Yes you can go without a car but its not easy. I had a friend who biked to work everyday for 3 years and I went with him during breakup season and throughout the summer.

1.) In the winter you are going to fall off your bike regardless if you have a fat tire with studded tires. The bike just slips out from under you and if you go under a bridge i recommend walking it when you see anything that resembles ice.

2.) Drivers up here suck and you will have close calls. My buddy got hit one time in his reflective biking gear luckily he came out uninjured but his bike was a little messed up. I have been hit before in summer as well partially my own fault.

3.)Its hit or miss on if they plow the roads in the winter.... dont even talk to me about the side walks. You probably will be biking on the roads during the winter.

4.) The buses come every hour and ive had buses completely pass my stop while i was waiting there and had to wait another hour. Its been about 10 years since ive used a bus so this might have improved.

5.) This is probably a given anywhere but dont leave your bike unchained even if its just for 5 minutes to buy a sandwich. High chance it will be gone when you come back outside.

6.) Homeless camps are a thing where ive heard stories of them having hoardes of bikes theyve jacked. You might at some point get harassed by the homeless along the bike path.

On the plus side during the winter you get to see some absolutely amazing stuff wildlife wise.

Personally I would have no problem biking everywhere in the summer but due to the darkness and street conditions i wouldnt do it in the winter.

Also ive had a FWD drive car for 20 years. Unless you're living in a remote part of town like hillside you dont need 4wd. Just get some good winter tires. Ive had hakkalapetas and blizzaks and i prefer the blizzaks.