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C ouncilmember Charles Alle n 2
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A CEREMONIAL RESOLUTION 5
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IN THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA 9
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To declare September 30 to October 6, 2024, as Week Without Driving in the District of Columbia. 14
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WHEREAS, access to mobility is a fundamental part of health and community connection, 16
allowing residents of the District of Columbia to reach education and employment opportunities, 17
medical services, shopping, recreation, and visit friends and family; 18
WHEREAS, as the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates the cost of owning a car is 19
approximately 72 cents per mile, with average household spending on transportation reaching 20
$10,961 a year, many people cannot afford the cost of a car, and nearly a third of the people 21
residing in the United States do not have a driver's license, either because of their age or a condition 22
that does not allow them to drive; 23
WHEREAS, nearly 36% of District residents do not drive because of age, disability, 24
income, or preference; 25
WHEREAS, transportation represents the largest source of greenhouse gas emissions in 26
the United States, and in order to meet the District’s greenhouse gas emission reduction goals, we 27
must reduce emissions in our transportation sector; 28
WHEREAS, in addition to greenhouse gas emissions, cars also create tire dust that can 29
enter watersheds, have necessitated freeway expansions that have been detrimental to 30
neighborhoods historically home to communities of color, and require impervious surfaces for 31 2
parking, with an estimated 3.4 parking spaces for every car in the United States - all of which have 32
contributed to transportation being an important environmental justice concern; and 33
WHEREAS, going a week without driving is great way to understand how we can improve 34
our current transportation system to better meet the needs of District residents and improve and 35
enhance transportation options such as public transit, biking, and walking pathways as key 36
strategies in our decarbonization efforts. 37
RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, that this 38
resolution may be cited as the “Week Without Driving Recognition Resolution of 2024”. 39
Sec. 2. The Council of the District of Columbia declares September 30 to October 6, 2024, 40
as Week Without Driving in the District of Columbia . 41
Sec. 3. This resolution shall take effect immediately. 42