What is Week Without Driving?
Week Without Driving is a national event designed to help raise awareness and improve understanding of the daily challenges faced by those who can’t or don’t drive, which is nearly a third of us! It challenges participants to rely solely on walking, biking, transit, and other non-driving modes for an entire week, and to reflect on and share their experiences.
Week Without Driving is organized by America Walks and Disability Rights Washington. The City of Alameda is officially participating for the first time this year.
How Does it Work?
First, sign up!
Then, prepare for the week — see the resources and other details below. The week is from Monday, September 29 through Sunday, October 5.
If you are on social media, share your journey using #WeekWithoutDriving and tag @AmericaWalks and @loveourisland (the City of Alameda’s handle). Also, please share your insights with the City of Alameda’s Communications & Legislative Affairs Director, Sarah Henry, at shenry@alamedaca.gov.
A Few Things to Keep in Mind (from the Organizers)
Treat the week like any other by not clearing your calendar or otherwise minimizing your typical travel during the week. Live your week as usual. Avoid stocking up or dodging commitments.
You can get around however you want, but the challenge is not to drive yourself in any car for the entire week. This applies to all your activities — not just your work commute. If you normally transport other family members or friends, it applies to those trips too.
You can ask someone else to drive you, but make a note of how much you “owe” this person for their time, and if you feel obligated to support them in other ways (i.e., doing all the dishes). You can use taxis or ride-hail if they exist where you need to go, but again, think about how the cost could impact your decision to take this trip if this was regularly your only option.
Having to drive during the challenge does not signify failure. The point is to consider how someone without that option would have coped, and what choices they might need to make.
Resources for Getting Around
- Bus, Shuttles, and BART
- Oakland Alameda Water Shuttle
- SF Bay Ferry
- Alameda Connect: Transportation Services for Seniors and People with Disabilities
- Bicycling (Bike Map)
- Walking
- Getting to School
Further Reading
America Walks/Week Without Driving website
City of Alameda Week Without Driving Announcement
Alameda Post: Examine Your Transportation Habits During Week Without Driving
Streetsblog: A Week Without Driving in Alameda
When Driving is Not an Option, book by Anna Zivarts
Did You Know?
