A Week Without Driving? Try it, says Schuylkill Connects
KAYLEE LINDENMUTH / SHENANDOAH SENTINEL - The Gold Star Highway looking towards Shenandoah on Dec. 30, 2020.
SHENANDOAH – Let’s face it. Unless you both live and work in the heart of Shenandoah, we don’t live in a very easy place to get around without a car, and a local organization is trying to emphasize that and find ways to make it easier.
This is through a “Week Without Driving,” starting Sept. 29 through Oct. 5.
“Living, working and learning in a rural county comes with its transportation obstacles,” Mandy Fitzpatrick, Executive Director, Schuylkill Connects said. “While we cannot solve them all them, we can do our best to educate our communities on the resources available to them and involve them in efforts to improve the walk, bike, and bus infrastructure in Schuylkill County.”
“Week Without Driving highlights how nondrivers get about our county and opportunities to improve active transportation for them and those looking to park the car,” she said.
It’s part of a growing trend to encourage area residents and leaders to “explore a new perspective on mobility.”
County leaders, employees, employers, and adult residents are invited to participate in a scavenger hunt using an app and completing missions including STS vans, buses, or alternatives if the STS bus doesn’t visit your community (like Ringtown, Nuremberg, Sheppton, Pine Grove, Tremont, Delano, Valley View, and more), walking or biking, sharing rides, and visiting online resources.
Participants can win a bicycle, gift cards, or more.
There’ll also be a survey to all 67 municipalities in the county to gather information about current active transportation infrastructure, like bus routes, bike racks, parks, playgrounds, and trails.
“Connects has been meeting with STS staff to engage the public transportation in the week and Scavenger Hunt event. We look forward to encouraging participants to utilize their services and/or learn more about what is available to them, their families, neighbors, and coworkers,” Fitzpatrick said.
To learn more, visit www.schuylkillconnects.com/events/week-without-driving.
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