By Ruth Rosas
When America Walks joined forces with Disability Rights Washington to organize the Week Without Driving (WWD), the goal was straightforward yet profound, to help decision makers experience their community as a nondriver.
What we found is that this experience didn’t just create understanding; it has sparked action across the United States and beyond. Here’s how WWD has evolved since going national last year, what we’ve achieved, and where we’re headed as we set our sights on 2025!
Why Week Without Driving Matters
Did you know that nearly a third of Americans can’t drive? Whether due to age, disability, or financial constraints, millions of people rely on walking, rolling, biking, transit, or some other way to go where they need to go. But decades of car-dependent policies have left most of our communities unprepared to serve nondrivers. Cracked sidewalks, infrequent buses, and dangerous roads harm all of us, but especially vulnerable road users like those with disabilities, seniors, children, and low-income families.
The Momentum of 2024
In its first year, WWD garnered support from 953 organizations and individuals from 41 states and decision makers across 41 states. But in 2024, participation increased dramatically to a total of 3,595 organizations, decision makers and individuals participating! This included:
- Local organizations and organizers, representing all 50 states
- Decision-makers from 45 states, including elected officials from the state and local level, public sector leaders, and professionals
- Individual community members from 46 states
One of WWD’s standout successes in 2024 was its ability to bring local stories to a national audience. From small-town newspapers to online platforms, media coverage helped shine a spotlight on the barriers faced by nondrivers. Interviews with participants highlighted everything from inaccessible bus schedules to the joys of exploring neighborhoods on foot.
What fueled this growth? A mix of strategic outreach and grassroots energy. With the help and guidance of Disability Rights Washington, we launched a dedicated website, distributed flyers and stickers, and partnered with national organizations to amplify the campaign’s reach. We also provided funding to local organizations, empowering them to host impactful events in their communities.
Partnerships played a key role. By collaborating with local and national organizations, organizers connected communities with decision-makers in ways that inspired action. As the national leader, we were able to provide training webinars to over 150 participants to exchange best practices and tailored technical assistance that supported 35 organizations in hosting campaigns across 25 states.
Insights That Shift Perspectives
WWD participants didn’t just face hurdles like unreliable buses or inaccessible sidewalks, they also experienced a deeper understanding of how these barriers affect daily life and reflected on how their lives would look if they couldn’t drive. As one participant shared, “This experience has made me increasingly sympathetic with people who have no other option than to walk, especially those with disabilities. Grocery shopping while carrying 30 pounds of food for two miles? Nearly impossible.”
A public sector leader wrote: “It makes me really think about the amount of space and money we dedicate to cars/car drivers, and how little space, infrastructure, and money we spend helping people. It also makes me think about how the design of our roadways prioritizes the speed of vehicles, rather than the safety of people walking, rolling, biking, and using transit.” And an elected decision maker shared her experience: “I think a Week Without Driving foregrounds the access issues we are aware of but perhaps don’t prioritize. I hope that we can use the focus of a Week Without Driving to commit to change in the near term.”
These reflections underscore WWD’s power to reshape priorities. In fact, 75% of participating decision makers expressed interest in joining again next year, demonstrating the campaign’s impact on individuals.
Planning for a Bigger, Bolder 2025
Building on 2024’s momentum, America Walks is setting ambitious goals for Week Without Driving 2025. Here’s what’s in store:
- Expanding outreach: We’ll target elected leaders, public agencies and grassroot organizations in states that haven’t yet joined the movement.
- Strengthening partnerships: Collaborating with groups outside traditional transportation spaces will highlight the connections between mobility, health, housing, and the environment.
- Creating new resources: Toolkits for small businesses and technical assistance for public agencies will ensure even broader participation.
WWD isn’t just an initiative; it’s a movement. By focusing on local actions and partnerships, we’re proving that change in our transportation system is possible. And by equipping local organizations with the tools and resources they need, we’re creating a ripple effect that extends far beyond a single week.
Join us next year for the third nationwide Week Without Driving. We’re committed to building a future where everyone, regardless of their ability to drive, can move safely and freely through their community. Together, we can create communities that are safe, accessible, healthy, connected and sustainable for all.
Sign up for Week Without Driving 2025 today!
