Take the pledge: Day Without Driving
Sustain Charlotte, Charlotte Regional Transportation Coalition (CRTC), Mecklenburg County Air Quality, Charlotte Office of Sustainability and Resilience, Charlotte Department of Transportation (CDOT), and Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS) invite you to join us for a Day Without Driving on Thursday, October 3, 2024.
What: Day Without Driving is an educational and awareness campaign that focuses on reflection, knowledge, and understanding of the needs of people who don’t drive, including up to one-third of residents in Mecklenburg County. It is inspired by a national campaign being held the same week called Week Without Driving.
Will you join us and commit to one day without driving in solidarity with our neighbors who must reach their destinations every day without driving? This means taking trips to work and other activities by walking, taking the bus or light rail, riding a bike or scooter, carpooling or hailing a taxi or rideshare to get to your destinations. This applies to all activities, not just work commutes!
When: We’re holding this challenge on Thursday, October 3, with the hopes that concentrating participation will deliver the biggest impact. However, if this date isn’t feasible for you, pick one that does between Monday, September 30 and Sunday, October 6.
How: Take the pledge and then share your experience with your family, friends, colleagues and the public. Commit to the Day Without Driving here.
Why: The challenge provides an opportunity for decision-makers and the public to experience and empathize with the experiences of approximately one-third of Mecklenburg County residents who do not drive. By better understanding the challenges those who do not drive face on a daily basis, we hope it will lead to more support for improving our transportation system for non-drivers by investing in transit, bicycle, and pedestrian infrastructure.
Who: Members of Charlotte City Council, the Metropolitan Transit Commission, and Mecklenburg County Board of Commissioners and YOU! We encourage everyone who lives and works in Mecklenburg County to participate!
As of September 20, the elected and non-elected public officials listed below have committed to join the Day Without Driving challenge:
- Charlotte Council Member Dimple Ajmera
- Charlotte Council Member James Mitchell, Jr.
- Mecklenburg County Commissioner Laura Meier
- Matthews Commissioner Renee Garner
- Matthews’ Director of Public Works C.J. O’Neill
- Huntersville Mayor Christy Clark
- Gaston-Cleveland-Lincoln Metropolitan Planning Organization Administrator Randi Gates
- Mayor Pro Tem of Huntersville Jennifer Hunt
How it started:
This challenge was launched in 2021 by Disability Rights Washington. After two successful years, last year, in partnership with America Walks, they took the Week Without Driving national. More than 142 organizations across 41 states and the District of Columbia joined the challenge in 2023, and the 2024 Week Without Driving is Monday, September 30 – Sunday, October 6, 2024.