The Week Without Driving is an annual, national event to shed light on the challenges and experiences of non-drivers. At Cal Poly Humboldt, this event offers the opportunity for campus leaders, campus planners, faculty, staff and students - those who regularly drive - to learn firsthand about the barriers and challenges that nondrivers face and how they cope in a car-centric world, and to work with nondrivers to create a more accessible campus for all.

Week Without Driving 

Monday, September 29th - Sunday, October 5th

Sign up and more info at: https://transportationpriorities.org/weekwithoutdriving/  

Approximately one third of the US population - people with disabilities, students who cannot afford cars or gas, seniors, those passionate about combatting climate change, issues with immigration status, the very young - rely on walking, rolling, transit and asking for rides.

It is easy to participate:

• You can get around however you like, but the challenge is to not drive yourself in a personal vehicle. If you do end up driving during the week, you can reflect on why you ended up driving, and what you would have done if you didn’t (or chose not to have) that option

• You can ask someone else to drive you, but note how much you “owe” this person in their time and if you feel obligated to support them in other ways (ie, doing the dishes). If you ride hail or taxi, think about how the cost impacts your decision if this was regularly your only option.

• If you find it really challenging to not drive (e.g., you don’t live in a walkable area served by transit), take a moment to think about how someone who could not/chooses not to drive might cope. If you cannot find an alternative to driving, reflect on how this might limit your opportunities in life. This is actually a success because part of the purpose is to see the world from other perspectives.

Need help figuring out transportation alternatives? Check out the Sustainable Campus Commute & Transportation resource page.