If you live in Los Angeles, you know how many cars are on the road. Highways and surface streets are often crowded with commuters almost all hours of the day. Traffic congestion not only causes many people to lose hours on the road every day, it also contributes to the pollution and poor air quality that have plagued Los Angeles for decades. High car usage also puts a lot of wear and tear on city streets, leading to potholes and cracked pavement that can damage your car or cause accidents.

You might say, “Sure, I wish I didn’t have to drive my car everywhere, but what else can I do?” There are actually many ways to travel around Los Angeles without using a car. With a little advanced planning and a sense of adventure, you’ll discover that getting around Los Angeles without a car isn’t as impossible as you thought.

First, there is the expansive metrobus system. Buses run through all parts of the Los Angeles metropolitan area and are an inexpensive way to travel without a car. Traveling by bus has a variety of benefits. Most buses in Los Angeles run on compressed natural gas (CNG), which produces far less pollution than the typical car, truck, or SUV. Buses typically travel the same distance as cars in less time due to dedicated bus lanes. Also, as the price of gas continues to rise, a one-day bus pass will probably cost you less than the cost of gas to travel the same distance in your car.

Depending on where you live, another car-free travel option is the subway system. Using the Red Line, you can go from downtown Los Angeles to North Hollywood (passing the famous Hollywood walk of fame on the way). On the Blue Line, you can travel from downtown Los Angeles to South Los Angeles, Anaheim, and Long Beach. The Green Line will take you from Norwalk to the beaches of the South Bay and the recently completed Gold Line runs from Downtown to Pasadena. Traveling by train can take a little longer than driving your car, but it is much more relaxing than sitting in traffic, and many people enjoy the camaraderie that develops between those who travel on the same train every day.

Another way to get around Los Angeles without a car is ride the bicycle. Many major highways have bike lanes that allow cyclists to ride a safe distance from passing cars. Biking is also a great way to stay in shape and make the most of the beautiful Los Angeles weather. However, you should always take proper safety precautions when bicycling in heavy traffic. Wear a helmet, don’t listen to headphones (which could drown out police/ambulance sirens or a car honking at you), and always ride your bike on the road going in the same direction as traffic. Although drivers are used to sharing the road with bicycles, they will generally not be prepared for a bicyclist going the wrong way on the street or sidewalk, especially when they are turning.

Finally, don’t forget nature’s original form of transportation: your feet! Los Angeles is full of neighborhoods that lend themselves to walking. West Hollywood, Hollywood, Santa Monica, Downtown, Silverlake, Studio City and Beverly Hills are just a few of the areas where residents can walk to local restaurants, shops, bars and other businesses. Not only will you burn a few extra calories, but you’ll get a chance to see beautiful homes, interesting architecture, neighborhood parks, and other things you might otherwise have missed as you speed by in your car.

As you can see, it is not impossible to get around Los Angeles without a car. Even if you own a car, you can cut fuel costs, reduce traffic-related stress, and gain a new perspective on Los Angeles by alternating driving with one of the above methods of transportation. Give it a try!