If you can drive or afford a car, you may not understand what it’s like to rely on walking, rolling, transit and asking for rides. Every October, Week Without Driving challenges people who have the option to drive to learn firsthand about the barriers and challenges that nondrivers face by getting around without getting behind the wheel.
At Commute Seattle, we took this opportunity to reflect on how we move through our region. Several of our team members shared their experiences through Instagram Story takeovers throughout the week. While many of us already walk, bike, or ride transit regularly, we approached this week with fresh eyes and deeper reflection. Below are some highlights and lessons from our team.
Finding New Places by Foot and Transit
For Flo, who doesn’t have a driver’s license, walking and public transit are already part of daily life. This week gave her a chance to explore even more of the city.
“I was lucky enough to have a new route added to my list when I ventured out to Queen Anne for an appointment. Route 24 took me to W Elliott and W Thomas St, where I enjoyed a beautiful view and a new overlook spot. It’s amazing what you can discover and how you can view our city when you are on foot and on public transit.”
— Flo
Flo’s story is a great reminder that moving around the city without a car often allows for a more personal and grounded connection to Seattle’s neighborhoods.
The Ups and Downs of Biking
Tara chose to bike for most of the week. She found the experience energizing and mood-boosting, especially at the end of the workday.
“I noticed that I was in a better mood at the end of the day when I chose an active commute home.” — Tara
Not every moment was smooth. One day involved unexpectedly transporting a lot more than she planned, after cleaning out her desk for an office move.
“If I was driving, I could have easily thrown my stuff in the car. Instead, I was lucky to have a bike basket and a bungee cord.”
Tara also pointed out that for those who can’t bike or drive, transit may not always be a flexible or reliable backup. On her route, the nearest bus only comes every 30 minutes.
When Transit Isn’t Practical or Accessible
Zarina’s experience highlighted how limited transit options can become a major barrier, especially when traveling across counties or to destinations outside central Seattle.
On a typical day, Zarina is a fast-ferry commuter from Bremerton to Seattle. “Driving stresses me out. I love being able to relax and enjoy my commute to work.”
During the Week Without Driving, she needed to attend a work conference in Tacoma. She had no direct transit options. The only transit path involved traveling to Seattle first, making it a three-hour trip each way. Zarina decided to drive that day, which cost more money, but saved hours of time.
“Just because public transit is available in a neighborhood, it doesn’t mean it’s reasonable to take transit depending on the destination.”
Zarina also noted how transit can be especially difficult for people with mobility limitations. While her neighborhood is walkable for her, she noted that steep hills and long transfers would make .
What This Week Taught Us
Week Without Driving gave us time to reflect on our own transportation choices and challenges. It helped us understand more clearly what works, what doesn’t, and what needs to change to make car-free travel more viable for everyone.
While many of us enjoy walking, biking, or using transit, this week made one thing clear. For people who don’t have the option to drive, gaps in the system can have a serious impact on daily life, especially for trips outside of a typical commute.
Affordable and frequent transit, safer streets, and accessible infrastructure are not just nice to have. They are essential. Without them, people can be cut off from jobs, healthcare, community, and opportunity.
Moving Forward
At Commute Seattle, we envision a region where affordable and sustainable transportation options are the best way for everyone to connect to the important places in their lives.
We’re grateful to our team for sharing honest, personal stories throughout Week Without Driving.
If you participated this year, we’d love to hear how it went for you. What did you learn? What did you struggle with? And what changes would make a difference in your daily travel? Send us a note with your reflections. You can find more from our Week Without Driving reflections on our Instagram.