Milwaukee County Residents Called on to Rethink the Daily Drive During the “Week Without Driving”
Participants are encouraged to experience the challenges and benefits facing the 40% of people in Milwaukee County who don’t, or can’t, drive
MILWAUKEE COUNTY – More than a third of people in Wisconsin, and 40% in Milwaukee County, cannot drive due to age, disability, income, and other factors that affect their daily transportation needs. To help build understanding of these challenges, all Milwaukee County residents are invited to participate in, reflect on, and share their experiences during Week Without Driving from October 1-8, 2026.
“For thousands of people in our community, getting to work, school, or other important activities isn’t as easy as simply getting in a car,” said Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley. “Participating in Week Without Driving is an opportunity for policymakers and community members to strengthen their understanding of the options that exist for nondrivers so we can continue to work toward a transportation network that serves everyone.”
Week Without Driving in Milwaukee County is a coordination between Milwaukee County, MobiliSE, and the Transit is Milwaukee Coalition, along with other community partners, to bring attention to infrastructure, services, and policies that support access for nondrivers countywide.
“Our ability to fully participate in our community – to get to work, school, the doctor, church, or simply enjoy our lives – shouldn’t depend on having a car,” said Milwaukee County Board Chairwoman Marcelia Nicholson-Bovell. “Week Without Driving reminds us that a strong transportation network creates freedom and connection, while giving all of us opportunities to save money, improve air quality, and reduce our environmental impact. I hope residents will join us, experience Milwaukee County differently, and help us imagine what even better transportation can look like.”
How to Participate in Week Without Driving in Milwaukee County
Throughout October 1 – 8, elected officials, policymakers, and community members are invited to reflect and share experiences about what life is like without driving. They can:
- Reduce or eliminate driving from October 1-8 by riding the bus, walking, biking/scooting, or asking for rides to understand what it takes to get where you need to go without driving.
- Take the Week Without Driving pledge and attend one of the many events that will take place throughout the Week. The pledge and a full list of events are available at www.mobilisewi.org/weekwithoutdriving.
- Sign up for CommuteWISE to log trips and track stats along with others in the community. Log in or sign up at connect.commutewise.org
- Engage with the MCTS Forward system redesign with input about the bus network’s future. MCTS will host a Week Without Driving kick-off event on October 1 at the Wauwatosa Public Library. The event is one of dozens of community events to get public feedback about the future of the transit system during its redesign process. More information is available at www.ridemcts.com/programs/mcts-forward.
- Attend MobiliSE’s Fall Summit on October 8 to join a community conversation. Join elected officials, community leaders, transportation professionals, advocates and transit riders to chart a path forward for better transportation choices for all. Register and find the agenda at www.mobilisewi.org/fallsummit2026
- Share experiences when going car-free. Even though a third of Americans don’t drive, most people aren’t aware of the barriers those without access to personal vehicles face. Take photos and post experiences on social media using the hashtag #weekwithoutdrivingmke.
About Week Without Driving in Milwaukee County
Milwaukee County, MobiliSE, and the Transit is Milwaukee Coalition are coordinating Week Without Driving with a number of community partners, including, but not limited to, the City of Milwaukee, MCTS, MilWALKee Walks, Bublr Bikes, Southeastern Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission’s CommuteWISE initiative, Pa’Ti Mujer, Oak Leaf Familia, Red, Bike & Green, URBANista, and Independence First.
A full list of events, and more information about Week Without Driving in Milwaukee County, is available at www.mobilisewi.org/weekwithoutdriving.
About the National Week Without Driving Movement
In 2021, author and disabled advocate Anna Zivarts launched the Week Without Driving to increase the visibility of nondrivers. Now in its sixth year, Week Without Driving has grown to include more than 700 cohosting organizations across all fifty US states, Canada, and Australia. More information about the national observance is here: Week Without Driving: October 1-8, 2026
NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.
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