Imagine your week with no car: Instead of sitting in traffic circling a parking lot in search of a spot, you’re reading or catching up on podcasts on the bus, or feeling the crunch of fresh fallen leaves on the sidewalks while walking to class.

The University of Tennessee, Knoxville’s Offices of Sustainability and Parking & Transportation are proudly participating in National Week Without Driving (WWD), Oct. 1-8.

WWD encourages participants to better understand the barriers faced by people who can’t or don’t drive. Nearly 35 percent of Tennessee residents don’t rely on personal vehicles for daily travel, and for many, driving isn’t possible because of age, disability, health, income, and other restrictions.

WWD also spotlights the alternative transportation resources that are bridging that gap and making it easier to get around without a personal car. For UT students, it’s a unique opportunity to skip the stress of hunting for a parking spot and enjoy alternative forms of transportation — walking, biking, busing, skating, scooters, and more.

How to join the challenge with us

There are many ways to join UT’s Week Without Driving and get entered for a chance to win prizes. Here are a few highlights:

• • Take the course: Take the WWD Canvas course during the first week of October by visiting the “Courses” tab and searching for “UTK Week Without Driving.” Those who complete the WWD module will earn three points toward Green Graduation; the first 50 people to take the course will also get UTK Parking & Transportation gear.

• • Play a round of bingo: Check off activities from your Week Without Driving using our virtual Bingo board (save the image here) and send us a DM to share what you did — participants will be entered for a chance to win a free VolShop gift. Not on social media? You can also visit Parking & Transporation at 2400 Sutherland Ave., or email the Parking & Transportation office with your name, address, and photos of you completing BINGO. All entries must be sent by Thursday, Oct. 8. View and save a sample entry. 
    
    We invite you to post about your week by tagging Sustainability and Parking & Transportation’s social media pages — @utksustainability and @parkingutk on Instagram — and using the hashtag #WeekWithoutDrivingUTK to tell us about your experience.

Find us at the Campus Bike Fair

Connect with local bicycle transportation and recreation resources, and enjoy games, interactive activities, and giveaways: Wednesday, Oct. 7, noon to 3 p.m. at 21st Mortgage Plaza (between the Student Union and Haslam College of Business). The fair will be followed by a community bike ride along Third Creek Greenway. Plus, going to the bike fair is one more activity you can cross off your bingo board! 

Use these resources to plan your trips

• • Biking: View a map of bike racks across campus and learn more about registering and maintaining your bike on campus.
    
    
  • Buses: Use the Tennessee app or TransLoc to view T Bus routes and track buses and next arrivals in real time. Take Knoxville Area Transit (KAT) buses for free when you show valid digital or physical VolCard. You can also plan trips and track KAT buses citywide on KAT’s official app, Transit.
    
    
    
  • Scooters and e-bikes: The City of Knoxville offers scooter and e-Bike options to get you around town quickly, using Lime and Bird. Find tips and FAQs on Visit Knoxville. 
    
    
    
  • Personal safety tips: The UT Police Department offers advice on personal safety for walking, biking, outdoor exercising, ride-sharing, and more. Be aware of your surroundings, obey traffic signals, and limit distractions such as texting and using headphones. Download the Safe at UT app on your phone so contacts from your smart phone can “walk” with you virtually.

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For more information on the National Week Without Driving, visit weekwithoutdriving.org.