Week Without Driving
September 30 - October 6, 2024
CNU-CTX was proud to host Week Without Driving 2024 in Austin alongside a coalition of partners including ADAPT of Texas, Movability, Transit Forward, Safe Streets Austin, AURA, Rethink35, Reconnect Austin, Austin Urbanistas, Urban Austin Reads, Future of New Urbanism - Central Texas, Black + Motal Architecture and Urban Design, and CapMetro.
Our 2024 #WeekWithoutDrivingATX was informative and fun! Check out some of our favorite posts below.
Thank you to our coalition partners and to our participating elected officials, especially Austin City Council Members Paige Ellis and Zo Qadri!
Read on for more information about our 2024 Week Without Driving campaign.
CNU-CTX in connection with CapMetro, ADAPT of Texas, Movability, Transit Forward, Safe Streets Austin, AURA, Rethink35, Reconnect Austin, Austin Urbanistas, Urban Austin Reads, Future of New Urbanism - Central Texas (FNU-CTX), and Black + Motal Architecture and Urban Design is proud to participate in the #WeekWithoutDrivingATX from September 30th to October 6th, a challenge that invites us to experience the everyday realities of those who, by circumstance or choice, do not drive.
Nearly a third of people in the United States, including individuals with disabilities, young people, seniors, and those who cannot afford the costs associated with car ownership, navigate their lives without personal vehicles. Their experiences highlight the importance of connected, accessible, reliable public transit and safe, active transportation options for all.
The Week Without Driving is not just an opportunity to reflect on the challenges faced by nondrivers; it's a call to transformative action for creating stronger, inclusive communities. Whether it's understanding the significance of every trip made without a car or considering the complexities of relying on others for transportation, this challenge encourages empathy and insight into the diverse needs of our community members.
We see the Week Without Driving as a critical step toward recognizing and dismantling the barriers to mobility many face daily. This challenge also sheds light on a crucial intersection of transportation, economic stability, access to services, the environment, housing, public health and social equity.
Imagine a week without driving. Impossible? Not quite.
Take the #WeekWithoutDrivingATX challenge with us from September 30th to October 6th! Show us how you get around without driving for a week and the unique benefits and challenges you face. Let's spread awareness and push for accessible communities together!
Are you ready to walk, ride, or roll a mile in someone else’s shoes? Visit weekwithoutdriving.org to learn more.
Make sure to share your experiences and tag #WeekWithoutDriving and #WeekWithoutDrivingATX
Sign UP to participate in Week Without Driving 2024 at weekwithoutdriving.org/join
Frequently Asked Questions
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Sign up atweekwithoutdriving.org/join
From September 30 to October 6, your challenge is to not drive yourself in any car. You can walk, bike, use transit, ride with others, or use any other way you can think of to get around.
Think about your experiences. What options do you have that others might not? Did you spend more on getting around this week than you usually do? Did it take you more time? Did you miss any meetings, get caught in a storm, or wear the wrong shoes?
Document your experiences and share on social media! Make sure to tag #WeekWithoutDriving and #WeekWithoutDrivingATX
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If you have to drive yourself, you haven’t failed. You have identified an important gap in our transportation system. Think on your experience, your privilege in being able to drive yourself when needed, and what might be done to help nondrivers who don’t have that option.
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Note things that work well for you. Did you run into a friend while walking? Did you read your book on the train? Did your bus come perfectly on time?
Note things that didn’t work well for you. Did you have to transfer 3 times? Was it raining, and you didn’t have an umbrella? Did you arrive late to a meeting?
Tag each post with #WeekWithoutDriving and #WeekWithoutDrivingATX
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CapMetro has great resources for new transit riders. You can learn how to ride the bus, plan your trip with Trip Planner, and stay updated on the go with the CapMetro app. Learn how & where to buy a transit pass, how to use the Transit app, and sign up for MetroAlerts - real time notifications about routes.
Try Bikeshare! Simply rent, ride, and return to a Bikeshare station. No bike ownership required.
Visiting with friends? Consider destinations near transit, such as Plaza Saltillo on the Red Line or The Triangle on bus routes #801 (rapid), 1, 481, and 990.
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Share on social media
“I’m doing Week Without Driving, and you can too! Visit centraltexascnu.org/week-without-driving#WeekWithoutDriving#WeekWithoutDrivingATX”
Invite your coworkers! Both individuals and organizations can sign the pledge.
Talk about your experience and what you learned! See some examples from Week Without Driving 2023 below.
Happy Hour
CNU-CTX and our Week Without Driving partners are hosting a Wrap-Up Happy Hour!
Where: Fareground, 111 Congress Ave
When: Monday October 7, 5:30-7:30 pm
Bring your thoughts and reflections from the Week Without Driving to Fareground on Monday 10/7! We’ll share what we learned doing the challenge and what gaps we’ve identified in our transportation system (and brainstorm how to fix them).