I actually used to ride my bike to the closest stop when I lived further away from town.

Locked it up somehwre close, come back and ride it home.

Nowadays my bikes are a little more expensive so I don't like to lock them where I can't see them all day, but I'm fairly sure it will still be there when I come back.

The one time it DID get stolen, it was specifically because I forgot my lock that day. I called a friend, we drove around town for a bit and I spotted some guy on it, called the cops and told them I'm about to confront the guy who stole my bike and if they care to show up we're at the park. (don't bother saying you want them to intervene, tell them you are confronting someone and they'll show up thinking maybe someone is about to get shot) and when the guy tried to say he bought the bike heads ago, I told the cop I'm taking the handlebars off to prove something. Took them off with the toolkit I keep in my bag, and pulled out a piece of paper with my name,partial address, and phone number on it. The guy started sprinting the second he realized I have proof it's mine. I also pulled out my New Bike Day photo of it but the paper with my details inside the frame is a lot harder to argue against.

Get an old bike that's in good mechanical condition but looks shitty.

Alternatively, figure out how to take the bike with you on the bus. My transit system's buses have bike racks on the front, but if yours doesn't, get a folding bike (e.g. a Brompton).