Hello -
Thanks for the input thus far! I'll address them as posted:
myrax -
It is a possibility, and I am looking into getting one - but they are not cheap, and seem rarely available on kijiji or craigslist. Besides, many of the recumbent communities I've poked around in during my research all seem to be in agreement that winter tricycling is difficult in even optimal conditions. While it's a very appealing option, it, as with a motorized scooter, would only be of use to me outside of the winter months.
marty998 -
It's highly unlikely. Besides, there are a myriad of routes that all end up being inefficient depending on what you're using them for - the same route that is inefficient in getting me home is very efficient in getting me -to- work.
alsoknownasDean -
This is actually something I've never looked into. I assumed - perhaps in error - that resoling my boots would likely cost something similar to the cost of new ones. I'll shop around, because it might make my costs go down in the long run if it is cheaper, but it doesn't exactly solve the larger issue of convenient mobility. Even if I could shave the 'operating budget' of extra walking, the general inconvenience of public transit still hinders me - I spend more time waiting for buses than I do riding them, sometimes. But with speed limitations, it's just not feasible to traverse my city on foot.
Currently, there are no discounted passes for anyone that is not either a senior citizen or enrolled in a disability program that I am not part of. I could seek to become part of it, but the program is designed for severely disabled individuals (it's even in the acronym) which I do not claim - nor, truthfully, wish to claim - to be. I do think this is rather stupid on the part of the transit authority - why adults cannot get annual passes or some form of discount for continued loyalty to the program is beyond me.
MayDay -
As I stated above, a tricycle is something I'm looking into. I am reasonably sure that it would cost me more than a motor scooter to get my hands on a good recumbent tricycle in my area, though likely the overall costs would swing in favour of the trike. There are no reliable forms of special transport or discounts that I can access without either claiming to be more disabled than I am (or than I feel I am, at least) or that would be more reliable than existing transport. There -is- a special transit branch within our city for disabled individuals, but it's meant for taking the severely disabled to and from pre-determined appointments. It's not designed for daily use by a single individual, that's what standard transport is for.
I'm getting the sense that I'm sort of stuck with my current situation for the time being, at least. Winter does limit my options some, but I am also glad to know that I've considered most of the obvious options already. I'm still open to new input, and eager to explore what options may be presented, though.
Regards,
Canaduh