City Dwellers/Ppl that walk everywhere/bus riders - Page 4

[aolinsmama]

Woohoo! This thread Rocks!!!!! We have a car, but I play a little game with myself to see how much I *Don't* use it. We bus/max (forgot what to call this-like a subway but overground, for the most part anyway), bike and walk. We moved to where we are now specifically for these reasons. I absolutely adore it, like 99.9% of the time. And the little things that bug me (rudeness) well, I just don't let it get to me. I really like the slower pace, and not fighting traffic, that is Awesome!!! : for everyone here!

[calpurnia]

Why we don't have a car -
- we live walking distance of two bus stops, two train stations, & a underground station
- we can't afford all the payments on a car - MOT, insurance even before wear & tear & petrol
- traffic in this city is terrible
- I genuinely can't think of an occasion when having a car would make a difference to us. Even when we want to go out of town it's so much easier to get the train eg to see my parents is 3 hours on the train or 6 hours in the car.

Also we both grew up in cities using public transport without cars. So this is the normal way of living to us. Neither of us have ever owned a car.

[east carolina]

Originally Posted by choli

Boston is very walking friendly, but not at all car friendly IMO. I think that's a good thing in a city.

Prague is really car unfriendly too (think medieval city center) and parking is a nightmare and cars get ticketed and towed away all the time. Not to mention car theft, people with cars must count on their car getting broken into on a regular basis. But does that stop people? No way. There are more and more cards everyday it seems like. Every year the number of cars on the street and car owners goes up.

I really wish Prague would adopt measures like London did and enforce a huge toll on people who want to drive and park in the center. I don't see that happening anytime soon with the people running the city, though

[Draupadi]

Originally Posted by earthyamber

So, what does everyone do when walking when it is raining or cold? We have been car-less for about 5 months, so it has been warm and only rained once on us while walking. Here we get heavy snow! It is ultra cold, but we just bundle up. I worry about snow and rain. What do you all do?

We walk or take the subway or bus. It's getting harder now that DS is getting to heavy to mei tai, and I hate lugging the stroller on the subway. We'll make do, though.

[lah7]

I'd like to bus more than I do, but I've reached a compromise that works for me. I can't handle the idea of getting all three kids to the daycare on the bus. It's hard enough in the car. So I drive them there, and then park at the transit centre about 3 minutes from daycare, and take the bus for the rest of the day. We stop and do errands at the stores on the way home, if I haven't gotten them done downtown on my lunch break.

It's also heading into winter here and while I can handle waiting for a bus at -25F, I'm less inclined to stand there with three griping kids! We walk where we can in the warmer weather, but biking and walking is just beyond my comfort zone for about 5 months of the year.

Funny story: when we first moved into our house, when DD1 was 5, we were finally close enough to walk to some places. And the kids were unhappy about walking to the rec centre for their swimming lessons, but we did it anyways. Seriously, it was a 30 minute walk at a 3 year old's pace! Well, DD broke her arm in our backyard and we were getting ready to go to the hospital and she looks at me and says "Are we going to walk?! Can we pleeeease take the car?!" I guess i'm not crunchy enough to make my daughter walk to the ER!

[rachelsmama]

Hi, we're a carfree family. We live pretty close to a lot of buses, and a grocery store (on purpose) and we can all walk pretty far (except ds of course). I love it (most of the time). Dd is very social and loves to chat with people on the bus, or crossing the street, it really takes the pressure off of me to entertain her all the time .

[east carolina]

Originally Posted by WilliamsMama

We walk or take the subway or bus. It's getting harder now that DS is getting to heavy to mei tai, and I hate lugging the stroller on the subway. We'll make do, though.

I remember that phase! It was so annoying. He wouldn't want to walk much and would still take naps in the stroller. As he got heavier, I had a lightweight stroller but it was still a PITA to carry it up and down the steps to the metro. Next time around I am getting a stroller with big wheels so I can just push it slowly down the stairs and not actually have to lift it.

Now DS is 3.5 and he walks, sometimes slowly, sometimes unwillingly, sometimes happily. He also has a scooter and a bicycle, so sometimes we take those when we go out and then it's much faster.

[calpurnia]

Originally Posted by east carolina

I really wish Prague would adopt measures like London did and enforce a huge toll on people who want to drive and park in the center. I don't see that happening anytime soon with the people running the city, though

Ugh, & with our new Mayor in charge in London they are scrapping hte increased congestion charge! So angry about that.

[east carolina]

I heard about that! Grrrrr..... I would be mad, too. Don't mess with progress

[HarperRose]

So how's it going, ladies? I'm finding myself quite chilly in the mornings when I walk to school w/ kids.

[earthgirl]

Originally Posted by Justthatgirl

So how's it going, ladies? I'm finding myself quite chilly in the mornings when I walk to school w/ kids.

Cold I can deal with. Now walking to the store in freezing cold rain only to get there and find out their cash registers are not working for the THIRD visit in a row- now that makes for one cranky pedestrian.

[east carolina]

I got a pair of hiking boots last winter, and I've been wearing them alot now that the weather is really cold. They have vibram soles, and I cannot recommend them enough. Serious walking shoes and they keep my feet nice and warm while I'm sitting on the playground bench while DS plays.

So this is my winter tip for all of us walking people (in cold climates): good shoes with thick soles.

[AndrewsMother]

Does anyone else have trouble keeping their 2 to 3 year old content on the bus. Riding the bus with DH is sheer torture. I now refuse to ride the bus with him if the trip is longer then 20 minutes.....needless to say we have not gone anywhere all week. We can't go anywhere worth going in this town in less than 40 minutes, really an hour via public transportation.

I need ideas.

[HarperRose]

Originally Posted by earthgirl

Cold I can deal with. Now walking to the store in freezing cold rain only to get there and find out their cash registers are not working for the THIRD visit in a row- now that makes for one cranky pedestrian.

Oh, indeed! :

[HarperRose]

Originally Posted by east carolina

I got a pair of hiking boots last winter, and I've been wearing them alot now that the weather is really cold. They have vibram soles, and I cannot recommend them enough. Serious walking shoes and they keep my feet nice and warm while I'm sitting on the playground bench while DS plays.

So this is my winter tip for all of us walking people (in cold climates): good shoes with thick soles.

Nice!

We live in TX but we do get cold days in Dec & Jan and some into Feb.

(At least I have a really short Seasonal Affective Disorder season! Not like CT where I grew up. Winter lasted Oct-March!)

[HarperRose]

Originally Posted by AndrewsMother

Does anyone else have trouble keeping their 2 to 3 year old content on the bus. Riding the bus with DH is sheer torture. I now refuse to ride the bus with him if the trip is longer then 20 minutes.....needless to say we have not gone anywhere all week. We can't go anywhere worth going in this town in less than 40 minutes, really an hour via public transportation.

I need ideas.

New books or toys? Something that only comes out during bus rides?

[earthgirl]

Originally Posted by AndrewsMother

Does anyone else have trouble keeping their 2 to 3 year old content on the bus. Riding the bus with DH is sheer torture. I now refuse to ride the bus with him if the trip is longer then 20 minutes.....needless to say we have not gone anywhere all week. We can't go anywhere worth going in this town in less than 40 minutes, really an hour via public transportation.

I need ideas.

We seldom ride the bus, but DD is pretty content w/ books and snacks.

[AndrewsMother]

I have purchased new books/toys just before boarding the bus and that does not help. he wants to pull the bell and move from seat to seat, but neither is practical. My DS is a very willful child.

[earthgirl]

Originally Posted by AndrewsMother

I have purchased new books/toys just before boarding the bus and that does not help. he wants to pull the bell and move from seat to seat, but neither is practical. My DS is a very willful child.

Well, that kind of sucks. Wish I had more advice for you. We are lucky enough to be able to walk most places, but that sounds like it's not an option for you.

[east carolina]

Well, the buses in our city are very crowded. But DS really loves them. I try to bring a snack and a matchbox car (or two or three! lol) if he gets antsy. He usually wants to sit by the window or all the way in the back, sometimes he wants to switch seats, but like I said, it may not be possible if the bus is too crowded. The newer trams have buttons to open the door, and I let him push it just once whenever the doors close. That got us into trouble the last time because the tram driver came out and asked us not to do that, but I think it was because in this particular tram he would get a signal in his cab, which is not the case in most buses and trams.

Also, up until very recently, whenever we sat down anywhere on public transport he would want to nurse. But he's almost 4 and with all our winter coats on, it's a bit more of a PITA to nurse him and thankfully he is starting to get it and not ask.

So I guess my advice is bring small toys, try to get a seat at the window or ask him if he wants to nurse (if he's still nursing). And I'm sure it'll get better as he gets used to it. My DS definitely does better on trams, buses and trains than cars, but he's not as used to riding in cars and even that is getting better as he gets older.