A Lexington coalition advocating for more walking, cycling, and bus riding and less car driving is asking for a change of pace this week. It’s being labeled “A Week Without Driving”. First time in Lexington, but it has been done in other cities. The aim is to help car drivers better understand those who don’t drive by personal choice, ability, income limits, or age. Alice Hilton with the Coalition said electric bikes can help close the gap for making biking more available to more people. “But a lot of times it’s going to be systemic. You know it would be helpful if buses came more frequently. If there were bus stops closer to where people live. If there were safe shared use paths that connected more of the city,” said Hilton. Hilton noted changes in road design can help to reduce speed and thus lessen the chance for pedestrian injuries or fatalities. And she added less driving would mean fewer emissions and help in dealing with climate change. And Hilton said increasing the number of people out of cars actually can mean increased pedestrian safety. “Statistically I think it’s shown time and time again that the more people you have using streets in different ways..like the more pedestrians you have, the more bicycles you have, the safer streets are just because drivers are kind of forced to pay more attention and it’s kind of a safety in numbers thing,” said Hilton. Hilton said the benefits of walking, cycling, or riding a bus also mean less car emissions, increased physical and mental health, and just being around more people. As to how to judge success this week, Hilton said she’s already seen that after riding a bus with someone who took a trip on a public bus for the first time. Here’s the interview with Alice Hilton: 4ALICEHILTON.mp3 Listen • 8:15 ** WEKU is working hard to be a leading source for public service, and fact-based journalism. Monthly supporters are the top funding source for this growing nonprofit news organization. Please join others in your community who support WEKU by making your donation. The post Transportation advocates in Lexington pushing for the oldest form of transportation appeared first on The Lexington Times.