You don’t have to get a minivan or SUV when you have kids. In fact, many families don’t own vehicles at all. While it may be more challenging to herd young children on a bus or get them ready for a bike commute than it is to load them into a car, it’s often much more cost- effective and the kids have experiences that they wouldn’t if they were isolated from the outside world as they travel.

• Walk to nearby grocery stores, parks, or school.
• Bike to school, the library, or other destinations. There are supportive communities of family bikers in most areas of the country. They can help you think about what’s doable for your family’s circumstances, what kind of bike and other resources you’ll want (hint: family bikers tend to carry snacks), and what routes are most comfortable. Family biking looks different with young children in bike seats or trailers than it does with bigger kids on their own bikes; kids often enjoy the ride either way.
• Take the bus or subway. Young children, especially, seem to love public transit. Things that adults take for granted are exciting to them. Let your child pull the cord to indicate you want the next stop, or read the route map together. Preteens and teenagers can learn how to navigate transit while riding with you so that you can feel more comfortable letting them travel independently when appropriate.