Abilene is somewhat walkable, with certain areas like the Downtown Cultural District offering pedestrian-friendly environments filled with live music, museums, shops, and restaurants conveniently accessible on foot. However, the city’s typical layout can pose challenges for distance between amenities, often requiring a car for everyday necessities, particularly outside of central locations. For travelers who strategically choose where to stay, some daily activities can be managed without a vehicle, though not all amenities are within easy walking distance.

Abilene offers a public transportation option with CityLink, including fixed-route buses and on-demand ZipZone service. While CityLink operates six days a week with routes covering significant parts of the city, the limited service frequency and coverage may necessitate careful planning. It can connect travelers to key areas, but relying exclusively on public transit might not be practical for all trips and is not comprehensive across all neighborhoods.

Biking around Abilene has potential, as the city includes some bike-friendly routes such as the Hardwick Road Loop and Buck Creek Trails, appealing to road and mountain bikers. However, the overall bike infrastructure is limited, and traffic conditions may pose challenges in some sections. While biking is feasible for recreation and shorter trips, it might not serve as the primary transportation mode for travelers needing to access widespread locations or run daily errands efficiently.