[Information provided by the City of North Bend]
Mayor Mary Miller has proclaimed September 29 through October 5 as Week Without Driving in North Bend, joining a statewide effort to raise awareness about the challenges faced by those who do not drive.
At the September 16 City Council meeting, Mayor Miller said, “I encourage all community members to use public transportation, walk, ride a bike – whatever that looks like to you – and use ride-sharing options, including carpooling, for your everyday travel needs.”
Nearly one-third of Washington residents are nondrivers, including people with disabilities, young people, seniors, and those who cannot afford cars or gas. By experiencing a week without driving, residents can gain a deeper understanding of how the transportation system can be improved to better serve everyone.
Hopelink’s Snoqualmie Valley Mobility Coalition Coordinator, Lyn McCarthy, accepted the proclamation and highlighted the importance of transportation access. “[Our] mission is to help people who are working to exit poverty,” she said. “The problem is that people need a way to get services – employment, education, housing, food. Especially in rural areas like where we live, transportation is limited for those folks.”
The Week Without Driving is a program designed to help people who typically have the option to drive understand what it is like to rely on walking, rolling, transit, and rides from others.
The campaign calls on participants to experience these barriers firsthand and work with non-drivers to create more accessible communities for all.
Residents can view Mayor Miller’s full proclamation on the City of North Bend website at www.northbendwa.gov. The city hopes that this recognition will inspire more people to consider how their transportation choices affect others and how small changes can contribute to a more inclusive future.
