What if, just for one week, you experienced your daily life without relying on a car? How might it change your perspective on the way our community moves? Those of us who can drive or afford a car may not understand what it’s like to rely on walking, rolling, transit, or asking for rides. But for nearly a third of people [1] living in the United States, that is an everyday situation.
[2]From September 29 through October 5, the City of Alameda invites us to join in the Week Without Driving [4], a national event organized by America Walks [5].
“We created the Week Without Driving experience 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,” organizers stated.
Here are a few suggestions for how to get the full experience, according to organizers:
- Every trip counts: You can get around however you want, but the challenge is to not drive yourself.
- Asking or paying for rides: You can ask someone else to drive you or use a ride service like Uber, but make a note of how much you spend or feel you “owe” the person who gave you a ride. How might that impact you if this was regularly your only option?
- If you must drive: If you have to drive, consider how someone without that option would have coped, and what choices they might have made.
The point of the challenge is to try to understand firsthand what your choices are in terms of transportation, and who has those same choices.
“This isn’t a disability simulation or a test of how easily you can find alternatives,” organizers say. “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.”
Getting around Alameda and the Bay Area
Alameda has a wealth of transportation options, including bus and ferry service to Oakland and San Francisco, sidewalks on almost all streets, and bikeways across town. More information:
- Bus, Shuttles, and BART [6]
- Oakland Alameda Water Shuttle [7]
- SF Bay Ferry [8]
- Alameda Connect: Transportation Services for Seniors and People with Disabilities [9]
- Bicycling [10]
- Walking [11]
- Getting to School [12]
The City wants to hear from you
All of our voices matter in this conversation. Your participation can bring fresh perspectives and valuable insights into the challenges and opportunities within our local transportation system.
The City of Alameda wants to hear from you. Share your transportation experiences with Communications & Legislative Affairs Director Sarah Henry via email at [email protected] [13].
And sign up to receive updates [14] from the America Walks team and stay connected to the Week Without Driving community.