I’m participating in the national challenge “Week Without Driving” (Sept. 30 – Oct. 6) to showcase the barriers that non-drivers face when trying to move safely in our communities, and recommit to Raleigh being a great place for everyone to get around, including those who don’t use a personal motor vehicle. People without a car or unable to drive should be able to get to where they need to go safely and effectively. But every day, Americans who can’t drive – approximately a third of the population – face significant barriers to mobility such as inadequate sidewalks, poor transit, lack of connectivity and dangerous roads. The needs of non-drivers are too-often disregarded in transportation infrastructure and policies. My goal is a transportation system designed to support all individuals, regardless of ability, age, or income, that connects our communities and enhances our quality of life.
So here’s my experience halfway through the week without driving:
Monday: 4 trips by e-bike; 2 trips carpooling with my husband
I biked to work like usual, a casual ride on Walnut Creek greenway from Lake Johnson to N.C. State’s Centennial campus. This would be my first time going to the doctor’s office in West Raleigh by bike – a 30 minute commute that would have taken 10 minutes by car. It was a pretty trek thru the NC Museum of Art grounds, but it would have been harder with a regular bicycle through the hills. The e-bike makes hills a breeze. I peered over the 440 traffic on Reedy Creek Trail bridge, def not going that way! I had to ride on the sidewalk along Blue Ridge Rd and Lake Boone Trail, way too scary to ride with traffic; I was extra careful at intersections and crossing driveways. A couple easy pit stops on the way back for lunch and a pharmacy errand which were simpler on bike because I didn’t have to find or pay for parking. I noted less flexibility in terms of what I had for the day was what I had: I couldn’t run home quickly for a change of clothes if it rained or I forgot something. It rained several times throughout the day and I luckily missed those showers; I could have been drenched. Schedule flexibility helped a lot.
My husband doesn’t bike commute so a grocery store run that evening meant he was driving. I went with him and picked up more groceries than I could comfortably take home solo on a bike. But if we both rode with double panniers, we could have managed.
Tuesday: 2 trips by e-bike; 1 trip by bus; 1 trip by rideshare
This is a City Council day so I needed to be downtown and go to the eastside of Raleigh to drop off paperwork at the Wake County Board of Elections, typically a 20 minute drive by car on I-440. I downloaded the Go Raleigh bus Umo app and put $5 on it, ready to go. I left my house at 9:45 am by e-bike and parked at downtown’s busy transit center at 10:05. I just missed the #15 bus, so needed to wait 15 minutes for the next one. A guy told me I better not leave my bike pannier at the bike rack so I moved my bike a block away where I’ve left it before with no problems. I walked back and found the next #15 bus ready to go. I paid $1.25 with the Umo app no problem. The bus was half full, some folks with significant stuff – suitcases and coolers. One guy placed a bike on the front of the bus. The bus left at 10:20. I needed to get across town and back by 11:30 for a meeting. We arrived at the Walmart on New Hope Road at 10:55. I walked 0.3 miles, including across 9 lanes of traffic on New Bern Avenue and then along the grass (no sidewalk) to my destination. I arrived at 11:02 am, a total 1 hr 17 minute journey that would have saved me one hour by car. After doing my business, I called an Uber to get back downtown in time for my meeting. Uber cost $18.96 plus tip. I got dropped off at 11:22 (11 minutes instead of 32 by bus).
I e-biked home from downtown after City Council. This is a fun ride through the Warehouse District, Boylan Heights, Dix Park, Centennial campus, and along the Walnut Creek greenway.
Wednesday: 2 trips carpooling with husband and dog; 2 trips by car – BOO; 2 trips by e-bike
I worked from home so didn’t need to commute but I did travel with my husband and dog Willow by car to play disc golf. This was an unnecessary trip but good for family bonding and getting some exercise outside. I had to drive for the first time to drop off campaign signs for distribution in Garner – 43 signs that I only could have carried by bike with a bike trailer (I don’t have one) and 15 miles of roads not designed for biking. No bus stop near my destination either. I rode by e-bike to the library in the evening, a quick ride and finished the day with a joy ride around the non-paved section of Lake Johnson. I biked slowly (under 10 mph) because that’s the rule. Bicyclists: please don’t speed around our parks, thanks:)
Thursday what’s planned: 4 trips by e-bike; 2 trips by car – FAIL!
The day will start with my typical bike commute to NC State’s centennial campus. I’m visiting members of ONE Wake at Watts Church on Tryon Road for lunch so I’ll take the e-bike on new terrain off of Trailwood Road, likely requiring use of the sidewalk to get there safely.
In the evening, I plan to drive to the Triangle Rock Club (TRC). Climbing is what keeps me sane when stressed and I’m not willing to give it up, even with this challenge. TRC has 3 locations, including one in Raleigh but the shortest bus ride would be to the Morrisville location at 1 hour 11 minutes. I don’t have time to do that roundtrip so will drive my personal vehicle to the gym.
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