Shopping for bulky items can be one of the challenges of living car free. Here are three of the best ways I've found for dealing with the problem.
I have spent about half my working life without a car- not just in New York where I now live, but in more auto-oriented cities such as Buffalo, Cleveland, Atlanta (for my first year or so there) and Jacksonville, Florida (for my first few months there). In those days, I would occasionally be asked: "But how do you deal with groceries"? In fact, I just read a newspaper column that seemed to lampoon concerns about walkability by raising the "how can you walk from the grocery store" trump card.
Admittedly, you can't carry as much in your hands as in a car- even if you save some strain on your hands by riding transit for part of the distance. But I personally have developed three ways of dealing with this problem. First, I sometimes just shop more often, and buy less food at a time. This worked best in Toronto, where there were lots and lots of grocery stores within walking distance of either my apartment or public transit. Similarly, in Queens I often employ this strategy because I love only a block and a half from a grocery store, and a few blocks from others.
Second, I have brought a suitcase or rolling cart to stuff groceries in (or alternatively, a really large trash bag). This strategy might look awkward, but seems more appropriate for longer trips when I want to buy more stuff (for example, if I am going to an unusual grocery store in another neighborhood, like Pomegranate in Brooklyn).
Third, I sometimes just buy a ton of groceries and take a taxicab home. This strategy works best in more auto-oriented cities like Jacksonville and Atlanta, where the nearest grocery is close enough for a cab ride to be relatively cheap, but far enough away that I wouldn't want to walk home with more than two or three grocery bags.*
*And to those of you who bicycle (which I don't): feel free to add your own thoughts.
Where 2024 Presidential Candidates Stand on 12 Issues Important to Urban Planners
Whether you’re yet undecided or have already cast your early vote, here is a roundup of the key positions of Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump on important urban planning policies.
Amtrak Expanding Service in California’s Central Valley
Amtrak is planning a major expansion to the passenger rail lines connecting the Central Valley and the Bay Area.
Commentary: How Can We Solve America’s Affordable Housing Crisis? CDFIs are the Key
As financial institutions whose mission is to support underserved communities, community development financial institutions can be key partners to ensure public-private efforts to build affordable housing pencil out.
Addressing Orphan Wells for Environmental Justice
Remediating and repurposing some orphan oil and gas wells into parks can turn environmental hazards into community assets, promoting health, environmental justice, and accessible green space for underserved areas.
Biden Administration Moves to Protect Alaskan Refuge From Drilling
The administration is taking quick action to cement some of Biden’s key environmental accomplishments before the new Trump administration takes the reins.
Denver Slaughterhouse Measure Reveals Impacts of Meat Industry
Voters did not approve a measure that would have closed a slaughterhouse that is key to the nation’s lamb production.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
University of Southern California
City of Meridian
University of Calgary
HUDs Office of Policy Development and Research
HUDs Office of Policy Development and Research
HUDs Office of Policy Development and Research
Detroit Regional Partnership
San Joaquin LAFCo
City of South Portland