Car-free Transportation is Cooler in Greater Grand Forks

Car-free and car-light lifestyles are becoming more popular every year, especially with the growing number of work-from-home opportunities. The Greater Grand Forks area offers multiple cooler ways to get where you need to go, even without a car! Riding public transportation, cycling, and walking can be fun ways to engage with your community while also helping to promote an overall healthier lifestyle and better mental health.

Public transportation services in the Greater Grand Forks area provided by Cities Area Transit (CAT.) Whether you’re a student or a working professional, multiple routes throughout the city can help you get you where you need to go quickly.

If you’ve never taken public transportation, don’t worry! A complete How to Ride Guide is available to help you get started. You can also check out the Cities Area Transit homepage to schedule a personalized introduction.

Many routes are available to serve the entire city. While the Routes & Schedules page is available for a complete list of routes, I’ve found the CAT Prowler App to be extremely helpful in finding the closest routes and stops based on my current location. You can also manage your favorite stops and routes and stay connected with travel alerts to make it even easier. For example, UND Students can enjoy quick routes to campus from across the city via Routes 1, 5, 8, and 9.

For people with disabilities, all CAT buses are wheelchair accessible. The Dial-A-Ride Paratransit service is also available for people with disabilities that may make using the fixed-route bus system challenging. Check out the Dial-A-Ride homepage for more information on signing up and how to use it!

For a more active lifestyle, cycling and walking are excellent choices to get around. While being incredibly fun, integrating regular physical activity into your lifestyle can help improve physical and mental health.

Maintained year-round, Grand Forks has several multi-use paths that can make your commute fast while also being safely separated from car traffic. A detailed Bike Map showing the available routes can be found at Maps of Grand Forks.  Wherever you are in the city, a path is nearby to easily connect you to the rest of the city.

My favorite part of our cooler multi-use paths and mode-share routes are the sights and amenities along the journey. I enjoy riding along The Greenway which provides easy access to not only more than 20 miles of trails, but I can easily access the downtown areas of Grand Forks and East Grand Forks and their many shops, restaurants, and public parks.

Commuting by bicycle doesn’t have to just be for downtowners, however. Connecting to the rest of the city is easy with the paths along Gateway Drive and Columbia Road. These paths make it easy to access the UND Campus, the Ralph Engelstad Arena, as well as south end neighborhoods and business districts. If you’ve ever been stuck in traffic trying to leave the parking lot after a UND Hockey game, you’ll appreciate how nice it is to skip the line.

In addition to the designated multi-use paths, certain roads are also designated mode-share routes. These routes signal drivers through well-maintained, painted shared lane markings, colloquially known as ‘sharrows’ to expect bicyclists. Additionally, non-commercial districts allow bicyclists to use the sidewalk if you prefer.

For the winter months with heavy snowfall, studded tires can go a long way to keep you stable and safe. They’re not just for cars! I’ve always found it best to start the journey a little on the cold side as you will warm up as you travel. Breathable clothing, such as synthetic or wool fabrics, will help year-round, and dressing in layers will allow you to shed them as the temperature fluctuates.

When without a car, taxis and rideshare are always a cinch in a pinch! The Greater Grand Forks area is served by taxi services such as Grand Forks Taxi, S & S Taxi, as well as rideshare services Uber and Lyft. in the downtown area, designated rideshare drop zones help ensure a safe pickup experience while also mitigating traffic congestion.

The Greater Grand Forks area has several options for getting around town without a car. From accessible public transit to bicycling, being without a car doesn’t mean you’re without an exciting lifestyle! I hope you enjoy commuting across the area and finding your own special places to enjoy.