From the moment I turned 16, I drove myself everywhere.  I had to.  I lived in suburbia.  I had no idea what it was like to live without a car–that is until I moved away to college.  I left the heart of the Inland Empire and headed into the depths of the Redwood Curtain.   Unfortunately, my car could not come with me.  Maybe it was the 700-mile drive to school, or it could have been the limited parking on campus, or it may have even been the over-inflated prices at the pump. But no matter what, I decided it was best to leave my beloved hunk of junk at home.   Saying goodbye wasn’t the hard part, it was coming to the realization that I would have to learn how to survive for four years without a car.

As it turns out, there are actually quite a few options for people who must survive without a car.  I say “must” because I can relate, but there are actually some people out there who choose to live without a vehicle and they seem to be doing just fine, as well.   When stranded without a car, there are always other options—one can take a bus, bum a ride, ride a bike, or hoof it.

Taking the Bus

The local bus system isn’t as great as one you might find in a large metropolitan city, like San Francisco or Los Angeles, but it seems to get the job done.  The Arcata and Mad River Transit System (A&MRTS) runs its routes on weekdays and Saturdays.   Students can ride for free with a flash of their current student identification card and fare is only $1 for the general public.

For people traveling outside of Arcata, there is the Redwood Transit System.  The RTS runs daily, except for Sundays, and has a wide variety of stops, including the HSU library.  Full bus schedules can be viewed at www.hta.org.

Riding Your Bike

There are a few different types of two-wheelers that can be used to commute to and from school and work.  A road bike is very light and takes the least amount of energy to power.  Mountain bikes are another possibility and can have multiple uses in Humboldt County.   They can be used for everyday transportation but can also be used for adventure on many of the public riding trails in local forest areas.  Mountain bikes take a lot more energy to power, though.  There are also cruiser bicycles, which are less efficient than a road bike but are more efficient than a mountain bike.

Byron Stocum of Revolution Bicycle Repair in Arcata, recommends the Giant Cypress SX for commuting.  The bike sells for around $600, comes in a range of sizes from 15 inches to 23 inches, and has nine speeds.  The frame is aluminum to keep it lighter in weight and its manufacturer boasts that it was designed with “ideal body position geometry.”   The Cypress SX is a hybrid bicycle, which is a cross between a mountain and a road bike. They can handle difficult terrain but are still useful for long-distance rides and are usually pretty comfortable.

For those looking for a less expensive alternative, some communities offer bicycle exchange programs like the Arcata Community Green Bike Program, which allows people to rent bikes for a nominal fee.

Bicycles can be an ideal source of transportation because they are usually a fairly inexpensive investment, provide an excellent means of exercise, and don’t pollute the environment. But of course it is still important to remember safety while commuting on a bike.  

Hoofing It

According to Wendy Bumgardner, a certified marathon coach and consultant for walking.about.com, the best kind of walking shoe is the one that fits the best and gives the proper support, flexibility and cushioning.  Each person’s feet are different so there cannot be a specific prescription for a single type of miracle shoe.   When searching for the right shoe, it is best to keep in mind such factors as your walking distance, speed, style, and surface, as well as your weight and stride.

A good pair of walking shoes may cost a chunk of change, but the investment is worth it.  And always think of comfort over fashion.  There is nothing worse than an uncomfortable pair of shoes.

When looking for a good pair of shoes, Peter Dauphinee, manager of Jogg’n Shoppe in Arcata, recommends avoiding the run-of-the-mill retail outlets.  He suggests heading to a non-corporate establishment that employs experts on shoe fitting and specialize in running and walking shoes.   The employees at Jogg’n Shoppe watch the customer’s foot motion and analyze the wear patterns on the soles of old shoes in order to help select the perfect shoe.  Also, technical representatives visit Jogg’n Shoppe on a monthly basis to train its employees on how they can help customers select the perfect shoe.

When heading out to search for shoes, bring the socks you usually wear while walking to put on while trying on the shoes.  According to Bumgardner, the right size for walking shoes will be a size to a size and a half larger than your dress shoes because your feet swell when you walk.   And because of the swelling, you should try on shoes later in the day or right after walking around for a bit.  Also, never assume that you can “wear them in.” Shoes should feel great on your feet immediately.

While there may not be one specific brand or style that’s the best shoe to buy, Dauphinee noted that New Balance is the best selling brand at his store because of its wide variety of styles and the fact that they come in four to six different widths. Their prices range from $30 to $200, depending on the style and purpose.  Another brand name with rising popularity is Mizuno.  According to Running-Shoes-Online, Mizuno running shoes are rapidly becoming one of the most highly regarded brands in the industry, having received five Editors’ Choice Awards from Runner’s World magazine.   Mizuno shoes range in price from $70 to $120.

Bumming a Ride

For anyone with any pride, begging for a ride can be a very difficult task.  It sometimes takes a little skill and a dab of charm to convince those who have a car to take kindly to you, the non-motorist.  It is always beneficial to keep your ears open for key words and phrases from people who own cars, like “I’ve got some time to kill,” “I sure could use some extra gas money,” and “I’m really bored right now.”   This is a prime opportunity to take advantage of their situation and use this opportunity to offer a solution to the car owner’s problems.  Slyly suggest that dropping you off at the mall could cure their boredom and add that your engaging conversational skills are better than any radio station.

Or use the barter system.  Offer a home-cooked meal in exchange for a ride to the library.  Or you can trade homework help and tutoring for a lift to the grocery store.

Those who do own a car usually don’t mind coming to the aid of the stranded, and in some circles of friends, the few with cars will assume their role as taxi driver without much convincing.  Bumming a ride is always about timing, skill, and of course, a great puppy dog pout.

The Benefits

While some might never understand how others survive without a car, living without an automobile actually has its benefits.  And while it’s wonderful that the environment benefits greatly from one less car on the road, everyone should remember that one’s pocketbook benefits even more. The price of gas, maintenance and insurance for a fledgling driver really adds up.

With gas in the area priced at about $2.00 per gallon, someone driving from Eureka to Arcata five days a week for school will travel 320 miles in a month.  A typical new 4-door car gets an average of 25 miles to the gallon and has a 12-gallon gas tank.   So this all works out to about $26 each month just to get to school and back, not including any other outings.

There are also maintenance costs, which depend on the vehicle.  A clunker could be the cause of a constant stream of payments to the body shop.  Oil changes every 3,000 miles can cost anywhere from $20 to $40.  New breaks can run $90 to $250 for parts and labor and tires can cost at least $150 to $200 for a small economy car, with larger vehicles demanding larger and more expensive tires.   On average, general maintenance of a vehicle can cost between $350 and $500 per year.  Unexpected mishaps like accidents and breakdowns can add extra expenses.

Insurance varies by the company.  But no matter what, a new driver is always pricier than someone who’s got some mileage under his or her belt.  A first-time driver can spend somewhere along the lines of $1,000 to $2,400 each year on car insurance.   Prices vary by company, the sex of the driver, and the driver’s history on the road.  Along the lines of insurance is vehicle registration.  One can expect to fork over between $100 and $600 each year to the Department of Motor Vehicles, depending on the make, model, and year of the car.

As for me, I’ve survived the last three years by combining the “bum a ride” with the “hoof it” method.