Whenever I tell people I live in Los Angeles without a car, I usually get one of two reactions.
"Wait...how?"
Or...
"That sounds impossible."
The reality is a lot more interesting.
On a Tuesday evening, content creator and community advocate, TK, rides to meet up with a group in South L.A. for a Slauson Rail to Rail community bike ride. | photo: AROUNDwithTK
Living car-free in Los Angeles has given me a level of freedom I never expected. Instead of thinking about traffic, gas prices, parking, insurance, or maintenance, I spend my time discovering neighborhoods by train, bus, bicycle, and on foot. Every ride becomes part of the adventure instead of simply the commute.
That doesn't mean Los Angeles is perfect for people without cars.
But it is getting better.
One of the best recent examples is the Slauson Rail to Rail Pathway.
Experiencing the Pathway by Bike
I recently joined a Metro Bike Share community ride along the Slauson Rail to Rail Pathway. Riding with dozens of other cyclists transformed what could have been "just another bike ride" into a celebration of what Los Angeles can become.
Families rode together.
Neighbors gathered outside to wave.
People who might never have considered biking through South L.A. experienced the neighborhood from an entirely different perspective.
If you'd like to see what the ride looked like, I shared photos from the event in my Things to Do guide: Taco Tuesday, But on Bikes.
At the end of the Slauson Rail to Rail Ride, the Taco Tuesday portion of the community meetup had my full attention! | photo: AROUNDwithTK — Taco Tuesday, But on Bikes
Take a Bike Ride Across South LA
The ride reminded me that bicycles don't just move people—they connect communities.
A Pathway That Represents Something Bigger
The Slauson Rail to Rail Pathway isn't simply another bike lane.
It's part of a much bigger shift happening across Los Angeles.
Over the past several years, we've seen expanded Metro rail service, improved bike infrastructure, safer streets, and more investments that make walking, biking, and taking transit practical options for more Angelenos.
Each project might seem small on its own.
Together, they're changing what everyday life in Los Angeles can look like.
The Rail to Rail Pathway is especially exciting because it creates a dedicated space where people can bike, walk, run, roll, and simply enjoy being outside—without competing with cars every step of the way.
After reading about the pathway's grand opening last year, it was inspiring to finally experience it for myself and see how quickly the community has embraced it.
Car-Free Doesn't Mean Giving Something Up
People often think living without a car means making sacrifices.
I've found almost the opposite to be true.
I save money on car payments, insurance, fuel, parking, registration, and repairs.
Instead, I invest in experiences.
A Metro pass.
An occasional bike rental.
Coffee stops.
Exploring neighborhoods I might otherwise drive straight through.
When transportation becomes part of the adventure, everyday life feels a little richer.
Riding a bike through South L.A. with a group of strangers-turned-neighbors was infinitely more memorable than sitting in freeway traffic.
That's one of the hidden joys of active transportation.
It's economical.
It's healthier.
And it's genuinely fun.
Why This Matters for South Los Angeles
What made this pathway especially meaningful is where it was built.
For too long, communities in South Los Angeles have been overlooked when it comes to investments in public spaces and transportation infrastructure.
Projects like the Slauson Rail to Rail Pathway represent more than a recreational trail—they're investments in people.
Safe places to walk.
Safe routes to bike.
Connections between neighborhoods.
Opportunities for families to enjoy the outdoors together.
Infrastructure like this shouldn't be considered a luxury reserved for a few neighborhoods. It should be something every community can enjoy.
Seeing so many residents using the pathway made it feel like exactly the kind of investment cities should continue making.
The Los Angeles I Love
People love to joke that Los Angeles is impossible without a car.
I understand where that reputation comes from.
But every year, I see more evidence that another version of Los Angeles is emerging.
One where taking Metro is easier.
One where biking across neighborhoods feels safer.
One where walking is becoming more enjoyable.
One where choosing not to drive isn't seen as unusual—it becomes one of many great ways to experience the city.
The Slauson Rail to Rail Pathway is only one project, but it represents something much larger.
It's proof that Los Angeles can continue becoming a city built for people, not just cars.
Los Angeles is getting better and better for living car-free — I love that for me. | photo: AROUNDwithTK
And as someone who happily lives car-free, that's a future I'm excited to ride toward.
That Taco Tuesday, But on Bikes situation was my first time on Slauson’s rail to rail active transportation corridor. Check out Streetsblog if you want to know more about South L.A.’s latest, but not last, improvement to make streets safer for all!
AROUNDwithTK is a corner of the Internet where a girl currently living in L.A. yaps about her explorations here and beyond. She can’t sit still for long and she always has something to say. Her name is TK and she’s glad you came AROUND!