What bubbles up in the beginning of almost every Bend City Council meeting is a heartfelt thanks, recognition or call to action.

This week there is scheduled to be a “Week Without Driving Proclamation” from Mayor Melanie Kebler.

It’s a national initiative that runs from Monday, Sept. 30, through Oct. 6.

“If you can drive or afford a car, you may not understand what it’s like to rely on walking, rolling, transit and asking for rides. But for nearly a third of people living in the United States — people with disabilities, young people, seniors and people who can’t afford cars or gas — this is our every day,” the initiative’s website says. “We created the Week Without Driving challenge so that those who have the option to drive can learn firsthand about the barriers and challenges that nondrivers face and work with nondrivers to create more accessible communities for all.”

There’s a big difference between living it for a week and it being a way of life, of course. One of the members of our editorial board has been living it for more than a week, awaiting a car repair. It’s only an inconvenience when you know it will end and can afford a car in the first place.

The thing heard repeatedly when people realized we were biking were variations of “I don’t feel safe on a bike.” Bend is not all that bike friendly. For many, even if biking is an option it will not turn into a habit.