South Pas Active Streets Invites Residents to Join ‘Week Without Driving’ on Sept. 30

Bike Bus in South Pasadena (File Photo – Frederick Eberhardt)

South Pas Active Streets is inviting people to minimize car use Sept. 30 through Oct. 6 as part of a national program known as a “Week Without Driving”.

The Week Without Driving was launched in 2021 under a partnership between America Walks and Disability Rights Washington.

South Pas Active Streets co-founder Casey Law said local residents can participate in a number of ways:

• join the local organization’s regularly scheduled bike bus and walking bus programs at both Marengo and Arroyo Vista Elementary Schools,
• simply walking to do an errand,
• try out public transit to commute.
• register their elementary-aged child or volunteer themselves for a youth-oriented safe bicycling workshop from 10:00 am to noon Oct. 5 on the Marengo Elementary School playground.

“The important thing,” said Law, “is not necessarily to eliminate all use of your car, but to simply try out alternative forms of transportation.” Active transportation alternatives to cars provide exercise and related health benefits to residents, plus reduce air pollution and climate change.

A Week Without Driving was started to raise awareness of the difficulties faced by 30 percent of Americans who cannot drive due to ability or age.

Walk bus in South Pasadena (Photo – South Pas Active Streets)

Living without a car

South Pasadena resident Yvonne LaRose has lived without a car since 1993 and relies on city services for her daily transportation needs. “You have to do some amazing planning to use the affordable on-demand services,” she says. “Our city hosts many wonderful events on weekends, but sometimes it almost isn’t worth the effort.”

Active Streets organizers note that the Week Without Driving offers an opportunity for drivers to see the difficulties non-drivers face in getting around and to inspire people and community leaders to address barriers and gaps in the transportation system.

South Pasadena residents can pledge participation by going to SouthPasActive.org to fill out a pledge form.  Residents also can go to WeekWithoutDriving.org to learn more about the program and find inspiration to try out alternative forms of transportation.

South Pasadenans who participate are encouraged to share their experiences on social media with #weekwithoutdriving and tag @southpasactive and @southpasadenaca. South Pas Active Streets plans to share a synopsis of participants’ experiences after the Week Without Driving closes.