Asheville’s annual Strive Not to Drive week is coming up, May 16-23.
Strive Not to Drive promotes active and sustainable transportation in Asheville and Buncombe County by encouraging us to reconsider how we move throughout our city.
Several activities are scheduled for the week, including free bus fares, commuter stations throughout the city with breakfast and goodies to make your commute easier, and bike corrals at this year’s Downtown After 5 concerts.
“We know that using public transportation, walking, bicycling or carpooling to work benefits the environment and our individual health,” said Asheville City Council member Gwen Wisler, who’s volunteered with Strive Not to Drive for more than five years.
“Strive Not to Drive also helps us know our transportation options and better know our community,” she said. “Share a ride or get to know your neighborhood—and neighbors—by taking the bus, walking or by participating in the Strive Not to Drive Workplace Challenge. The fact that we’re also reducing traffic congestion and decreasing air pollution is an added benefit.”
Check out all the details at www.strivenottodrive.org, where you can nominate someone you know who “strives not to drive” for a community award, and also make your own pledge to use a transportation mode other than your car.
Here’s a look at this year’s local Strive Not to Drive events:
* May 16-23: Workplace Challenge
Recruit your colleagues and form a team to take the SNTD pledge to ride the bus, walk bike or carpool during the week and compete with workplaces of similar size. (Register for the challenge here: http://www.strivenottodrive.org/workplace-challenge/)
* May 16, 5-9 p.m.: Bike Corral at Downtown After Five
Celebrate Strive Not to Drive by biking to Downtown After Five and parking at the corral.
* May 19, 5-6:30 p.m.: Leadership Community Ride
Meet at the Dr. Wesley Grant Sr. Southside Center for a ride hosted by Asheville and Buncombe County officials to highlight local transportation infrastructure.
* May 20, 8:30-8:45 a.m.: Crosstown Rumbler
Four Asheville City Council members and one Buncombe County commissioner race each other by bike, bus and car to prove that multi-modal transportation options are viable alternatives to single-occupant cars in Asheville. Come to the start at the Wilma Sherrill Center or the finish at the steps of City Hall to cheer on your favorite travel mode.
* May 21, 5:30-7 p.m.: Ride of Silence
Meet at the Register of Deeds parking lot to participate in a bike ride to honor those who have been killed or injured while riding a bicycle.
* May 22, 7-9:30 a.m.: Strive Not to Drive Breakfast Stations
Stop by one of the two breakfast stations downtown and in the River Arts District set up for to multi-modal transportation users. Grab a breakfast item, coffee, refill your water and pick up fun goodies.
Can I catch a ride with someone to the breakfast?
Much-needed sidewalks were just added on North Louisiana!
agreed
Let’s start by adding more sidewalks