Local Motion : Week Without Driving

[Paco Dennis]

Nearly 1/3 of Americans who depend on walking, transit, and other means of transportation.

Join Local Motion in a #WeekWithoutDriving from September 30th to October 6th, as we step into the daily lives of the nearly 1/3 of Americans who depend on walking, transit, and other means of transportation due to disability, age, or economic constraints.

As an organization committed to transportation equity, we know it is important to break down mobility barriers and highlight the critical intersection of economic, environmental, public health, transportation and social equity issues.

Throughout the week, we'll share impactful stories and insights, highlighting the vital role of accessible mobility in enhancing community wellbeing. Join us on this eye-opening experience. This is our chance to build a more connected, equitable community!

Sign up to participate in a week without driving

A Week Without Driving - Participation Pledge

Join Local Motion for A Week Without Driving​

Please use this form to sign up for the Week Without Driving challenge, Sept. 30-Oct. 6, 2024.
A Week Without Driving is an educational campaign that focuses on reflection, knowledge, and understanding. Participants in the Week Without Driving challenge attempt to get around for a full week without driving themselves, or others, in any automobile. You can read more about A Week Without Driving at weekwithoutdriving.org.
Local participants in Columbia, Missouri, will have the opportunity to attend an in-person kickoff event on Monday, Sept. 30, as well as a mid-week reflection session that will be held online. Participants will also be invited to help promote the challenge on social media and in the Columbia press to raise awareness of the barriers that non-drivers face and the need for a more equitable transportation system.
To get involved, just fill in the contact fields below and provide your demographic information (to the extent you feel comfortable).
A Week Without Driving is organized by America Walks and Disability Rights Washington.

Week Without Driving - Local Motion | Columbia, MO

 

[Aunt Bea]

Paco,

Do you know if they will have free parking at the kickoff event?

I’m fortunate to live in a very walkable neighborhood and still have the ability to walk safely.

I was surprised to learn that 31% of the people in my city do not own or have access to a vehicle.

I believe that is a number that will quickly grow as the cost of buying and maintaining a vehicle continues to rise.

That may not be a bad thing but the transition will be difficult until we are willing to explore more efficient and cost effective ways of moving people in populated areas.

 

[officerripley]

Oh, boy, I'd better not let Huzz see this: he figures it's one of his "rights" as an American to drive until he drops dead. (And he hopes that happens when he's still behind the wheel of a car.) When I used to try to talk him into moving somewhere within walking distance (since I no longer drive) and asked him wouldn't he like to walk places sometimes, he said, "No! I don't want to have to walk anywhere! Walking is something that you only do if you drive to a nice park and walk. Walking places because you have to is for losers!"

Someone did a study a few years back and asked a bunch of European and US elderly men what they were most satisfied about themselves. Some of the European men said they were most satisfied that they were still in good physical shape. The rest of the European men said that they were happiest about how many kids and grandkids they had. What were the US guys most happy about themselves? You guessed it: that they could still drive and how much money they had made.

 

[Paco Dennis]

Paco,

Do you know if they will have free parking at the kickoff event?

I’m fortunate to live in a very walkable neighborhood and still have the ability to walk safely.

I was surprised to learn that 31% of the people in my city do not own or have access to a vehicle.

I believe that is a number that will quickly grow as the cost of buying and maintaining a vehicle continues to rise.

That may not be a bad thing but the transition will be difficult until we are willing to explore more efficient and cost effective ways of moving people in populated areas.

It looks like there are instructions on this page Week Without Driving

Scroll down to the bottom to

HOw Can I Participate​

You can decide from there, hopefully.

 

[OneEyedDiva]

Week Without Driving is an interesting and thoughtful challenge. For my son, who already knows what it's like to be without a car, it would be quite expensive, since he works in another city. He found out what it was like for months when his car had serious issues and it took three different mechanics (at three different shops) and a few thousand dollars to get the thing fixed.

He spent hundreds on Ubers and Lyfts because public transportation doesn't run in the middle of the night, which is when he starts work. Never want to go through that again. He used to be a bus driver, so he connected with those who didn't drive everyday and even made a couple of long time friends in the process. He was great at his job too. His passengers loved him so much that they gave him $100 and a big cake on his last day as their driver.

I haven't had a car since 2005 and lost my ability to drive safely the same year due to eye issues. Luckily, my husband continued to drive. Then and now I have my son or honorary daughter "tote me around" (they get a kick out of me saying that ), Also, I live in an area that has a 98% walk score and a multitude of public transportation choices. I could even take the train to the airport, if I ever desired to fly and had to resort to that. The only public transportation I take these days is the train when I want to go to the waterfront park and the casino bus to Atlantic City when I want to stay at our timeshare. Otherwise, when necessary, I take Ubers and Lyfts to my medical appointments.

 

[Mr. Ed]