Like many American cities, if you’re visiting Birmingham for a few days, you’re going to need a car. The City of Birmingham—not including suburbs—covers more than 150 square miles, and while there is limited bus service within the city and to some suburbs, the only real way to get around with any efficiency is by automobile. A well-developed system of federal and state highways makes this an easily navigable town for anyone behind the wheel.
For those wishing to try the bus to get to places in and around the city, you are brave souls: Birmingham has been in need of adequate public transport since the city ripped up its extensive streetcar lines in the early 1950s, and it may take intrepid, dedicated public transport advocates to deliver better service for the general public. The MAX (Metro Area Express) does run during work hours downtown, providing those working in the city with convenient, clean-burning natural gas trolleys available along three routes in the city center. The transit authority also offers fixed-route service in Birmingham and some neighboring suburbs. The truth is, the Greater Birmingham area is quite spread out, making the automobile the most practical means of transport for the area. For those commuting in and out of downtown on I-65 as well as those navigating Highway 280, Alabama’s second-busiest roadway, collective frustration will at some point surely boil over in the form of light rail or some type of public transport. There are around 100,000 good reasons for this daily going to and from work along the route.
With more and more loft dwellers downtown, though, there are the increasing few who walk or bike to work, and biking organizations like the Bici Cooperative (www.bicicoop.org) have made a valiant effort to encourage residents to bike to work. Granted, the hilly environment, as well as hot and humid temperatures, provide a few obstacles, as do the lack of many dedicated bike lanes in and around the city. As more restaurants, shops, and businesses continue to open in the city center, this is improving steadily. If you’re visiting though, think of Birmingham as a series of small neighborhoods to explore on foot. Park your car, walk about, and get to know the city.