National #WeekWithoutDriving is happening from September 29th until October 5th, and you’re invited to join the Clean Air Council!

We’re asking elected officials, community leaders, and anyone else to step into the shoes of the almost one-third of Americans who don’t drive. So many groups don’t drive – youths, people with disabilities, senior citizens, and those who can’t afford cars or gas, or just don’t want to – relying on public transportation, cycling, or walking to get around every day.

Week Without Driving highlights how car-centered public spaces ignore the needs and safety of pedestrians with infrastructure. We invite you to join us in this experience, whether you try not to drive for the entire week or embrace transit, walking, rolling, and biking for a few trips! Every effort counts towards creating a more connected and equitable world. If you’re already a non-driver, please encourage your friends, family, and your elected officials to go a Week Without Driving! 

Transit Forward Philly is hosting a Week Without Driving Kick-Off event on Monday, September 29th, at 5:30 PM at their office on Walnut to learn more about the event, and meet mobility advocates from all over the city. Learn more about the event and RSVP here.

Clean Air Council is thrilled to once again be partnering with Indego for Cycle September, a month-long challenge to promote cycling in Philadelphia and beyond. If you’re not already a bike rider, there are plenty of reasons to get involved, and signing up is free and easy. Here are just a few reasons you should join the challenge!

1. You Can Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions

The best benefit to riding a bicycle instead of driving a gas-burning vehicle is that it saves greenhouse gases from entering the atmosphere. These gases are the ones baking our planet, making it hotter and more difficult to live on. Using your own body to power your transportation may sound like a small contribution. But transportation accounts for the largest portion of total U.S. greenhouse gas emissions, so it’s crucial that we take steps to address this impact as a community.

2. Every Little Trip Counts

Consider taking a bike to work, to school, to meet up with friends, to run errands, or just for fun! If you’re used to driving a car everywhere, you may be surprised how many of your trips could be completed on a bike. In 2022, the Department of Energy reported that 52% of car trips are for distances under 3 miles and 28% of total trips are to destinations under a mile away. You don’t have to go very far to make a difference! 

3. Alleviate a Little SEPTA Mayhem

Did you know that before its funding was cut SEPTA kept 675,000 cars off the road? Thanks to recent punctures to the public transit system, car traffic (and the pollution it brings) is bound to increase in our region. Plus, reports show the cuts to SEPTA’s services have resulted in crowded buses, skipped stops, and long wait times. By biking, you’ll not only help lower local emissions, but you’ll also help alleviate some of the pressure on Philly’s “new normal” as riders adjust to fewer SEPTA routes and services. If you’ve previously considered hopping on a bike instead of the bus, now might be a good time to try it out.

4. Earn Exciting Prizes

For Cycle September, Clean Air Council and Indego encourage Philadelphians to take at least 5 one-way trips on two wheels. Once you’re registered for the challenge, you simply need to log your bike rides and you’ll be automatically entered into drawings for exciting prizes. Not ready to commit? Even if you take just one trip, you’ll be eligible for a swag bag giveaway from Go Philly Go! 

5. You Don’t Even Need a Bike! 

Don’t own a bike? Don’t worry, you can still participate in Cycle September. Indego, Philadelphia’s bike-share system, has over 250 stations throughout the city where you can rent a manual or electric bike and ride to popular events and places. If you’re taking part in the challenge, you can enjoy a discount on your first month with code INDECYCLE25. 

6. Recreational Rides Count, Too

Can’t commute by bike? Work from home? Luckily, recreational rides count toward Cycle September! If you’re in need of inspiration, you can use GoPhillyGo to find accessible biking trails and exciting places to experience in Philadelphia. The mobile-friendly site has plenty of destination ideas and biking routes. Our favorite trips include:

• Take a ride along the river on the Schuylkill River Trail and stop by Fairmount Waterworks to view the falls. Take a break at the Cosmic Café and Ciderhouse or continue riding up scenic Kelly Drive. 
• Parks on Tap is in full swing, bringing drinks and food to a different park location every weekend during September. It’s a great way to visit greenspaces throughout the city. 
• Want to go a bit further out into nature? Take a ride on the Wissahickon Valley Park Trail. 

By changing how you get around, you can lower greenhouse gas emissions and improve local air quality. Join Clean Air Council’s Cycle September challenge by biking instead of driving a car and you’ll be joining cyclists all over the city that are making Philadelphia more sustainable each day.