What 2025 participants shared about their Week Without Driving experience:
I had jury duty and was a last-minute sub in for someone at work that week, so planning my time with the bus schedules to get to places on time without rushing was a bit of a challenge.
I saw a lot of new faces, many from friendly older women who would sometimes strike up a conversation with me. I also saw a couple of familiar faces of acquaintances and old friends who I hadn’t seen in a while
Events like this are a good way of engaging the community, but I also feel like peer-to-peer announcements are really helpful too in making the community more aware (i.e. school presentations especially for middle/high schoolers).
Rae – Week Without Driving Contest Participant
The Week Without Driving was great, even in the drizzly rain. I had to allow a lot more time to get from point A to point B, and more time to plan ahead, for routes, timetables, weather, lights for the dark, carrying things etc.
For example, I had a mandatory work meeting in San Francisco on Friday, so I took the Highway 17 bus from Front Street to San Jose Diridon train station, where I then transferred to Caltrain to the last stop in San Francisco, and then walked. Same for the return.
Grocery shopping was the hardest. 2 packs of sparkling water cans are big and heavy. Smaller quantities/more trips are necessary, and a backpack!
It would be very helpful to have BCycle docks at grocery stores: Safeway, Grocery Outlet, Whole Foods, and New Leaf Community Market!
Sonja Brunner
Santa Cruz City Council
It was a pleasure to participate on the ride and at the event in Capitola. The METRO played an important role for our family when we were first married and had a young child. We only had one car for me, my wife and baby. I had a long daily commute to Palo Alto and took the car all day. My wife and baby rode the bus everywhere. When my office moved to San Jose I then took the Hwy 17 Express and my bike.
Greg Wimp
Scotts Valley City Council
I rode the bus and walked during the week. Riding the bus took less time than I expected and I didn’t need to look for a place to park when I arrived at my destination. I also enjoyed not having to drive myself, especially in busy traffic, so I really appreciate the bus operators who do this work. Riding the bus and walking involved more planning than driving because I had to match the bus schedule and walking meant carrying everything I needed on the trip.
Walking was more challenging because drivers didn’t pay enough attention, drove too fast and often didn’t yield to pedestrians, even in crosswalks! Road design needs to focus on keeping pedestrians and cyclists safer. If this means drivers are inconvenienced, it also means people won’t get killed. There are so many ways to do this once decision makers prioritize the lives of everyone who travels.
Rebecca Downing
Santa Cruz METRO Board Director
As a daily bicycle commuter, I believe strongly that bicycles, especially now with ebike options is a real equal or even superior option to driving a car. The health benefits and sometimes even the time savings is a win. The one area of continuous improvement that is needed is education. The bicycle lane is a lane just like any other lane of the roadway. When autos cross the bicycle lane without looking or signaling it puts people in real danger. As a community we need education and awareness to make all modes of transportation safe and efficient.
Matt Machado, PE, LS
Deputy County Administrative Officer
Director of Community Development & Infrastructure
Finding something comfortable to wear while biking while still dressing for a professional environment was challenging but there’s something about biking that makes me feel more connected to the community. The accessibility of a wave or a smile with a stranger is drastically different.
Norman
Week Without Driving Contest Participant
I was impressed by the efficiency of riding the bus and how quickly we were transported around town. It has been a few years since I used the METRO bus system, and I was pleasantly surprised how clean and inviting the bus was on our trip. We should continue investing in public transport systems, which would include making it convenient for human-powered transportation, in our community. I anticipate the roadways are only going to get more congested as time goes on, so I appreciate the work you are doing to help bend that curve.
Chief Steve Walpole (Retired)
Scotts Valley Police Department
During the Week Without Driving, I traveled across Santa Cruz County using METRO and walking between stops and destinations. Every METRO trip begins and ends with a walk or roll, whether by foot, bike, or mobility device. Those connections define how accessible our system truly is. Experiencing the network that way reinforced for me how closely our bus service depends on safe, well-designed pedestrian and cycling infrastructure. Reliable transit alone isn’t enough; it must link seamlessly with the built environment so every person, regardless of ability or location, can travel with dignity and independence. That perspective reinforces METRO’s commitment to building a system that not only moves people but connects communities equitably throughout the county.
Corey Aldridge
CEO Santa Cruz METRO