Week Without Driving challenge: Walk a mile in non-drivers’ shoes | The Homepage

By Ziggy Edwards

On Sept. 30, Pittsburghers for Public Transit will join Transit for All PA! and organizations nationwide in the Week Without Driving challenge aimed at raising awareness of non-drivers’ needs.

About 30% of people in the U.S. cannot drive, according to Streetsblog USA. Non-drivers have many reasons for not driving. They have places they need to go — but getting there is much harder without access to good, affordable public transit.

How the challenge works

• Every trip counts. 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 drive family members or friends, those trips count too.

• You can ask someone else to drive you. If you do, consider how much you “owe” this person for their time and if you felt obligated to pay them back (for example, doing housekeeping tasks for them). You can use taxis if they exist where you need to go. Again, note the cost. How would it change your decision to take the trip if you had to rely on this option all the time?

• Keep in mind that it is easier to give up driving if you can afford to live in a walkable area well-served by transit or can outsource your transportation and delivery needs to other people.

• Having to drive during the challenge does not mean failure. Sometimes the challenge is most illuminating if you find you truly must drive. How would someone without that option have coped? What choices might they have made?

Pittsburghers for Public Transit executive director Laura Wiens said on Aug. 15 she’s excited to uplift the experience of non-drivers in partnership with other groups. Her organization will focus on highlighting “the need for service expansion and visionary service,” a reference to its newly released report (see Page 1).

Locally, the Week Without Driving challenge will also highlight the countywide Complete Streets program and the development of housing options that are both affordable and near accessible transit.

Anna Zivarts of Disability Rights Washington state started the challenge in 2021 and partnered with America Walks to take it national in 2023.

Learn more and join the challenge.

Ziggy Edwards is a writer and editor in Four Mile Run.