SCAD Year One: Transportation Part 1

One of the most important things to figure out when you get to SCAD is how you are getting around.  There are three primary ways to get around Savannah: by car, by bike and by SCAD bus.  There are obviously pros and cons to each of these, and I'm happy to share them.

1. By Car
1. I would consider this the best way, but even it has serious shortcomings.  I don't have a car, but I have friends who do and understand the situation.  Basically the car is useful for anything except getting to class.  Freshman aren't allowed to park on any SCAD property except the dorms, so you can't drive to class.  You also have to navigate Savannah.  In terms of layout, Savannah is not a car-friendly city, it has lots of squares and one way streets and confusing sort-of intersections.  Once you're used to it, I'm sure its fine, but then you have to contend with the tourism.  Because it's a historic city, Savannah attracts a lot of tourism.  Be prepared to contend with lots of slow moving trolleys, horse drawn carriages and tourist cars (tourists who drive slowly to look around, sometimes the wrong way).
2. Now driving within Savannah isn't great, but the car can go beyond the city and carry much, and this is where it's usefulness exists.  The malls, most grocery stores and other useful things (like movie theaters) are at least a ten to twenty minute drive away.  Most of these places can only be reached by car, and the some of them that can be reached by SCAD bus require a serious time commitment.  The usefulness of the car's extended flexibility will become quite apparent momentarily.
2. By Bike
1. The bike is my favorite way to get around, because Savannah really is a beautiful city, a fact often ignored by people enclosed in cars.  It also is, relatively, the best way to get to class.  Usually I can leave for class fifteen minutes later than I would if I was taking the bus and still get there in plenty of time.  Also, most all of the academic buildings have bike racks, all the ones that I've been to do.  It's also nice for getting around on the weekend, when the buses are fewer and less reliable.
2. In Savannah, bikes are largely considered vehicles by law and are required to follow the road and obey all traffic laws.  You can be ticketed for not obeying this rule.  There are a few exceptions, namely Forsyth Park, the large park in the center of downtown.  Bikes are allowed to ride around the edge, but not through the center, so as to avoid the two extremely busy streets on either side.  Please wear a helmet and unplug. So many SCAD student don't because it "isn't cool."  In my opinion, you only get one brain to source that creativity from, you lose that and your tuition money was wasted!  You're riding in traffic, where you are comparatively slower, smaller and harder to see, being less observant by plugging in music and less safe by not wearing a helmet is foolish.
3. The issues with the bike mostly come from its range.  It loses its appeal if you desire to leave the downtown area, unless you are a super in-shape biker who doesn't mind biking a ridiculous distance.  It's also less desirable if you're trying to get to an out-of-the-way dorm or building like the Terrace or Montgomery Hall.  Most people also don't like to carry projects when biking.  This I agree with.  I always ride my bike to lecture classes but only to studio classes if I don't have to carry a large project.  Biking is also affected by the weather.
3. By SCAD Bus
1. In terms of getting to class, this is fairly reliable but also extremely overused.  Most buses get crowded, so the best option is to leave your room one hour to forty-five minutes before you scheduled class and beat the rush.  Fortunately there are bus routes to every SCAD-owned building, I usually take a bus to a new building to familiarize myself with its location before biking there for the first time.  I'm going to break this category  down into weekend and weekday buses.
2. During the week all the regular routes run to all the classes, usually multiple buses per route.  These are reliable and usually timely.  The Silver Line bus/van runs to non academic buildings like the medical center, library and admissions building in addition to the local Kroger, which is the only grocery store in downtown.  As long as you give yourself enough time to get to the bus stop and the bus enough time to run it's route to your building, you should be able to get to class just fine.
3. The weekend is when things get screwed up.  Silver line still runs normally, usually with two buses instead of one.  We get an additional route courtesy of the fantastically unreliable Shopping bus.  The shopping bus runs out to the two malls, the local Home Depot and stops at several dorms.  The only other way to get to these places is by car, which is better in every way.  If you are taking the shopping bus anywhere, be prepared to dedicate your entire day to it.  It takes at least an hour to run its entire route, probably longer, and they only ever have a maximum of two buses running.  Waiting for it is usually a half hour at least, because it's never on time.  Other weekend routes are usually modified versions of weekday routes, they stop at more locations and run less buses per route.  I hate busing anywhere on the weekend.
4. By Foot
1. Mostly reserved for weekends, not for class; most academic buildings are to far to walk to.  Savannah is beautiful, and you should enjoy it.  Also all the art stores where you get your supplies are within walking distance, as well as Broughton street, which is the big shopping street of Savannah.  You won't get anywhere fast, but it can be nice

Most people don't use just one way to get around.  One of my friends has a car, a bike and uses the buses.  Most people use the buses at some point during the week.  I use the buses and my bike, and sometimes carpool with a friend who has a car.  I have to stress to you guys, don't bring a bike if you aren't going to use it.  So many of the bike racks here are filled with brand new bikes that students brought but never used.  They decided they were going to use the buses like most people.  Sometimes I want to pin a note to one of these bikes and ask them for it, its not like they're using it.  My bike is probably at least ten years old (I got it in a garage sale several years ago), and I'd love a new one.  In short: know yourself and what you'll do.  Try out different ways to get around and you'll find the way that works for you!