Iief

I'm from the Inland Empire in California where the road system isn't really set up for biking, although it can be done in the denser parts of town. But it's such a big area that frankly biking is not very common out here.

I'm planning on moving to Seattle and a major contributing factor is the bike friendliness I've read about. I'm not the type to join bike clubs or go on recreational outings, but I do want to use biking as a car replacement, a way to integrate more healthful habits into the course of regular life. I'm a marketing consultant who works with small and midsize businesses, sometimes on premise. By relocating to Seattle, I'm hoping to find an environment where commuting to a good parts of the metro area by bike in less than 30 minutes is safe and realistic.

For those of you in the Seattle area, do you think someone sits living centrally has good access to a sizable part of the metro area by bike in less than 30 minutes? (I am okay with using a car to get to the outskirt areas)

cale

By all means but that doesn't mean it will be flat. There are both residential and commercial parts of the city that are located on top of some sizeable hills. If you're downtown and going to Capital Hill, you face a three or four hundred foot climb. Nothing for a commuter but you'll be sweaty at the meeting if you're running late.

Lots of people use the bus to lift their bikes using the bike racks on every bus.

Iief

Good to hear thanks. I've been out of biking for a while now and will not be confused with anyone who's in shape. So maybe I need to look into having a car on the side, or at the very least an electric assisted bike.

noglider 

I haven't lived in Seattle, but I've visited a few times, and the most recent time I rode a borrowed bike there. You can get many places by bike. I suggest you try that and rent a car whenever you need one. After a year, add up the money you've spent on rentals and see if buying a car would be justified. Chances are, it won't be.

There are some serious hills there, but you may do OK on them anyway.

spare_wheel

I lived on the top of capitol hill (near group health) for almost a decade. 30 mins was enough time for me to go just about anywhere in central seattle. And even outer neighborhoods like ballard, ranier, or west seattle were doable in 40-50 mins.

RoderWrench

I think if you don't already have one, a triple crank is in your future.