By Amanda Alaniz

RIO GRANDE VALLEY, TEXAS – SEPT. 29, 2025 – At UTRGV, the Week Without Driving isn’t just a challenge—it’s a spotlight on a daily reality for nearly one-third of Americans who face mobility barriers.

Whether it’s due to a disability, the high cost of owning a car, or unreliable public transit, millions are left navigating a world that is more car-centric, according to America Walks.

The organization created the “Week Without Driving” event to give drivers the opportunity to learn firsthand about the barriers and challenges nondrivers face. Through the event, they can work together to create more accessible communities for all.

And for the first time this year, UTRGV is taking part in this national campaign to help create awareness. It began Saturday, Sept. 27 and ends Saturday, Oct. 4. 

The event is being spearheaded by Dr. Nazanin Heydarian, assistant professor in the UTRGV School of Social Work, who started preparing for the event back in July.

Heydarian, who is legally blind herself and has never driven, said she understands the struggles of living in a car-centric environment and having limited options for mobility.

“When I first moved down here (to the Valley), I was exploring my options, and I live in a suburban area. There’s not a whole lot within walking distance,” she said.

She explored her options, speaking to city transportation in McAllen, but there wasn’t much available for her location. She said she turned to advocacy and started getting more involved so that she could help shape the landscape.

“In October, my husband and I were talking, and we decided to buy a bike,” she said. “I tested the routes out and slowly got more confident, adjusting the routes when necessary. We’ve been doing that, and I’d say 90 percent of the time we’re riding bikes to get to work.”

During the summer, she learned about the “Week Without Driving” national campaign from America Walks and thought it would benefit her community and help people understand the hardships some people face daily.

While the School of Social Work is leading the event, they are working in collaboration with the UTRGV Department of Psychological Sciences and the School of Rehabilitation Counseling, as well as the City of Edinburg, City of McAllen, Valley Metro, Metro McAllen and Unidos Contra La Diabetes.

Throughout the week, there will be presentations from local businesses and leadership speaking about transportation options and how to share the road with bicyclists.

Heydarian said people may be shocked to see how much faster it is to roll out of your home on a bicycle than to get into a vehicle and search for parking.

She is looking forward to people engaging in the process and enjoy riding bikes around the city, rather than just relying on their vehicle.

“It encourages a bunch of people who usually drive, to step out of their comfort zone, which is a little bit of a different experience from somebody who's like lived as a non-driver,” she said. “I hope people take away awareness and understanding. Also, experience the joy of non-driving.”

She said it may be for a week, but she hopes people will gain a little more confidence in using a bike more and work to make changes in their communities.

To learn more about “Week Without Driving,” visit https://ucdrgv.org/es/a-week-without-driving/ and get a list of the scheduled events throughout the week.