Alternative Transportation: Putting It Together

En español | Now that you know your options for getting around without your car, what’s stopping you? Consider:
• Going car-lite is a choice millions of people make every day, whether or not they have a driver’s license.
• When taking the bus, exit a stop or two early and walk the rest of the way. Or ride your bike to the bus and load it on the rack to finish your trip.
• Go “car-lite” and alternate car trips with other modes of transportation. In two-car households, using transportation options may allow you to keep one car and sell the other—or sell both cars and rent one when needed. You can also try convenient car-sharing services that allow you to use a car for short periods when you need it most.
• To stay safe while driving, check out the AARP Driver Safety Program. This online or classroom program will help you become aware of changes in your driving abilities as you age and may qualify you for an insurance discount.
• For those times when you do drive, it’s important your car is configured to your needs. CarFit, a program that AARP helped develop, offers a 12-point checklist to help you see how well your car “fits” you for proper seating, clear sight lines, and more.
• Most important of all, have a backup plan in case driving is not possible, either temporarily or long term, or if family members or neighbors are unavailable to drive you. Try a new way of getting around now, before you need to. You might find you like it better than driving!

AARP is part of the National Complete Streets Coalition, a movement to help ensure that roads and sidewalks work for all users—pedestrians, bicyclists, and transit riders of all ages and abilities—as well as for drivers. Complete Streets policies have been adopted in more than 100 communities across the country, often with the help of AARP volunteers. Consider becoming part of a local or state Complete Streets effort.