Fiscal Note
No City appropriation required.
Title
Recognizing October 1 - 8, 2026 as Week Without Driving
Body
WHEREAS, Week Without Driving is a national challenge to increase awareness and understanding of non-drivers and the barriers they face in our communities, which the City of Madison has joined other Dane County communities, organizations, local champions, and policymaking bodies in recognizing annually since 2024; and,
WHEREAS, access to mobility is fundamental to thriving health, safety, economic opportunity, and community connection, enabling residents of Madison to reach essential needs including education, employment, medical care, food, recreation, faith communities, and social networks; and,
WHEREAS, an estimated 30 percent of Wisconsinites and 30-40 percent of Dane County residents of all ages are non-drivers, including aging adults, youth, students, low-income individuals, people with physical, mental or intellectual/developmental disabilities, and those who choose not to drive; and,
WHEREAS, transportation is the second-largest household expense for most families and the American Automobile Association estimates that the average cost of owning and operating a vehicle exceeds $12,000 per year, placing a particular financial strain on low- and moderate-income households; and,
WHEREAS, transportation costs are directly tied to housing and land use decisions, and communities that lack affordable housing near jobs, schools, healthcare, and essential services often require residents to travel farther and rely more heavily on costly car ownership; and,
WHEREAS, nearly one-third of people in the United States do not have a driver’s license due to age, disability, income, immigration status, health conditions, or other barriers, and many others face temporary or permanent circumstances that prevent them from driving; and,
WHEREAS, an estimated 20,653 households in Dane County do not have access to a vehicle; and,
WHEREAS, not all neighborhoods ...
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