Reflecting on Tucson’s First ‘Week Without Driving’
What did we learn from a week of awareness in the City of Tucson?
The National #WeekWithoutDriving began in 2021 in Washington State to “challenge our leaders to better understand the barriers faced by non-drivers in our communities.” It is sobering to consider that nearly a third of the US population does not drive - out of necessity, not choice, as a result of their age, ability, legal status, and/or their capacity to afford cars, fuel, insurance, fees & maintenance.
By spotlighting the lived experiences and perspectives of diverse non-drivers, NWWD aims to start a conversation that can be translated into effective policy, infrastructure, and a culture that supports the mobility needs of all people. What is more, a more inclusive, equitable, and sustainable approach to transportation planning can improve life for most of us by abetting safety, climate adaptation measures, housing, and jobs - needs felt most deeply by the most vulnerable among us.
That’s why this October, Living Streets Alliance asked the Tucson community to join us in recognizing this National week of awareness by taking our pledge, sharing stories and observations on social media, reaching out to elected officials, and not driving for all or part of the week in order to better understand our streets, sidewalks, and public transportation system - namely how their design can create barriers for those who need to use them daily.
Click the button below to read shares from our community based on their experiences - either as participants in the Week Without Driving or as regular non-drivers in the City of Tucson.
“We want people to understand both the choices they make individually, and much more critically, the larger systemic barriers and ways we’ve invested, or vastly under invested, in mobility options for people who don’t have the privilege of driving.”
