A Week Without Driving

Imagine a week without your car. How would you get to work, school, the grocery store, or the doctor? A week without a car, especially in Oklahoma, seems nearly impossible. For many of us, driving feels like a given. But for millions of Americans, it’s not an option.

In fact, one out of every three Americans is unable to drive a private vehicle. That means daily decisions, such as if there is a place to walk and/or bike, if it is even safe to, or whether they can afford public transportation or a ride share, or whether a friend can give them a ride, become constant concerns. People with cars rarely have to think about these stressors, yet they can contribute to everyday challenges like limited independence and access to opportunities.

Transportation is not just about getting from point A to point B. The effects of unreliable modes of transportation are widespread. Without reliable methods of transportation, people may struggle with getting their education, receiving necessary medical care, holding a job, or picking up groceries—daily tasks that many Americans rely on their vehicle for every day.

The truth is, our communities are built around cars. Public transit can be limited, and walking or biking can often feel unsafe or impractical. We need to improve infrastructure in Central Oklahoma communities to make walking easier. That’s where A Week Without Driving comes in. From Monday, September 29, through Sunday, October 5, 2025, this national educational campaign is challenging participants to give up driving for a week. Led by American Walks and the Disability Rights Institute, the campaign aims to have participants experience firsthand what it’s like to rely on other options: public transit, bicycling, walking, scooters, ride shares, or getting a lift from friends.

The goal of this challenge isn’t perfection, it’s perspective. If you must drive during the week, take note of how often you depend on your car, how much transportation costs add up, and what alternatives might or might not be available if driving weren’t an option.

If you’re in Central Oklahoma and want to participate, here are some local resources to help you get around without driving:

• Edmond

• Bus System Map – Edmond Citylink

• Paratransit Service – Citylink Access Paratransit Service (CAPS) 

• Bike Trails Storymap 

• Norman

• Bus System Map – EMBARK Norman

• Paratransit Service – EMBARK Norman PLUS 

• On-Demand Service – Norman On-Demand

• Bike Routes Map

• Oklahoma City

• Bus System Map – EMBARK 

• Paratransit Service: EMBARK PLUS

• Bike Routes Map

• Bike Bus Program for Schools – Bike Club OKC

  
  

Week Without Driving is more than a challenge; it is a chance to understand the barriers that one third of Americans face every day, to think differently about how we move through our communities, and to become stronger advocates for dismantling the barriers many face daily.

If you are interested in learning more or signing up, please visit weekwithoutdriving.com. Share your experience on social media with the hashtag #WeekWithoutDriving.