Alternatives to Driving

One of the things I was most excited about upon coming to USC was being able to travel around the city. Downtown is such a vibrant place to be and I really didn’t want to miss out on my experience. Being from Texas, it was difficult for me to transport my car to Los Angeles. Not having my car at school, I was worried about not being able to get around my new home.

Move in day of freshman year I bought a bike from the UV bike store. It’s green and rusty but I still love it. It has a large basket that I can use to carry my backpack and groceries. I recommend buying a bike with a basket! I’m very happy about my purchase. I take my bike everywhere such as to class, to the grocery store, to the UV, to friends apartments and more.

Having a bike made me realize that having a car is not a necessity. The metro line is readily available to students. Luckily, The Expo Line is adjacent to the campus and there are several different bus lines available as well. I often travel to Downtown by bus and arrive there within 10 to 15 minutes. Also Zipcar and the comparable student car-sharing program, Wheelz, are available as well.

All in all, I don’t think a car is necessary! I’ve been fine for a year and a half without it. Plus, not having a car means I never have to sit in LA traffic, which is definitely a plus!