Asheville offers a very walkable experience, particularly in downtown and certain neighborhoods like West Asheville and Montford. These areas are dense with cafes, shops, and cultural attractions, making it easy for travelers to navigate on foot. However, the city's hilly terrain can make walking more strenuous in some places, and outside of these specific areas, a vehicle might be needed to travel longer distances conveniently.
Asheville's ART bus system provides relatively good public transportation, covering many parts of the city and extending to nearby areas like Black Mountain. Despite this, travelers may experience limited bus frequency and coverage, especially on Sundays, making it less reliable for those seeking quick and flexible transit options across the city. Ride-sharing services can often help fill these gaps in the public transport network.
Asheville is somewhat bike-friendly, with efforts to improve bike lanes and the presence of scenic routes like the French Broad River Greenway. The city's hilly landscape can pose a challenge, and the infrastructure isn't fully developed across all areas, which can make biking less safe and efficient for everyday travel. For recreational biking or short commutes within certain areas, however, it proves to be an enjoyable alternative.