RCC: Take the Week Without Driving Challenge

Enjoy the beautiful early fall weather from Sept. 30 – Oct. 6 by leaving your car at home and participating in the Week Without Driving challenge!

If you’re one of the 6 in 10 Fitchburg residents who drives, this is a great opportunity for you to experience and navigate our transportation systems from the perspective of the 40% of your neighbors who don’t drive.

There are many reasons why people can’t or won’t drive: About 15% of our residents are under 16 and therefore too young to drive. The remaining 25% of non-drivers include people with disabilities, those who can’t afford to own a car, and perhaps even a few who choose not to drive for environmental reasons, because they don’t want to contribute to congestion, or they simply don’t like driving (a 2013 study found that people who travel on foot and by bike report the happiest commutes, followed by those who take public transit or carpool, while the least happy are the 3/4 of Americans who drive alone to work).

It’s never been easier for you to forego driving! We’ve got lots of Multi-Use Paths and bike lanes, 14 BCycle stations here in Fitchburg (be on the lookout for a code to get $10 off a one month membership during the Week Without Driving); and if you spend time in Madison, you’ll be able to take advantage of the brand new East/West Bus Rapid Transit route, “Rapid Route A”, which begins operating on Sep 22, and the rest of the Madison Metro bus system.

If you have a lot of stuff to haul, you can get yourself a convertible jogger stroller / bike trailer that has enough room for two kids plus some groceries. My wife and I bought one in 1997 when our oldest child was born, and we’ve been using it ever since.

The Week Without Driving was launched in 2021 by Anna Zivarts, author of “When Driving Is Not An Option”, as part of her role with Disability Mobility Initiative. Initially focused on elected officials in the state of Washington, the challenge was taken nationwide in 2023 when Disability Mobility Initiative partnered with America Walks. If you choose to participate (and you should!), I encourage you to sign up at https://WeekWithoutDriving.org so the organizers know how many people are taking part.

After a week of experiencing the positive physical and mental health benefits of active transportation, you may find yourself wanting to make a permanent change, and that’s wonderful! Fall is the most enjoyable time of year to be out walking and biking, but don’t stop when the weather turns cold.

Just remember, as we head into the winter months, that proper clothing and gear will make your trips safer and more comfortable. Dress in layers, get yourself some heated gloves, a reflective light vest, and be sure your bike is equipped with lights, studded tires, and fenders. And a set of ski goggles works miracles to keep your face warm when the temps dip below 0°F.

If you’re serious about reducing your driving, you may even think about replacing a car with an e-bike. There are many options available, including cargo bikes that can carry 2-3 small passengers plus some additional cargo.

I look forward to seeing you out and about this fall, and all year long!