Living Car Free - Want to live car free, but don't know how....

Hi everyone. I live in central ky in a city called Berea. It is about 40 miles away from from the next "big" city, which is Lexington. I work in the restaurant industry, in Berea there aren't any good paying jobs, or jobs that are worth anything for career advancement. I am forced to go to Lexington to get a job, which means I either have to take the interstate for 30 miles or take a back road for the same distance just to make it to the outskirts of the city. In theory I would like to drive the interstate part and bike the rest of the way into wherever I work, but my family only has one car and we have two children under two, one being only a week old.

Not to mention that I don't want to drive, since I have been very car-lite for the past 6 months (driven 2 or 3 times maybe.) So I guess the other option is to find public transportation for the first part and stash my bike somewhere safe in Lexington and ride in the rest of the way, or take the bike with me on the public transportation and bike in the rest of the way. Either way what is a good way to find public transportation in the area?

As far as I know there isn't a bus system or train system, but I could be mistaken. Anyone live near by and know of anything?

You find public transportation by looking up the city in question on the internet and finding their transit link.

Here ... http://www.lexingtonky.gov/

And here ... http://www.lextranonthemove.org/

Did you really not know how to do that? Or did you think it would somehow be more complicated?

Move to where the jobs are.

I grew up in a rural area, across from 160 acres of apple orchard. There was a 50 acre wheat field behind us. My best friend lived on 30 acres.

Fast-forward 40 years and I was astonished at how well I took to city living. Of course, my apartment building is also directly across the street from several acres of the back lawn at the Memorial Art Gallery. Still, I like that I can choose between feet, bike or bus to get everywhere I need to be. (Although I almost universally choose bike.)

As it happens, I'm within 100 yards of several of the city's top restaurants, clubs, cafés and bistros, and a few blocks east from another clump in the entertainment district, and a few blocks north from a street that's become sort of a restaurant row.

Edit: I see the bit about the kids now. I'm a half-mile from a public elementary school, a quarter mile from a charter school and a high school is across the the art gallery's lawn from me.

Another edit: As for the farm to table piece, I'm a quarter mile form the Public Market.

I don't doubt that there are neighborhoods like mine in every city. Just move there.

Hi everyone. I live in central ky in a city called Berea. It is about 40 miles away from from the next "big" city, which is Lexington. I work in the restaurant industry, in Berea there aren't any good paying jobs, or jobs that are worth anything for career advancement. I am forced to go to Lexington to get a job, which means I either have to take the interstate for 30 miles or take a back road for the same distance just to make it to the outskirts of the city. In theory I would like to drive the interstate part and bike the rest of the way into wherever I work, but my family only has one car and we have two children under two, one being only a week old.

Not to mention that I don't want to drive, since I have been very car-lite for the past 6 months (driven 2 or 3 times maybe.) So I guess the other option is to find public transportation for the first part and stash my bike somewhere safe in Lexington and ride in the rest of the way, or take the bike with me on the public transportation and bike in the rest of the way. Either way what is a good way to find public transportation in the area?

As far as I know there isn't a bus system or train system, but I could be mistaken. Anyone live near by and know of anything?

I have family in KY, in Lexington and in a smaller town, and I have to tell you, if you can be car-lite in Berea, you're doing remarkably well. Lexington itself isn't a very hard place to be car-free; it's not that big, it's fairly tolerant of bikes, being a college town, and has a bus system that isn't horrible. However, IMO, all bets are off once you leave Lexington or Louisville, and maybe Frankfort. As far as I can tell, from my own experience and the links that Machka helpfully provided, outside of KY's limited urban areas, you're kind of on your own as far as transportation is concerned (or maybe there's a van pool if you work at the Toyota plant in Georgetown). My suggestions are:

1. Do what tsl advises and just move closer to Lexington (I'd much rather live there than in Berea anyway, to be honest); or
2. Stop worrying, and continue being car-lite, confident in the knowledge that you're living more lightly on the Earth and getting a lot more exercise than most people in the Bluegrass State; or
3. Get a job closer to home (not at all easily done at the moment, I admit).

You find public transportation by looking up the city in question on the internet and finding their transit link.

Here ... http://www.lexingtonky.gov/

And here ... http://www.lextranonthemove.org/

Did you really not know how to do that? Or did you think it would somehow be more complicated?

Well I thought it would be more complicated, but that still doesn't answer my question, because that is public transportation for inside Lexington city limits, not from berea to lexington...which is where my problem is.

As far as moving closer to lexington, we live in berea while my wife finishes school here, so she can walk to school, and the day care is in our back yard...literally. We live in the ecovillage...look it up, pretty cool place. And I have worked pretty much every restaurant related job in Berea worth anything...which sucks for me.

As far as moving closer to lexington, we live in berea while my wife finishes school here, so she can walk to school, and the day care is in our back yard...literally. We live in the ecovillage...look it up, pretty cool place. And I have worked pretty much every restaurant related job in Berea worth anything...which sucks for me.

Yeah, people always glibly suggest moving without a clue that it might actually be better to stay where you are.

Anyway, can you cycle to the edge of lexington and then take transit? Or drive partway to lexington and then cycle the rest of the way?

You might also search to see if there's a greyhound route, or something similar, out your way.

Yeah, people always glibly suggest moving without a clue that it might actually be better to stay where you are.

Anyway, can you cycle to the edge of lexington and then take transit? Or drive partway to lexington and then cycle the rest of the way?

You might also search to see if there's a greyhound route, or something similar, out your way.

I would cycle to the edge of Lexington, but there is only one way to get there and it is WAY too dangerous to do. In the original post I explained why I can't take the car...I have done some research on public transportation from berea to lexington and it doesn't exist...as far as I can find anyway.

This has to be the sh**yest catch 22 ever...

Just found out that I could theoretically take the Greyhound from Berea to Lexington and back everyday...for 40 dollars a day :eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek:

See if your county has a ride share program. You might be able to find someone to commute with, maybe someone that has or would be willing to throw a bike rack on the car so you could bike around Lexington.

Is riding a motorcycle an option for you?

Don't have a motorcycle license, or the money for one...so I guess not. I guess the simple fact of the matter is that I will have to drive at least part of the way. I have a friends house that I could store my bike/car at when either is not being used, then take the bike home with me for my days off, but it is so much trouble to go through.

Put up some notices/signs around town, see if anyone in town works in or around Lexington and is willing to give you a ride. Offer to split gas money or trade yard work, odd jobs, etc. in exchange. Don't give up, there is always a way.

A perfect case of someone who'd like to go car-free but, realistically, can't.

Somehow there are people here who just can't comprehend it. Of course, they tend to live within walking distance of everything they need, too.

Put up some notices/signs around town, see if anyone in town works in or around Lexington and is willing to give you a ride. Offer to split gas money or trade yard work, odd jobs, etc. in exchange. Don't give up, there is always a way.

You may be able to find a ride online. Try carpoolworld or maybe craigslist. Yeah, its a tough spot. You may need to wait to go carfree.

KY has some cold weather in the Winter. I'd say if you need to travel 30 miles to anther city for work, car free isn't an option for you. Even a motorcycle isn't an option in the Winter, when temps are well below freezing.

Shoot for car free or car lite in Berea, & use the car to drive to Lexington.

A perfect case of someone who'd like to go car-free but, realistically, can't.

Somehow there are people here who just can't comprehend it. Of course, they tend to live within walking distance of everything they need, too.

+1

Sometimes it just can't be done during certain periods of our lives.

+1

Sometimes it just can't be done during certain periods of our lives.

Ah well. I guess being car free can wait a year or so, car lite for now. It would be nice to find a good paying job in Berea, but that will never happen. I can't wait to get out. My next year is going to be trying to find a place to move after the wife graduates, and it sure isn't going to in KY. I'd like to move to Cali, but that is WAY too expensive...but that is another time another thread.

Don't have a motorcycle license, or the money for one...so I guess not. I guess the simple fact of the matter is that I will have to drive at least part of the way. I have a friends house that I could store my bike/car at when either is not being used, then take the bike home with me for my days off, but it is so much trouble to go through.

Assuming you already have a regular licence & a car, wouldn't a motorcycle licence just be an additional endorsement on your dl? But, you'd probably have to take a course, addtl insurance....etc

Don't have a motorcycle license, or the money for one....

An econobeater bike would open your horizons
(i am a motorcycle salesman)

+1

Sometimes it just can't be done during certain periods of our lives.

Well, you find that out by asking on a forum like this and evaluating the things car free people have actually done and entering into a conversation with people who have made the transition. Why denounce car-free people who respond to a sincere question with factual answers as "un-comprehending"? I think most of us recognize that when a person makes a bunch of decisions toward car-dependence it takes a while to get out of the situation. It doesn't seem much different from any other series of bad decisions, like eating too much or smoking, it takes effort and time to undo the damage.

Moving a family takes effort but as a military brat who's family moved frequently and ended up in Florida where many non-military families have moved from far away, moving within a 30 mile radius doesn't seem so far fetched. The family across the street from me, when I was a kid packed up and moved from Buffalo NY. Dad sold the stuff, packed wife and 3 kids on a sail boat. I've kept in touch with two of the kids and all three seem to be living a good life. Here in DC I've met people who have moved families from all over the world- some willingly and some with huge trauma. I'm not suggesting traumatizing a family, just that compared to those kinds of experiences, moving a days bike ride doesn't seem like an outrageous suggestion given the information in the initial post.

moving a days bike ride doesn't seem like an outrageous suggestion given the information in the initial post.

Except that ... chances are the OP has thought of that idea already and has discarded it for some very valid reasons.

A perfect case of someone who'd like to go car-free but, realistically, can't.

Somehow there are people here who just can't comprehend it. Of course, they tend to live within walking distance of everything they need, too.
That's because that's where they choose to live. Others choose to live in the boondocks and have limited transit options.

What about something like this (http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&saddr=KY-595%2FWalnut+Meadow+Rd&daddr=KY-595%2FWalnut+Meadow+Rd+to:Mayde+Rd+to:Caleast+Rd+to:Caleast+Rd%2FMenelaus+Rd+to:Caleast+Rd%2FMenelau s+Rd+to:KY-52%2FLancaster+Ave+to:KY-169%2FTates+Creek+Rd+to:37.836903,-84.424438+to:KY-1974%2FTates+Creek+Rd+to:KY-1974%2FTates+Creek+Rd&hl=en&geocode=FSRqPQId0Mz5-g%3BFV6vPQIdror5-g%3BFSjoPQId8pb5-g%3BFdgZPgIdxKH5-g%3BFbqhPgIdkmP5-g%3BFagbPwId_jD5-g%3BFeT3PwIdVLL5-g%3BFaJhQAIdvHP4-g%3B%3BFdSHQgIdkjT3-g%3BFY5eQwIdOK72-g&mra=dme&mrcr=6,7&mrsp=8&sz=11&via=7&sll=37.870517,-84.343414&sspn=0.355033,0.611801&ie=UTF8&ll=37.776142,-84.263763&spn=0.710971,1.223602&z=10)? If you can ride 80 miles a day, that is. Snicker.

A perfect case of someone who'd like to go car-free but, realistically, can't.

Somehow there are people here who just can't comprehend it. Of course, they tend to live within walking distance of everything they need, too.

I'm pretty sure that's a non-issue on this forum. Everybody seem to realize that many regions have antiquated infrastructure that makes carfree living impractical in that region. However, the OP did specifically request assistance with at least becoming less dependent on cars, and tsl and others were kind enough to offer some suggestions. At least that's how I comprehend it.

What about something like this (http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&saddr=KY-595%2FWalnut+Meadow+Rd&daddr=KY-595%2FWalnut+Meadow+Rd+to:Mayde+Rd+to:Caleast+Rd+to:Caleast+Rd%2FMenelaus+Rd+to:Caleast+Rd%2FMenelau s+Rd+to:KY-52%2FLancaster+Ave+to:KY-169%2FTates+Creek+Rd+to:37.836903,-84.424438+to:KY-1974%2FTates+Creek+Rd+to:KY-1974%2FTates+Creek+Rd&hl=en&geocode=FSRqPQId0Mz5-g%3BFV6vPQIdror5-g%3BFSjoPQId8pb5-g%3BFdgZPgIdxKH5-g%3BFbqhPgIdkmP5-g%3BFagbPwId_jD5-g%3BFeT3PwIdVLL5-g%3BFaJhQAIdvHP4-g%3B%3BFdSHQgIdkjT3-g%3BFY5eQwIdOK72-g&mra=dme&mrcr=6,7&mrsp=8&sz=11&via=7&sll=37.870517,-84.343414&sspn=0.355033,0.611801&ie=UTF8&ll=37.776142,-84.263763&spn=0.710971,1.223602&z=10)? If you can ride 80 miles a day, that is. Snicker.

Why are you snickering at that idea of riding 80 miles a day?

Why are you snickering at that idea of riding 80 miles a day?
Because I'm a wuss who commutes 9 miles a day round-trip. :roflmao2:

Kylejack---I have considered that, but that is the route that I was saying earlier is too dangerous to cycle. There is one 4 mile section of the road that is so narrow I would NEVER take a bike on it. Semi trucks and logging trucks fly down the road and I am not risking my life just to be car free.

My wife and I have discussed possibly moving to Lexington around the end of next month, so I can just bike everywhere and she can have the car to drive to school and back. This would also allow me to get a decent job.

Lexington has a bus system, so you could bike/bus to get around.

Lexington has a bus system, so you could bike/bus to get around.

Yeah if I live there...but I don't yet. Actually all of the buses in the system have bike racks to accommodate cyclists. The problem is getting there.

Yeah if I live there...but I don't yet. Actually all of the buses in the system have bike racks to accommodate cyclists. The problem is getting there.

Ummm.....your post right above mine says that you and your wife have discussed moving there at the end of next month.

Ummm.....your post right above mine says that you and your wife have discussed moving there at the end of next month.

Ummm... I think his first two posts in this thread shows that he already knows about Lexington's bus system. Your info, while meant to be helpful, isn't anything new.

Ummm... I think his first two posts in this thread shows that he already knows about Lexington's bus system. Your info, while meant to be helpful, isn't anything new.

Actually he wrote in his first post that he didn't know if there was public transportation:


As far as I know there isn't a bus system or train system, but I could be mistaken. Anyone live near by and know of anything?

Your info isn't even correct, but keep talking....someday you'll say something intelligent.

Actually he wrote in his first post that he didn't know if there was public transportation:

And by the second post, he did. It's helpful, sometimes, if you read.



Your info isn't even correct, but keep talking....someday you'll say something intelligent.

You couldn't even intelligently supply him with links to the transportation system like I did.

Actually he wrote in his first post that he didn't know if there was public transportation:

He's talking about public transportation between cities. He later found that he could do Greyhound at $40 a pop.

In his second post (http://www.bikeforums.net/showpost.php?p=8058223&postcount=5) (which I mentioned, in case you can't ****ing read), he said:


Well I thought it would be more complicated, but that still doesn't answer my question, because that is public transportation for inside Lexington city limits, not from berea to lexington...which is where my problem is.

Have you even READ this damned thread? No? Oh well.

And by the second post, he did. It's helpful, sometimes, if you read.




You couldn't even intelligently supply him with links to the transportation system like I did.

That would be redundant since you already did, now wouldn't it??

And what was it I did to you, to incite you to come on here and criticize me?

That would be redundant since you already did, now wouldn't it??

And what was it I did to you, to incite you to come on here and criticize me?

Since you knew that ... it was redundant and pointless for you to reply at all ... and especially to come in and criticize the OP.

That would be redundant since you already did, now wouldn't it??

And what was it I did to you, to incite you to come on here and criticize me?

Giving less information while being oblivious to previous posts is entirely unhelpful. Even metalchef knows more about this than you do.

My wife and I have discussed possibly moving to Lexington around the end of next month, so I can just bike everywhere and she can have the car to drive to school and back. This would also allow me to get a decent job.

In the OP's post, he states that if he and his family move to Lexington, KY he can bike everywhere. That's great, Lexington can be traversed by bicycle. However, it's much bigger than Berea, and it's been a pretty severe Winter so this guy may have second thoughts about just 'biking' everywhere once he gets there. So there is a point to my post that he can 'bike/bus', it wasn't to advise him of public transportation, it was to advise him he can mix it up if he needs to.

Maybe you should work on your reading comprehension. And just for the record Barracks criticized me first before reading and comprehending what was said, just like you did!

And just for the record Barracks has paid attention to the thread.

Fixed.

^^^Hmmm,you've been paying attention....doubtful. More like you have selective reading comprehension!


You're right City_Smasher, I should have read this thread before responding.

Geesh chill out everyone. City Smasher, Barracks was correct in saying that I knew about the transportation in Lexington, but I now understand what you meant. Yes we are DISCUSSING moving to Lexington, but it isn't exactly clear whether we will or not. So my problem still stands as getting to and from Lexington.

I thank you for the advice, if I do move there I will most likely utilize the bus system during the winter, I have a feeling it will be a rough winter, around February.

I just have to make it through January...then hopefully we will move around the 1st of Feb. The major problems with moving then are the fact that I will not have met my agreement at my current place (1 year lease, will have been here for 7 months or so). Also my wife doesn't want to move there but if we do she says I have to succumb to living in ky for longer than the next year. I was planning on moving away from KY after she graduates...I'm sure I can convince her ;)

If you do move to Lexington, good luck. I'm car free and have been for some time. It's difficult at first, but it can be done in a city the size of Lexington. In good weather, you'd have no trouble getting around by bicycle alone, in a city that size.

Also my wife doesn't want to move there but if we do she says I have to succumb to living in ky for longer than the next year. I was planning on moving away from KY after she graduates...I'm sure I can convince her ;)

Actually, considering what I've seen as I've been dealing with one of the junior guys at work and how he can't seem to stay out of debt, I'd reconsider whether it's a good idea to move to Lexington at all. One of his main problems is that he's inexplicably moved twice in the past year -- once to move off-base with his new wife, and again to get into a house instead of an apartment. He's awfully close to filing for bankruptcy now (and it doesn't help that his wife's parents did it themselves, making it seem less problematic to her).

It's going to take a big chunk of cash to accomplish any move at all, and even if you bike everywhere you might not recoup that cash soon enough to move again so quickly like you're planning. Sometimes it's just better to stay in one place for another year or two, then make a big move when you've got the bank account to support it.

Actually, considering what I've seen as I've been dealing with one of the junior guys at work and how he can't seem to stay out of debt, I'd reconsider whether it's a good idea to move to Lexington at all. One of his main problems is that he's inexplicably moved twice in the past year -- once to move off-base with his new wife, and again to get into a house instead of an apartment. He's awfully close to filing for bankruptcy now (and it doesn't help that his wife's parents did it themselves, making it seem less problematic to her).

It's going to take a big chunk of cash to accomplish any move at all, and even if you bike everywhere you might not recoup that cash soon enough to move again so quickly like you're planning. Sometimes it's just better to stay in one place for another year or two, then make a big move when you've got the bank account to support it.

Metalchef87, I'd take this advice if I were you. Stay in Berea, make your wife happy, content yourself with being car-lite for now, and then move when she graduates. If you move next month, and then move quickly again, you'll be poorer, as BarracksSi points out, and, with less money in pocket and having just moved, your wife will be harder to convince that it's a good idea to leave KY.

Besides, car-lite is better than car-stuck.

I understand the financial situation of moving, but the problem is that there are not any jobs where I live. None, zip, zilch, zero. The economy has screwed so many people out of jobs as of late and in reality Lexington is the only place for me to go and get a job....stupid economy

A perfect case of someone who'd like to go car-free but, realistically, can't.

Somehow there are people here who just can't comprehend it. Of course, they tend to live within walking distance of everything they need, too.

I agree that the OP probably can't go car-free at this point in his life. However, it's not fair to assume that car-free people are unaware of the challenges/choices that people face in giving up cars for good. In my own case, going car-free was something I did with forethought. I ignored my real estate agent's "drive till you qualify" philosophy and chose to buy a modest condo in town instead of a house in the 'burbs. I chose a place a few miles from work, not too far from the waterfront, and with stores, restaurants, etc. within easy walking or riding distance. It's more expensive per square foot to live where I do, and I knew it going in, but I'm able to afford it because I live in a small space and I'm not paying for a car. In other words, my ability to go car-free wasn't a happy accident; I arranged it that way on purpose. I'm pretty sure that's what most car-free people do. It's not like car-free people are like a bunch of Scientologists, totally intolerant of choices other than the ones we made; it's just that being car-free requires choices that don't include living in Berea, KY and working in Lexington, unless you're willing to ride 80 miles on winding, narrow two-lane roads with no shoulder every day during the winter.

Gentlemen, please refrain from personal attacks. If you disagree with someone's position or option, fine, but do not attack them for it. If you can't put together a civil and well thought out response, keep thinking till you come up with one. ;)

Not sure what your wife is in school for, but I've lived in Louisville and I currently live in Cincinnati. Louisville was way more bike friendly that Cincy, but Cincy has a larger job market. If you all do decide to pack it all up and move next year, you might consider staying *somewhat* close to home. If so, let me know and I can give the you lowdown on the highlights of each location. :ride:

The move from Rural America or static economies, has been going on for decades.

40 miles is not all the unreasonable for a car. You usually have to move to the infrastructure in order to be car free or have a lot of time on your hands.