Where I live I am set for alternative transportation if I wish. Walking, bike riding, Bus, taxi.
Walking - we can get almost anything we need by walking. It is common to see people walking with bags. Hubby has walked to work for the past 9 years rain, shine and snow ( he once asked for a ride home when there was a sudden rain that flooded the streets. His shoes would have been ruined. When the children went to the local elementary we waked to school everyday. We can walk to the grocery store, dollar general, salvation army thrift, eye doctor, jewelery store,church, post office, restraunts, convenience store, pet store, craft store, music store, book store, drug store, the university,bike shop, library, parks, and some I can't think of now. The hospital/doctors offices are in walking distance but not if you were feeling poorly.
Riding bikes - this is common in our town too. Drivers are use to sharing the road with bikes even young riders.The town is getting some bike lanes. they have bike racks all over downtown to chain up your bike.
Buses - there is a city bus with regular routes. It goes to all the grocery stores, walmart, the mall, goodwill, salvation army, doctors offices, hospital, social security office, health department. I can catch the west route one street to my west and the east route one street to me east. LOL perfect spot to live. You can pay one way ( $1.25)or get punch cards or buy unlimited passes. Family passes are $60 a month unlimited rides for all in the family. Children under 5 are free as they need a caregiver Children over 5 may ride by themselves.
School bus - picks up for free any child living more that 1 1/2 miles from school. My children can ride the bus to school, however Buddy's cello can not we would have to find alternative transportation for it on Mondays to school and Fridays home. I do know one girl that got special permission to have her cello ride in the luggage section on the bus. I sure that had to be prearranged and get special permission to do so. ( the school has also been know to provide a cello to use at school that way you can keep yours at home.) The school bus also has late buses for after sports practice and other after school activities. The bus also makes a special round on school dance nights to take students to the dance and back after the dance. Our school district doesn’t want any students missing out because they can't get a ride.
And if all those fail you then you can all call a taxi.