Madison Reporter

The Verona Common Council has adopted a resolution in support of the "Week Without Driving," which will take place from September 29 to October 5, 2025. The decision was made at the council's meeting on September 8.

The resolution highlights that approximately 30–40 percent of Dane County residents do not drive, and more than 13,000 households in the county lack access to a vehicle. The aim of Week Without Driving is to raise awareness among leaders and the public about how limited transportation options can impact people's ability to meet basic needs and participate in civic life.

"Week Without Driving is a national challenge to increase awareness and understanding among leaders and the public about how the lack of convenient, safe, and affordable transportation options can affect people's ability to meet basic needs and engage in civic life," according to the resolution.

The City of Verona states its commitment to promoting a transportation system that supports livability, safety, prosperity, environmental sustainability, and equity for all residents. The city also encourages development patterns that reduce reliance on motor vehicles while supporting walking, biking, and transit use.

"Transportation is an essential need that is fundamental to equitable access to employment, community, recreation, and essential services such as healthcare and food," reads another part of the resolution.

It notes that non-drivers include aging adults, youth, students, low-income individuals, people with disabilities, and those who choose not to drive. The U.S. Bureau of Transportation Statistics reported that in 2023 the average annual cost of owning and operating a car was $12,182—a figure that has increased steadily over two decades. In addition, data from both the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Dane County Climate Action Plan show that transportation accounts for about 29% of greenhouse gas emissions nationally and locally.

The resolution further emphasizes that walking, bicycling, rolling (using mobility devices), and public transportation contribute positively by easing congestion, benefiting health outcomes, fostering economic activity within communities, and reducing environmental impacts.

By encouraging participation in Week Without Driving—especially among decision-makers—the city hopes participants will experience firsthand some common barriers faced by non-drivers. This approach aims to help identify improvements needed for local transportation systems so they better serve all residents.

"NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the City of Verona recognizes September 29-October 5, 2025 as Week Without Driving," concludes the resolution. It calls on both officials and community members "to join in this special observance by taking the Week Without Driving Challenge and prioritizing non-driving options...in an effort to understand the effects of transportation barriers on non-drivers in our community."