October 1–8, 2026
What would change in your life if driving was not an option?
Week Without Driving (WWD) is a community challenge that invites people across Santa Cruz County to step out of their cars and experience how they would get around if driving were not available to them. From October 1 through October 8, 2026, we encourage you to walk, roll, bike, ride transit, carpool, or ask for rides whenever possible and reflect on what works, what does not, and what barriers exist for people who rely on these options every day.
This campaign is about building understanding, empathy, and momentum for a more accessible transportation for everyone.
What is Week Without Driving?
Week Without Driving is a national movement that encourages elected officials, community leaders, agencies, organizations, and residents to experience daily life without driving. The goal is not perfection, but perspective. How would I get around without a car?
For many people in our community, driving is not an option due to age, disability, income, access, or other barriers. Week Without Driving highlight those experiences and sparks important conversations about mobility, accessibility, and transportation equity in Santa Cruz County.
Mark Your Calendar!
Week Without Driving: October 1–8, 2026
Join Santa Cruz County in taking part in this weeklong challenge to reflect on what it means to get around without relying on a personal vehicle.
Ridealong
As part of Week Without Driving, Santa Cruz METRO will host a Ridealong. This event encourages elected officials to schedule their own district ridealongs to better understand the rider experience, and engage in conversations about mobility, access, and transportation barriers in our community.
How to Participate
You can take part in a way makes sense for your life and schedule.
- Try something new
Take the bus, walk, roll, bike, or carpool for some or all of your trips during the week.
- Reflect on your experience
What was easy? What was challenging? What surprised you?
- Join the Ridealong
Participate in METRO’s Ridealong event on October 2 and experience public transit alongside others in the community.
- Share your perspective
Post about your experience, talk with coworkers and neighbors, and help raise awareness about the transportation challenges nondrivers face.
- This week is not about perfection
If there are trips you still need to make by car, you have not failed. Week Without Driving is about learning and reflection, not getting every trip “right.”
Why should I participate in a Week Without Driving?
You’ll experience how hard it can be for people who can’t drive to get around safely.
You’ may begin to notice problems with sidewalks, crosswalks, transit, and bike lanes that you normally miss while driving.
You’ll likely walk, roll, bike, or take transit more, which can improve your health and reduce stress.
You may discover that many trips don’t need a car, helping you save money and reduce emissions over time.
Your experience can help you advocate for better, more equitable streets and transportation in your community.
Driving less has a positive impact on the environment, your personal health, and your wallet. By taking part, you’ll contribute to:
- ✔ Reducing Air Pollution: Cleaner air with fewer cars.
- ✔ Lowering Carbon Emissions: Less driving = fewer emissions.
- ✔ Improving Your Health: Walk, bike, or bus your way to better health.
- ✔ Saving Money: Skip gas and parking meters.
- ✔ Building Community: Connect with others traveling sustainably.
Why It Matters in Santa Cruz County
Santa Cruz County has unique transportation challenges. Our geography includes rural communities, mountainous terrain, and corridors where travel options can be limited. While progress is being made through investments in transit, biking, walking, and safety improvements, barriers still exist for many people, especially in areas such as Watsonville, San Lorenzo Valley, and North County.
Week Without Driving is a chance to better understand those realities and support long-term solutions that make it easier for everyone to get where they need to go safely and reliably.
Connect With Community Through Our Local Activities
Week Without Driving in Santa Cruz County brings together community members, local agencies, advocates, and public officials to explore what a more connected and accessible transportation system could look like.
Participants are encouraged to:
- Try traveling without driving for a week, or even for a few trips
- Join the Ridealong event on October 2
- Invite coworkers, family members, or neighbors to join
- Share what they learned
- Help advocate for transportation options that work for everyone
Whether you are a first-time participant or already use transit, walking, biking, or rolling in your daily life, your perspective matters.
METRO and Week Without Driving
Santa Cruz METRO is proud to support Week Without Driving as part of our commitment to sustainable, inclusive transportation across Santa Cruz County. Public transit plays a critical role in helping people access work, school, healthcare, shopping, and everyday destinations without relying on a personal vehicle.
Every ride taken on transit helps reduce congestion and emissions while expanding access and opportunity for our community.
Take the challenge
Join Santa Cruz County for Week Without Driving from October 1–8, 2026 and experience transportation from a different point of view. Whether you participate for one trip, one day, or the full week, your experience can help build awareness and inspire change.
Be sure to join Santa Cruz METRO’s Ridealong event on October 2 as part of the week’s local activities.
For one full week, make an effort to try alternative transportation methods. You can:
- ✔ Walk or bike to work or the store.
- ✔ Take public transit or carpool.
- ✔ Try e-scooters, BCycle bikes, or ride-shares.
- ✔ Batch errands to save trips.
How to Join:
Sign Up: Register online to receive a toolkit with tips and resources.
Track Your Progress: Log your daily transportation habits and share using #AWeekWithoutDriving.
Get Involved: Encourage friends and family to join for a bigger impact.
Learn more:
To learn more about the national Week Without Driving movement, visit weekwithoutdriving.org.
