Join us for Mobility for All, Reflections from Wisconsin’s Week Without Driving on Monday, November 3rd at 12pm CST
Speakers include:
- Zia Brucaya, Round Trip Program Manager, Greater Madison MPO
- Kayla Haas, Marketing & Communications Specialist, Greater Madison MPO
- Cathy Van Maren, La Crosse Area Transit Advocates
- Liz Fryseth, La Crosse Area Transit Advocates
- Andrea Fox, Workplace Culture Specialist, City of Green Bay
Suggested Audience: active transportation advocates, policymakers, government staff
Every year communities across the country participate in the Week Without Driving Challenge, created by America Walks to highlight the day-to-day reality that non-drivers face; unreliable transit, unsafe bike routes, and inaccessible sidewalks. It’s a chance for folks who typically drive to understand the perspective of those who don’t have the option. Guests from Green Bay, La Crosse, and Madison will gather to share stories and strategies from their communities while they advocate for better transportation networks for the 30% of Wisconsinites who do not drive.
Our Transportation Policy Analyst, Raphie, will be facilitating. She also participated in the challenge and reflected on her week without driving. Check out her reflections below and her recap video on Instagram!
As someone who doesn’t drive (or own a car), this challenge was not a major shift in my regular routine. I grew up in Chicago relying on the transit system and took full advantage of free bus rides during my undergraduate years in Madison. I continue to live an active transportation lifestyle since moving to Milwaukee two years ago. The week did, however, allow me space to reflect on my experience navigating Milwaukee by foot, bike, and bus.
Most of my trips involve a lot of planning and take a kind of mental load that isn’t always apparent for folks behind the wheel:
FAST FACTS:
- At least 40% of Milwaukee County residents are non-drivers
- 31% of Wisconsin residents are non-drivers
Wisconsin Geography of the Non-Driver
Participating in this challenge reminded me of how much room there is to grow for Milwaukee’s transportation network; to work better for the non-driver population. Our sidewalks are narrow or cracked. Crosswalks have heavily faded paint and missing signals. Bike lanes are unprotected and often ignored. Yet, there’s momentum for change. Milwaukee is invested in shifting this image of a disconnected and inaccessible mobility network. Milwaukee County received a grant to boost trail connectivity in the 30th street corridor. The city has rolled out its mobility plan, 414 in motion, and has adopted a Vision Zero action plan to take steps toward zero traffic deaths via safer street design, among other strategies.
Being a non-driver has also allowed me to see more of the city, connect with neighbors, patronize the local businesses, and stay active, all while minimizing my carbon footprint. I also recognize the privilege in my experience: I’m able-bodied, work remotely, and I’m familiar with transit systems, or adept at learning them. Many others face these barriers without the same flexibility.
Photos taken by Raphie from walks around the city
So, what could Milwaukee, and other towns and cities around Wisconsin, look like if we prioritized people over cars? Join our upcoming webinar Mobility for All, Reflections from Wisconsin’s Week Without Driving on Monday, November 3rd at 12pm where we’ll explore non-driver stories from cities around Wisconsin and discuss what accessible, equitable transportation could look like and how to get there.
Register Here: https://tinyurl.com/mvkxbbvr