Joining communities nationwide, the City of Cleveland is currently in the midst of its Week Without Driving, an initiative running from September 29 to October 5, that asks residents to eschew personal cars for the span of seven days. The program, as noted on the City of Cleveland's website, isn’t just a quirky challenge but a moment to step into the shoes of nearly a quarter of Clevelanders who live this reality daily due to various barriers preventing them from driving. This week-long foray into a car-free experience is as much about empathy as it is about exploring alternative transportation avenues in the urban landscape.
The organizing principle is straight to the point: Do not drive yourself in any car for one week. Whether for work, errands, or outings, the aim is to rely on Cleveland's public and shared transit options, or even a neighbor’s benevolence – though with consciousness of the ask.
Cleveland's public transport and alternative mobility solutions seek to fill the void for those partaking in the journey of a week without personal vehicular travel. The Regional Transit Authority (RTA) offers a comprehensive network of rapid transit and bus lines enveloping the city. For micro-mobility aficionados, there are the shared e-scooters and e-bikes, courtesy of operators like Bird and Veo. Veo has even thrown in a carrot, presenting a special discount with $5 in ride credit available via the code CARFREE25, while Bird counters with an offer of a free 15-minute trip for new users punching in the code CLEWWD2025.
Additionally, the pedestrian realm and a suite of multi-use trails await the feet and wheels of Cleveland’s populace, ready to guide them through the city's diverse neighborhoods. And not to be overlooked, the Cleveland Water Taxi presents itself as a scenic alternative for those needing to navigate the city's waterside stretches. All of these options coalesce to form a multi-modal tapestry, inviting residents to engage with the city's rhythms sans the isolation and carbon footprint of the personal automobile.
