Hey fellow urbexers, I had a question for all you guys. My friends and I don't own cars (as we are all still in high school), so we are pretty limited when it comes to exploring locations. We are restricted to bicycles and walking. Are any of you in the same situation as us? And if so, how do you cope with it or find ways around it? Finally, do any of you have suggestions for really combing a few square miles for good areas to explore?

Public transportation is probably going to be your best bet if it's available in your area. That's what I did when I was in college. It also comes with the added benefit of not having to find a place to inconspicuously ditch your car while you explore. If not, try meeting up with other explorers in your area who own vehicles and are willing to let you ride with them.

As far as your other question, getting out and walking/biking/driving around is really the best way. Keep your eyes open whenever you're traveling somewhere new. You can also use Google satellite view but be wary of this. Some of the images are outdated and you may see something intriguing that ends up being demolished or renovated.

Dunno how the rail system is out there but most of my explores between Gary and Chicago have been within walking distance of either a commuter rail or L-station. I'm too protective of my cars to drive around there, and it was cheaper going that route when gas was at $4. $20 will get me to Gary and back on the trains with change to spare -- $22-ish if I get on the bus in Gary to a spot, like I did last time.

Public Transportation or Rails. Also, if the spot is really cool you could always get an uber

I grew up in the middle of the country, so my options were super limited too. The bike I had didn't have breaks and had a super tiny seat, and a chain that fell off when in higher gears, but biking was still all I could do. (I make myself sound old, but this all still applied to me last september)

I usually set out from my house to do a few hours biking, making a promise to myself not to return until I found a new location. And I actually managed to do that every time. Over the course of 2 years I found nearly 120 locations (mostly abandoned farmhouses).

If you live in the city this is an even better method because there will be more locations. A HUGE plus is the fact that it is super easy to conceal your bike compared to any motor vehicle. You can also go lots of places cars can't easily. The longest Journey I ever had to make was 120km round trip - boy was that a long day! Worst of all I only had 4 good new locations to show for it!

So if you don't want to mindlessly comb through google streetview for places just go for a bikeride to roads you don't know very well, it'll be worth your time for sure.

Uber.

Posted by Peptic Ulcer Uber.

i had to google what Uber was.

Posted by catdog23 I grew up in the middle of the country, so my options were super limited too. If you live in the city this is an even better method because there will be more locations

What sucks is I live in a super clean Silicon Valley-en suburbia, there is like zero abandoned places. Usually I have to explore in a bunch of active locations.

Make friends with people who own cars, it's what I did.

I just bike and take public transport. I've gone places 50km away with a bike and apart from taking a few hours it wasn't bad.

Posted by rayfang2000 What sucks is I live in a super clean Silicon Valley-en suburbia, there is like zero abandoned places. Usually I have to explore in a bunch of active locations.

Lol there is quite a few in the bay still. Anyways take public bus,bart,uber,bike and get some exercise, etc

Recently I've been skateboarding or riding my bike around. The one bad thing is that a skateboard or bike is a burden to carry around while exploring.

Depending on where you live and what you are doing, urbexing without a car can be advantageous. (Personally I sold my car about 4 years ago, and intend to never have a reason to own a car again.) No worries about choosing a place to park were your car might tip off security vs a place where it might get broken into. I think urban exploring, especially searching for locations is much better with some combination of public transit/bike/walking. The ease of walking down the sidewalk and popping your head in an alley to see what is going on seems much simpler then the same task while driving. Situation and local culture dependent, scouting a location in a car may look more suspicious then riding by on a bike (because you are just going on a bike ride.)

Rural exploration is a different story though. Although if possible even in a rural situation, I prefer to take public transit as close as I can get and then walk or bike to the location from there. (In many places there IS no rural public transit though.)

Posted by Whitechocolatemilk Recently I've been skateboarding or riding my bike around. The one bad thing is that a skateboard or bike is a burden to carry around while exploring.

Bikes are very useful for recon. It's not unusual to see someone riding around even in circles. Gives you an excuse to loiter in an area.
Bikes get stolen too easily if out of sight though. I've used my hybrid many times to slip in and out of sites that are too far to walk from where I parked. Best to keep it in your sight or hide it well if it's isolated and cover is available. It's still a risk.

things are just too far apart here to live without a car.
I always get a laugh when this thread comes around (and yes, it comes around quite often).

Time to charge up the Hoverboard and hope it doesn't burst into flames.

Posted by Radical_Ed Time to charge up the Hoverboard and hope it doesn't burst into flames.

Lol, charge it outside the house and away from all flammables, people, wild life...

A car really helps with urbex. It's not just a matter of getting places not well served by transit; it's nice to have a "base camp" where you can keep your stuff while you explore like food, drinks and a change of clothes. After a long exploration, the last thing you want is to bike 50 km or hike to the bus stop and wait in the cold. You can come back complete dirty and not have people on the bus or train wondering what you've been doing. It's also nice knowing you have a way of making a quick getaway if need be.

Think vertical.
Plenty of things to climb... wear high top boots suitable for climbing, good pair of gloves, and maintain 3 points of contact at all times.
Do not climb on wet steel or jump even if it's the last couple feet.
-Think- before you do each movement, take your time; you only get one chance. Falling is never an option.

Posted by blackhawk Bikes are very useful for recon. It's not unusual to see someone riding around even in circles. Gives you an excuse to loiter in an area. Bikes get stolen too easily if out of sight though. I've used my hybrid many times to slip in and out of sites that are too far to walk from where I parked. Best to keep it in your sight or hide it well if it's isolated and cover is available. It's still a risk.

A trucker friend of mine has a folding bike. He parked at a truck stop on the south side of Gary and rode up to meet me in one of the schools a few miles away. Folded it up, brought it inside and slipped the thing into a large backpack - worked like a charm.