The Week With out Driving is Sparking a Cultural Shift
When America Walks joined forces with Incapacity Rights Washington to arrange the Week With out Driving (WWD), the purpose was easy but profound, to assist determination makers expertise their neighborhood as a nondriver.
What we discovered is that this expertise didn’t simply create understanding; it has sparked motion throughout the USA and past. Right here’s how WWD has developed since going nationwide final 12 months, what we’ve achieved, and the place we’re headed as we set our sights on 2025!
Why Week With out Driving Issues
Do you know that almost a 3rd of Individuals can’t drive? Whether or not on account of age, incapacity, or monetary constraints, tens of millions of individuals depend on strolling, rolling, biking, transit, or another solution to go the place they should go. However many years of car-dependent insurance policies have left most of our communities unprepared to serve nondrivers. Cracked sidewalks, rare buses, and harmful roads hurt all of us, however particularly weak highway customers like these with disabilities, seniors, kids, and low-income households.
The Momentum of 2024
In its first 12 months, WWD garnered help from 953 organizations and people from 41 states and determination makers throughout 41 states. However in 2024, participation elevated dramatically to a complete of three,595 organizations, determination makers and people taking part! This included:
- Native organizations and organizers, representing all 50 states
- Determination-makers from 45 states, together with elected officers from the state and native degree, public sector leaders, and professionals
- Particular person neighborhood members from 46 states
One in every of WWD’s standout successes in 2024 was its capability to convey native tales to a nationwide viewers. From small-town newspapers to on-line platforms, media protection helped shine a highlight on the limitations confronted by nondrivers. Interviews with members highlighted every little thing from inaccessible bus schedules to the thrill of exploring neighborhoods on foot.
What fueled this development? A mixture of strategic outreach and grassroots power. With the assistance and steerage of Incapacity Rights Washington, we launched a devoted web site, distributed flyers and stickers, and partnered with nationwide organizations to amplify the marketing campaign’s attain. We additionally supplied funding to native organizations, empowering them to host impactful occasions of their communities.
Partnerships performed a key function. By collaborating with native and nationwide organizations, organizers related communities with decision-makers in ways in which impressed motion. Because the nationwide chief, we had been in a position to present coaching webinars to over 150 members to change finest practices and tailor-made technical help that supported 35 organizations in internet hosting campaigns throughout 25 states.
Insights That Shift Views
WWD members didn’t simply face hurdles like unreliable buses or inaccessible sidewalks, additionally they skilled a deeper understanding of how these limitations have an effect on every day life and mirrored on how their lives would look in the event that they couldn’t drive. As one participant shared, “This expertise has made me more and more sympathetic with individuals who haven’t any different choice than to stroll, particularly these with disabilities. Grocery buying whereas carrying 30 kilos of meals for 2 miles? Practically unattainable.”
A public sector chief wrote: “It makes me actually take into consideration the quantity of house and cash we dedicate to automobiles/automotive drivers, and the way little house, infrastructure, and cash we spend serving to individuals. It additionally makes me take into consideration how the design of our roadways prioritizes the velocity of automobiles, reasonably than the security of individuals strolling, rolling, biking, and utilizing transit.” And an elected determination maker shared her expertise: “I feel a Week With out Driving foregrounds the entry points we’re conscious of however maybe don’t prioritize. I hope that we will use the main focus of a Week With out Driving to commit to alter within the close to time period.”
These reflections underscore WWD’s energy to reshape priorities. In truth, 75% of taking part determination makers expressed curiosity in becoming a member of once more subsequent 12 months, demonstrating the marketing campaign’s influence on people.
Planning for a Greater, Bolder 2025
Constructing on 2024’s momentum, America Walks is setting formidable targets for Week With out Driving 2025. Right here’s what’s in retailer:
- Increasing outreach: We’ll goal elected leaders, public businesses and grassroot organizations in states that haven’t but joined the motion.
- Strengthening partnerships: Collaborating with teams outdoors conventional transportation areas will spotlight the connections between mobility, well being, housing, and the atmosphere.
- Creating new assets: Toolkits for small companies and technical help for public businesses will guarantee even broader participation.
WWD isn’t simply an initiative; it’s a motion. By specializing in native actions and partnerships, we’re proving that change in our transportation system is feasible. And by equipping native organizations with the instruments and assets they want, we’re making a ripple impact that extends far past a single week.
Be a part of us subsequent 12 months for the third nationwide Week With out Driving. We’re dedicated to constructing a future the place everybody, no matter their capability to drive, can transfer safely and freely by way of their neighborhood. Collectively, we will create communities which are protected, accessible, wholesome, related and sustainable for all.
