By Savannah Blackwell

EVEN THOUGH THE economy bites, it's not likely you're going to lock yourself up in your apartment and refuse to venture out. If you want to do anything listed elsewhere in this guide, chances are you're going to have to find some way to get there. So here are some suggestions about how to do that without busting your bank.

Cars

City CarShare is a handy and fairly inexpensive way to get access to wheels if you need them for short stints.

Here's how it works: Anyone at least 25 years old with a clean driving record and a California driver's license can participate. You can apply online or over the phone. It takes about one week to process the application, and you have to attend an orientation session. There's also a refundable $300 deposit, a $25 application fee, and a $10 monthly charge to stay in the program. But using the car costs only $3.50 a hour ($35 max for 24 hours) plus 37¢ a mile. Since gas cards come with the vehicles, you don't have to shell out for that separately. Most of the 40-vehicle fleet consists of Volkswagen bugs, but they do have a few larger vehicles, for when you need to go to Costco or haul a filing cabinet. Pickup locations throughout San Francisco, Oakland, and Berkeley. For more information and to apply, call (415) 995-8588 or go to www.citycarshare.org.

Rent-a-Wreck is definitely one of the best deals in town. Rates start as low as $21.99 a day ($126 weekly) for the likes of a Geo Metro and cap out at $30.95 a day ($168 weekly) for a Toyota Corolla or Ford Contour. Call for hours. 2955 Third St., S.F. (415) 282-6293.

If you're willing to risk turning your car over to students, you can save on labor costs. During the spring and summer semesters, the student mechanics at Skyline College in San Bruno take on outside work for about six weeks on a limited basis. Priority goes to cars of students and faculty members, but it's worth a call – especially if you're looking for something straightforward like a brake job. The school charges a lab fee, ranging from $12.50 to $25, but the labor is free. You do have to pay for any parts needed. 3300 College Drive, San Bruno. For hours and other information, call and ask for Perry Dair. (650) 739-4126.

The student mechanics at the Regional Occupational Program take in outside work on a limited basis. They do body work as well. Call for hours. 101 Twin Dolphin Drive, Redwood City. (650) 802-5400.

Bicycles

Given that most Bay Area gas stations have just hiked up their prices about 12¢ a gallon, according to the San Francisco Chronicle, finding a way to avoid the pump sounds good right now. Overall hint: Most bike shops dump their inventories at the end of the calendar year. So October, November, and December are the best times to get a deal – sometimes as much as 50 percent off – on new bikes.

Shopping at Pedal Revolution is good for your pocketbook and the community. That's because the nonprofit organization employs homeless and at-risk youths. Used mountain bikes start as low as $130, and a basic tune-up will set you back $45. Wheel trueing costs an extra $10 to $15. Mon.-Wed. and Fri.-Sat., 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Thurs., 10 a.m.-7 p.m.; Sun., 11 a.m.-5 p.m., 3085 21st St., S.F. (415) 641-1264.

Bike Hut at Pier 40 is another nonprofit outfit that works with youths. It's a tiny shack of a place with no power, but Hutmaster Victor Vesey is a terrific source of information on how to get your hands on a reasonably priced bike. He doesn't have a lot of stock, but he's hoping to change that soon. It's also a good place to look for used parts. A tune-up costs $42, the "gravy version" for high-end bikes will set you back $60 and involves two hours of work. He's open Wednesday through Sunday, but he won't be there if it's raining. The hut leaks. Any bike over $150 he'll guarantee for 130 days. Wed.-Sun., 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Pier 40, Townsend and Embarcadero, S.F. (415) 543-4335.