#WeekWithoutDriving Challenge
October 2 - 8, 2023
Absorbing all of the programs, advocacy, and community building efforts that Bike Durham is involved with can be overwhelming at times, we know, but we invite you to pay special attention to the first ever National #WeekWithoutDriving, coming up soon during the first week of October.
We’re urging local decision-makers, local advocates, and individuals to take part in this week dedicated to creating change and understanding the challenges created for non-drivers by our current urban infrastructure that caters to cars over people. If you’re already a nondriver, encourage your friends, family, and (even better) your elected officials to go a Week Without Driving!
Advocates at Reality Ministries have joined us in calling for decision-makers to take the #WeekWithoutDriving challenge. Watch their video challenge below:
From left to right: Suvya Carroll, Tatum Tricarico, Alex Furiness, and Sloan Meek crossing a street
Participants can get around however they want, but are encouraged not to drive themselves. This applies to all activities — not just work commutes. The challenge isn't about not using a car, rather it's to see what it's like to not be the one able to drive, to better understand what it’s like to try to navigate their communities without the privilege of driving.
We know that this is hard for many people who currently drive to re-arrange their lives to make this work for a week. The most value is from the full week, but it is still a valuable experience if you can make it work for a few days or even a few trips.
The Week Without Driving was started two years ago by Disability Mobility Initiative in the state of Washington. This year, the Week Without Driving is a national challenge, in partnership with America Walks. Bike Durham is one of more than 123 groups from 35 states and Washington D.C. which are hosting the challenge in their communities.
In 2021 and 2022, leaders in Washington state participated in a Week Without Driving. As you’ll hear in this video, they found the experience incredibly valuable and are encouraging leaders like you across the country to join us this year. On September 18, 2023, Bloomberg News published an op-ed featuring the impact of the #WeekWithoutDriving on elected leaders from Washington State:
“There’s just no substitute for getting out there and experiencing your transportation system for yourself,” said Claudia Balducci, a member of the county council for King County…Pierce County Councilmember Jani Hitchen had a similar reaction after she experienced the challenge in 2022. “We have not designed our infrastructure to think about all of the users of our roads,” she said…Mayor Lynne Robinson of Bellevue, Washington, who participated in the challenge last year, reports that the challenge underscored the importance of building connected multi-use paths for walking, biking and rolling that allow users to safely cross or bypass major arterials. “It’s almost more dangerous to have an incomplete network,” she said.“If we’re making it safe for our elders, for our young people, for people with disabilities to navigate their community, then we’re making it safe for everyone,” said Seattle City Councilmember Tammy Morales.