Reflections from the second annual National Week Without Driving
How did this week challenge you?
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 and maintenance.
By spotlighting the lived experiences and perspectives of diverse non-drivers, National Week Without Driving 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.
This year’s National Week Without Driving took place September 30 - October 4 and our staff shared reflections about how they participated this year. Whether it’s a recounting of the usual commute or a new way to experience transportation, staff documented a snapshot of the feelings and thoughts as we moved through this year’s challenge. We shared our stories and observations on social media in order to reach more people who can learn more about our streets, sidewalks, and public transportation system - namely how their design can create barriers for those who need to use them daily.
“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.”
Check out stories from our staff experiences this year - as participants in the Week Without Driving or as regular non-drivers in the City of Tucson. You can see the stories in their original formats on our Instagram account in the NWWD 2024 highlights.
Sofia Moraga: After-work bike commute near 4th Ave/University
My partner waiting for our ride back home.
Crossing 6th and 6th feels pretty protected thanks to the early pedestrian signal at the light.
Quick builds like these slow car speeds around corners and create a daylighting effect so pedestrians and cyclists can be more visible.
Crossing Euclid is always scary, there’s no left turn arrow for vehicles and they can sometimes get a little inpatient waiting for bikes to pass, things were pretty civil today!
We always run into buddies on our commute home, this quick selfie at an orange light came with a car horn honk. There’s the good and the bad :)
Emily Yetman: Cargobike commute from school
I decided to pick my kiddo up by bike despite the intense heat at 3:30 PM in Tucson. I asked him to take photos of what he liked and didn’t like along the ride home.
Likes: friendly homes and neighborhood, spotting a roadrunner in the park, the Basket Bridge, trees and green, seeing a neighbor on their way to pick up their kid on a cargo bike, too.
Dislikes: trucks flying by near us on the Park Ave underpass, lots and lots of asphalt and concrete, the heat.
This was a choice we made. As a parent I worry every time we get on the bike that we’ll get hit. This #NWWD I’m thinking about what it would be like if we didn’t have this choice to ride or not; if driving wasn’t always on the table, too.
It’s so frustrating that there are no fully “safe” AND direct routes between home and school for us on bike; the safe way is twice the distance and requires twice the time. Why must nondrivers pay more in time and exposure when they’re the gentlest on our streets, pay taxes (to fund streets), and are preserving our air quality?
Madeline McClure: Not driving this week, a pedestrian photo essay
Ginette Gonzalez: Riding instead of driving down Broadway
I had an in-person meeting scheduled first thing in the morning and wanted to make sure I had plenty of buffer to be on time.
Spent 20 minutes walking and looking at mountains instead of tail lights. It was a great way to move my body outside in the morning.
HUGE streets to cross in the neighborhood, and then crossing 9 lanes of morning traffic to get to the other side of Broadway.
It’s hot outside and although there is a bench and shade structure, it’s clearly not well maintained and I’m sitting right in the unseasonably hot, record-breaking October sun (I wonder why it’s so hot in October but that’s a questions for another day).
The cars are loud and I feel so exposed. Add to that the public discourse about how inefficient, unreliable, burdensome, and unsafe public transportation is and it’s no wonder why many drivers are unsure about taking the bus.
Made it to my destination early enough to grab a table and some cafe treats. The kicker in this story is that I had to reschedule the meeting I had prepared to be early for: the other person had car problems and couldn’t make it.
Prab Virdee: Multi-modal commute to work
Well, this was me off to work on Friday. First thing I saw was a couple of chicanes mid-install in my neighborhood, Barrio Hollywood. The neighborhood decided to use the $75K we were awarded from the Safe Streets Mini-Grant Program to have these installed to slow drivers down, collect storm water, and provide shade from the trees in the chicanes.
Chicanes being installed in my neighborhood.
The streetcar going underground makes me think I’m in another city, where summer ended way before October.
I’ve arrived at the Streetcar station. Glad there’s shade.
Getting a burrito and enjoying the back patio of the 4th Ave Co-op for just a moment.
Enjoying views of downtown from the comfort of AC.
Almost got “doored” by a parked truck.
OH! Another bike has joined mine on the streetcar.
Navigating cars on the road, just before arriving to work.
