News

Strive Not to Drive Week encourages other ways to travel

By Lightning Reports, Published: April 24, 2025

During Strive Not to Drive Week May 16-24. residents and visitors can take part in more than 15 events aimed at promoting bicycling, walking, riding the bus or carpooling.

Events are hosted by a variety of partners, including AARP, Asheville Bike Polo, Asheville on Bikes, Apple Country Public Transit, Bike Walk HVL, the Blue Ridge Bicycle Club, the city of Asheville, Haywood Public Transit, and Mountain Mobility, coordinated by the Land of Sky Transportation Demand Management Program. The purpose of the week is to encourage people in Western North Carolina to reconsider how they get around the region.

“Strive Not to Drive is all about challenging yourself to explore your community in more sustainable ways,” said Sandy Broadwill, Transportation Demand Manager at the Land of Sky Regional Council. “More travel options increase the resiliency of our transportation network. Whether you’re a seasoned bike commuter or bus rider, or you’re just getting into the swing of it, there’s an activity for everyone.”

This year, events will take place in Buncombe, Haywood and Henderson counties. Activities range from social bike rides to free transit days, hikes, bike polo, learn-to-ride-the-bus events and events that examine strategies to improve pedestrian safety (called walk audits).  Anyone is welcome to participate in these events, regardless of which county you live in or whether you’re just visiting the region. In Henderson County:

• Apple Country Public Transit is free to ride all the time, not just during Strive Not to Drive! Learn more about how to ride the bus or load your bike on the bus at the Hendersonville Farmer’s Market on Saturday, May 17 from 8am-1pm.
• Walk Audit Training. At the Farmer’s Market at the Historic Railroad Depot, there will be two opportunities to participate in a walk audit training, where participants can learn how to evaluate pedestrian facilities and identify potential improvements. Each training session will last approximately 30 minutes and will take place at 9:30-11:30 a.m. Participants will receive a farmer’s market token as a thank you.
• Downtown Dollars Promotion. Every day of Strive Not to Drive Week, roll up on a bike, bus, or walk to any participating downtown business in Hendersonville for a chance to win Downtown Dollars. Pick up a passport at the Hendersonville Visitor Center and collect stamps at each local business visited during Strive Not to Drive for a raffle entry! Studies show that people who walk or bike as a regular part of their commute spend more money at local businesses than those who drive. More people biking and walking generates greater economic impact and can help our business community recover from Helene.
• Hendo Social Spin. Bike Walk HVL will host a social bike ride to kick off the Henderson County events on Friday, May 16 at 6 p.m. The family-friendly bike ride will start and end at Trailside Brewing and have a post-ride social.
• Ride of Silence. Hendersonville will also host its own International Ride of Silence to honor those injured or killed in roadway collisions. The ride will take place at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, May 21, starting and ending at the Hendersonville Visitor Center.
• Hiking Henderson County. The final event in Hendersonville will be an inclusive stroll with an expert birder in attendance to help explore wildlife along the way. The hike begins at 9 a.m. at Jackson Park.