An alley mural in Adams Morgan by Diane Krauthamer licensed under Creative Commons.

About 270,000, or 38%, of District residents, don’t own a car. These residents rely on walking or rolling, public transit, biking, and carpooling to get around. You may belong to this group of residents, or know someone who is. For many, disability is a key reason why they rely on public transit and active transportation. For others, it may be due to low income or preference. Some may not own a car because of a combination of these factors.

No matter what form of transportation you use most often, there are likely barriers you experience during your trips that cause minor inconveniences at best, or rule out that mode of transportation, or even cause you harm at worst. The consequences of these barriers may include injury due to traffic violence, tardiness at work, missed medical appointments, lack of access to fresh and nutritious food, and social isolation.

One of the best ways to begin understanding systemic issues in transportation is through first-hand experience. How can our leaders know what it’s like to bike their child to school, walk to the grocery store, or rely on the bus to get to medical or work appointments if they don’t do so regularly themselves?

That’s why the DC Transportation Equity Network, a coalition managed by GGWash, is bringing the first-ever National Week Without Driving to DC from Monday, October 2 to Sunday, October 8, in partnership with the Disability Mobility Initiative and America Walks. We’re joining disability rights and transportation equity advocates from across the country to invite our local leaders to thoughtfully consider how they travel and learn with us during #WeekWithoutDriving.

The DC Transportation Equity Network invited Mayor Bowser, all members of the DC Council, all Advisory Neighborhood Commissioners, leaders at DDOT, and WMATA leaders to commit to the National Week Without Driving.

What is National Week Without Driving, and why does it matter?

National Week Without Driving is a campaign, the goal of which is to get public officials to better understand the barriers that non-drivers face when getting around their communities.

The Disability Mobility Initiative started the campaign in Washington State in 2021 by challenging public officials to a week without driving. Leaders who participated were profoundly affected by the experience, many of whom recognized a greater need for investments in non-car forms of transportation and infrastructure because they weren’t able to get around without a car during the week. In Washington, Governor Jay Inslee signed a proclamation for that state’s Week Without Driving in 2022.

While a proclamation is a meaningful symbolic gesture from Washington’s governor, we recognize the need for concrete action by our leaders – both in the District and in communities nationwide.

SustainableDC, the District’s plan “to make DC the healthiest, greenest, more livable city for all residents,” recognizes that there are communities within DC where walking, the most basic form of transportation, isn’t viable because of a lack of investment in transit and sidewalk infrastructure. The plan sets goals of reducing commuter trips made by car to 25% of total mode share by 2032, increasing commuter trips made by public transit to 50% of total mode share in all wards by 2032, and increasing commuter trips made by walking or biking to 25% of total mode share by 2032.

Seniors, young people, people with disabilities, people who can’t afford to buy and own a car, and those who choose not to drive deserve accessible, reliable, comfortable, and affordable transportation options.

What’s going on in the District during the #WeekWithoutDriving?

The National Week Without Driving coincidentally aligns well with three major events related to reimagining how our streets can better serve all residents:

First is the DC Council’s hearing on four traffic enforcement bills. It will be jointly hosted by the Committee on Transportation and the Environment and the Public Works and Operations Committee from 9:30 AM on Wednesday, October 4. Anyone can testify, so if you have thoughts on these bills, please sign up to testify here.

Second is Walk to School Day, also on Wednesday, October 4, which “celebrates the joy and independence of families choosing non-car modes for their school commutes.” It highlights the joy associated with walking to school, but also the safety, health, environmental, and community benefits associated with more people walking to school.

The third is Open Streets Georgia Avenue, which will close the portion of Georgia Avenue between Missouri Avenue and Barry Place NW to car traffic on Saturday, October 7 from 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM (the festival is from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM). This festival will “help users reimagine public space to prioritize people over cars, provide easy access to recreation and other health-oriented programming, and promote economic development by supporting local businesses.” It’s also a lot of fun!

With all of the buzz going on between the traffic enforcement hearing, Walk to School Day, and Open Streets, the #WeekWithoutDriving is the perfect opportunity for our leaders to put their words to action to better understand the needs of their constituents who can’t or don’t drive. They can do this all while connecting with their communities.

Who we’ve invited

In an ideal world, only 25% of our leaders would say “no” to our invitation, aligned with the District’s goal of reducing commuter trips made by car to 25% of total modeshare by 2032. Alas, we don’t live in an ideal world, and this is the first time we’re hosting this in the District so there are lessons to be learned.

So far in the District, Councilmember Charles Allen (Ward 6), the chairperson of the Council’s Committee on Transportation and the Environment, has committed. So too has Councilmember Trayon White (Ward 8), along with nearly 15 ANC commissioners representing communities in almost every ward.

From WMATA, General Manager/CEO Randy Clarke and the two DC representatives on the WMATA Board of Directors, Dr. Tracy Hadden Loh and Spring Worth, have agreed to participate.

I welcome any public official in DC who’s interested in participating to reach out to me at khall [at] ggwash.org. Even if it’s committing to one day of the #WeekWithoutDriving, even if you decide to drive sometimes or even if – maybe especially if – you enjoy driving, we welcome your participation.

Driving during the #WeekWithoutDriving does not signify failure. In fact, if participating officials have to drive every day of the week, that’s okay! What we want to encourage is thoughtful reflection about what someone who may not have the option to drive would do in situations where you choose to drive. What barriers might you notice about your street or your neighborhood that you might not have noticed before? How might those barriers be addressed so that everyone can get around safely, conveniently, and with dignity?

How can you participate?

While this campaign mainly focuses on inviting public officials to learn with us about the barriers residents who can’t or don’t drive face when getting around, anyone can participate! To commit to the #WeekWithoutDriving, please sign up here.

I encourage you to read more about why #WeekWithoutDriving was started, share your experiences on social media with #WeekWithoutDriving, and talk with your neighbors and friends about your experience doing so.

You can also come talk to me about your experience participating in this campaign! I’ll hold a table at Sonny’s Pizza at 3120 Georgia Avenue NW, Washington DC from 2:00 to 4:30 PM on Saturday, October 7 during OpenStreets Georgia Avenue, so come grab a slice of pizza with me if you’re around. I hope to see you there!

Editor’s note: GGWash’s board chair Dr. Tracy Hadden Loh is mentioned in this article. She has no involvement with editorial decision-making.

This post was updated to reflect the most updated list of participating public officials as of 10/02/23.