If you can drive or afford a car, you may not understand what it’s like to rely on walking, rolling, transit and asking for rides. But for nearly a third of people living in the United States – people with disabilities, young people, seniors and people who can’t afford cars or gas – this is our every day.
We created the Week Without Driving challenge so that those who have the option to drive can learn firsthand about the barriers and challenges that nondrivers face and work with nondrivers to create more accessible communities for all.
HOw Does The Challenge Work?
Every Trip Counts
You can get around however you want, but the challenge is not to drive yourself in any car. 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.
Asking or Paying for Rides
You can ask someone else to drive you, but make a note of how much you “owe” this person in their time, and if you felt obligated to support them in other ways (ie, doing all the dishes). You can ride hail or taxis 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.
Who Has Choices, What Are Your Choices?
This isn’t a disability simulation or a test of how easily you can find alternatives. We know that it is far easier to give up your keys if you can afford to live in a walkable area well served by transit, or can outsource your driving and other transport and delivery needs to other people.
It’s Okay to Drive – But Reflect What That Means for Nondrivers
Having to drive during the challenge does not signify failure. Sometimes the best reflection comes when someone participating in the challenge has to drive. The point is to consider how someone without that option would have coped, and what choices they might have made.
IMPACT
“This week was a reminder that mobility is a human right. And it’s also a reminder that so many people in our region are excluded from this right, simply because driving for them is not an option.”
— Girmay Zahilay, King County Councilmember, Washington State
Where Did The Challenge Come from?
The #WeekWithoutDriving challenge was launched in 2021 by Anna Zivarts at Disability Rights Washington. After two successful years, in 2023 in partnership with America Walks we took the Week Without Driving national. More than 142 organizations across 41 states and the District of Columbia joined the challenge in 2023 and we’re already organizing so the 2024 challenge will be even bigger!
IMPACT
“Traveling to Southeast DC on Day 4 required multiple connections across various modes and still took an hour. I’m leaving the challenge with an even deeper appreciation for the transit options available to me, and a renewed sense of commitment to expanding District residents’ access to transit.”
— Charles Allen, DC Councilmember
HOw Can I Participate?
Anyone can participate in the Week Without Driving – whether you want to participate as an individual, organize your coworkers, or sign up as an elected leader or an advocacy organization.
If you’d like to find other organizations, look at our list of local and regional partners, and if you don’t see someone in your area, check out our templates and trainings to get started hosting the challenge.