Stanford Transportation’s 2025 Car-Free Challenge Series
For our Car-Free Commute Challenge series, we invited the Stanford community to ditch their cars for one day, a week, a month, or longer in 2025. The response was incredible – more than 640 commuters shared stories about walking, riding public transportation, vanpooling, and biking to work. We also heard tips from folks who are loving the completely car-free lifestyle. Throughout the year, we featured their inspirational stories.
Marg Drivers Super Fan
‘Tis the season to thank your public transit driver! Just ask Katryna Dillard, the senior program manager for Stanford’s eWEAR initiative and a year-round Marguerite Shuttle driver superfan.
“My favorite part of my commute is the friendships I’ve made with the Marg drivers,” she said. Want to thank your transit driver this season? All it takes is a handwritten note, a homemade treat, or a kind word.
Go Green
After Parkinson’s made driving and biking difficult, Keith Krehbiel, emeritus professor at the Stanford Graduate School of Business, began commuting to campus on a chartreuse trike.
After reading our story, the Catrike brand posted on its social media asking followers to help us name Keith’s new Villager eCAT. In the end, Stanford PhD candidate Kasey Rhee picked the winning name: Amendment Rider.
Vanpool Valentines
Despite a three-hour+, 146-mile round-trip daily super commute from Manteca, this LBRE group is still smiling, thanks in large part to Stanford’s subsidized vanpool benefit. “Saving money on gas, not having to fight traffic, and being able to relax or sleep – those are all positives,” said Ryan Snethen, an HVAC mechanic.
Watch the full interviews of the 2025 Car-Free Commute Challenge winners and hear about their inspiring journeys.
This season, we’re grateful for the many sustainable transportation benefits that Stanford University offers, including free transit passes, the Marguerite shuttle, bike repair stations, bike education resources, and more. Below, readers share helpful tips to help with your sustainable commute.
Advanced Lecturer
Invest in a helmet and bike lights.
“I commute by bike rain or shine, every day. I suggest getting rain gear and fenders for your bike, and allowing extra time on rainy days. Have good head and rear lights. Never assume that car drivers will see you, or that they will yield to you when they do see you. (Especially Uber drivers—remember: they're often looking at various screens; a map, a text from their customer; they're searching for addresses; they're not looking for bicyclists.)."
Fun fact: Thomas owns a flip phone, has never ridden in an Uber/Lyft, and has no plans to!
Administrative Associate
If at first you don’t succeed on public transit, try, try again!
"My first experience going car-free wasn't great because I had to make multiple bus and train transfers (four at one point) to get to Stanford, which took a long time. But after a couple of months of trial and error, I figured out the most direct route and now use my free VTA SmartPass to take the 101 Express Bus near my house directly to the Stanford Research Park. It saves me from being stuck in traffic and spending money on gas. I can now nap peacefully on my way to and from work.”
Clinical Research Coordinator with Ian
Romanticize your life.
“I recommend romanticizing your life. I think about how excited my 4-year-old son, Ian, gets whenever he has the opportunity to ride a train. His excitement reminds me that it’s a privilege to commute to work from San Jose on Caltrain with my free GoPass. Calculating the gas, tires, and general wear and tear on your car and determining how that compares monetarily to other car-free options makes it hard ever to go back.”
Fun fact: Abigail loves to use her GoPass on weekends "for fun." She and Ian ride to Mountain View for 'playdates'...coffee for her; the playground for him.
HR Service Center Manager
Book a free commute consultation.
"For advice, consider signing up for a 15-minute one-on-one commute consultation with Transportation’s Sustainable Mobility team to help identify your car-free options for getting to work. They’re a wealth of knowledge.”
Assistant Director for Events
Consolidate your car errands and keep empty tote bags on hand.
“I consolidate all my car errands so that I drive only once or twice a week and also optimize my route, rather than making daily trips all over the Bay Area. I also always carry empty tote bags. One can carry more than they think on foot + public transportation.”
Fun fact: Béline grew up in Europe, walking, riding the train/subway, and didn't learn how to drive until she was 27.
Congratulations to our five World Car Free Day winners who celebrated September 22 by biking to work or riding public transportation. Read their stories below.
Midori Did a Commute Triathlon
“In what resembled a commute triathlon (but much easier!), I walked to the Santa Clara Caltrain station from my house, rode the train to Palo Alto using my free Stanford-issued GoPass, took the Marguerite Line P to the Oval, and then walked to my office. I did the reverse on my trip home.” – Midori Yoshimura, Associate Director, Marketing, Knight-Hennessy Scholars
Rosa Broke Out Her Vintage Wheels
“I rode my 1970s Univega road bike (a gift from my grandparents when I was big enough to ride it) to the Mountain View Caltrain station, took Caltrain to work, then rode to my office. I also walked to get groceries a few blocks away from home. I currently only use my car once a week.” – Rosa, Research Assistant, Adult Neurology
Kevin Took in the Sights, including 166 Canary Island Palms
“I walked to the San Francisco Caltrain station, rode to Palo Alto, then walked down Palm Drive. Such a lovely morning with all the sights. The squirrels are always a delight, though my favorite things to spot are the Basket stinkhorn mushrooms that grow along Palm Drive.” – Kevin Lo, Advisor, Stanford Law School
Silver Lining of a Broken Down Vehicle
“I’ve embraced a car-free routine for my daily commute to the office, and I absolutely love it. This shift began out of necessity when one of our household cars broke down, but it has turned into an enjoyable experience for both my husband and me. Each morning, he drops me off at the Caltrain station, and I enjoy the chance to relax with a podcast or audiobook during my commute. It’s such a nice change from being stuck in traffic. By the time I arrive at the office, I feel refreshed and ready to start the day—so different from when I used to drive, arriving mentally drained from battling rush-hour congestion. Even when our second car is fixed, we plan to keep this commuting style since it’s helped us save on gas and parking.” – Rachel Stringari, Student Affairs Coordinator
Almost Car-Free!
“I biked and took Caltrain from my home in the Mission in SF to 560 Fremont on the Stanford campus. I’m not completely car-free, but I’m most of the way there. I only use my car two to three times a week to access locations well outside of biking range. Other than that, I walk, bike, or take public transit. Driving is stressful, while biking is enjoyable. You get good exercise and have time to think about whatever you want, instead of focusing on the endless Bay Area traffic." – Mike Kennedy, Project Manager
Growing up in the Karakoram Mountains, far north of Pakistan, Aziz Khan dreamed of owning a bicycle. After moving to the U.S. in 2019, Aziz recalls being told that living without a car in the Bay Area was impossible. “I said, ‘Let me see how it goes,’” he recalled. “Five years later, I proved that not only is going car-free possible, it's also a more sustainable and rewarding lifestyle.” Learn more about Aziz's Car-Free Commute and how he has traveled almost 5,500 miles by bike.
Congratulations to our August Commute Challenge winner, Alexa Tan. Embracing a car-free lifestyle has been a rewarding shift for Alexa. She uses her free Stanford-issued Caltrain GoPass to commute from Burlingame to the Stanford campus, then catches the Marguerite shuttle at the Palo Alto Transit Center for a seamless last-mile connection to her office in the GSB. Alexa, who loves her efficient and environmentally friendly commute, shares five pro tips.
Going Car-Free Might Be Easier Than You Think
Before joining Stanford, Jeff Olschwang biked 20 miles each way from his home in Redondo Beach to his LA office, including a 10-mile stretch along the Marvin Braude Bike Trail, also known as “The Strand.” This path gave him a front-row seat to watch the ocean and surfers, and on the nightly return home, airplanes put on a UFO-like light show as they landed and took off from LAX. “It was always amazing to see the world and breathe fresh air instead of sitting in a car,” Jeff said.
Upon joining the Transportation team as director of communications, Jeff missed the exercise, people watching, and financial savings. He set his sights on living in a San Francisco neighborhood close to public transit. Now, he’s enjoying the sustainable transportation options available to Stanford employees. Jeff walks or bikes a mile from his home near the Embarcadero to the Caltrain station, then catches an express or limited train to SRWC or Palo Alto. From there, he rides the Marguerite Shuttle, bikes, or walks (1.4 miles to SRWC or 1.9 miles to his office on the Stanford campus).
“I’m loving a car-free lifestyle once again. The robust public transit system makes navigating the Bay Area convenient and easy. And the best part is that my commute is free,” said Jeff, who estimates that ditching his car saves him $10,000+ annually in vehicle expenses.
Congratulations to our July Super Commute Challenge winners, Noella Dixon, Viviana Martinez, Angela Leija, and Mike Jaime. They’ve found a way to get creative to survive long-distance commuting. Discover how these Central Valley Super Commuters Took the Car-Free Challenge.
Congratulations to our June Commute Challenge winners, Liesl Strand and Yudi Bedi. By biking and taking public transportation, Liesl and Yudi alleviate the cost and stress of driving alone in rush-hour traffic. Best of all, they don’t have to pay for parking!
Liesl, a PhD candidate in the Department of Developmental Biology, has been biking to Stanford five days a week for almost six years. Averaging four miles per day round-trip, Liesl estimates that equals 5,750 miles, or roughly the distance to bike from Stanford to New York City and ⅔ of the way back.
“I bike to the molecular biology lab every day,” said Liesl. “I love it! I get a nice bit of fresh air in the morning, and it’s a much nicer way to start the day without having to worry about where to park.”
So what does she do when it rains? “Yeah, I’m from Seattle,” Liesl laughed. Enough said.
Yudi, a third-year postdoctoral scholar in the Stanford Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, loves biking because it’s “great for my cardiovascular health, especially on busy days when I can’t get a lot of movement in.” He added that the biggest bonus has been “avoiding the whole parking situation.”
Yudi mainly commutes by bike, but uses his free Stanford-issued VTA SmartPass, available to eligible employees and postdocs at no cost, on days when he needs to carry more items. His free Stanford-issued Caltrain GoPass (available to eligible employees, postdocs, and graduate students) is a great option when visiting friends who live in areas VTA doesn’t service.
From double-locks to extra-strength deodorant, our May Commute Challenge Winners offer pro tips to prepare you for Bike to Work Day on May 15 (and beyond). Congratulations to Katherine Li, M. Eugenia Smith, and Ayla Pamukcu. Read 4 Tips to Help You Prep for Bike to Work Day to learn their must-know tips.
After his Parkinson’s disease diagnosis, Keith Krehbiel, emeritus professor at the Stanford Graduate School of Business, was persuaded to quit driving five years ago. He began biking the mile-and-a-half distance from his home to campus, where he still conducts research most days. Before long, problems with his balance made biking difficult, including a fall that resulted in a broken rib.
Keith started walking to campus instead. When walking became increasingly difficult, his wife, Amy, drove him. Missing his autonomy, Keith realized he needed to find a new solution to commute and get around campus.
The solution came in the form of a recumbent tricycle—a three-wheel electric bike with a laid-back seat designed for adults. Read Keith Krehbiel's full story to discover his journey.
Senior Program Manager
Katryna Dillard has been commuting from San Carlos for the past four years using her free Stanford-issued Caltrain GoPass. From the Palo Alto Transit Center, she takes the Marguerite Line X to her office in the Chemical Engineering Department, where she works as a senior program manager for Stanford’s eWEAR initiative. When Katryna contacted our team and said, “My favorite part of my commute is the friendships I’ve made with the Marguerite drivers,” we figured she casually knew a driver or two. Read Katryna Dillard's full story to learn more about her journey.
Richard has been living a car-lite lifestyle for several years. He commutes via bike and Caltrain from the Panhandle in San Francisco, using his free Stanford-issued Caltrain GoPass. He dresses for the weather, placing all electronics in a waterproof bag, ensuring his work-issued laptop stays dry. At home, unless he’s traveling outside the Bay Area, Richard always leaves his car in the garage. To run errands—groceries, dentist, doctor, essentials, concerts, sporting events, dinner out—he walks, bikes, or uses public transportation. He plans for inclement weather and looks for breaks in the weather to run errands when possible. If not, he carries an umbrella.
Richard recently enjoyed a car-free weekend city break, taking Caltrain to the SAP Center for a San Jose Sharks hockey game while staying at a hotel near the stadium. Everything he needed was within walking distance. Another favorite car-free trip is walking from his home to Sausalito via the Golden Gate Bridge, and taking the ferry home. “It’s a long walk, but it reminds me of the beauty I’m lucky to be surrounded by,” said Richard, adding it’s a great way to connect with his wife without life’s day-to-day distractions.
Doug Radtke, Facilities Engineer
– The Rookie
Normally, Doug drives from Mountain View to the Stanford campus, and his free Stanford-issued VTA Smart Pass was collecting cobwebs. He figured why not mix it up and take public transit for the first time? He hopped on the 22 VTA bus and the XL-AM Marguerite Shuttle.
“It took about 45 minutes and was relatively painless–maybe 20-30 minutes longer than driving,” said Doug. Instead of fighting traffic, he could “kick back and nerd out” on his investment/finance podcasts. He would make it a regular habit except he has young children, including a newborn, and must be available at a moment’s notice. Don’t forget about our Emergency Ride Home Program, Doug.
Lorena Jasso, Faculty Affairs Administrator
– The Serendipitous Commuter
Taking the car-free commute challenge for a week came serendipitously for Lorena. She was car-less for a month while waiting to purchase a new vehicle. “I like to try new things so I got my free Stanford-issued Go Pass and decided to try taking Caltrain for a week.” Figuring out the logistics was a breeze, thanks to Caltrain’s plan your trip feature which helped her find routes and schedules. And Lorena cut her commute time from her San Jose home to her Center for Academic Medicine office in half! Lorena liked saving money on gas and helping the environment. “It was fantastic – much better than sitting in traffic. If you haven’t tried it yet, it’s actually great and really easy!” Lorena is excited to commute on Caltrain again in the spring.
Khoi Huynh, Facilities Specialist
– The Lifelong Car-Free Commuter
Khoi has been taking public transit to work since he started at Stanford in 1994! Back then he couldn’t afford a car but in the years since Khoi has prioritized living in a good neighborhood near public transit rather than living in a larger home or one with a big yard. As a result, the commute on the new electric Caltrain from his home in Redwood City to the Stanford campus is just six minutes, so short he doesn’t have time to read or listen to music. Khoi loves walking to campus from the Palo Alto Transit Center, especially through the Arboretum, where he enjoys the changing seasons, including spring when the grass turns electric green. Khoi stashes a bike in his office for errands and campus meetings. There’s always Zipcar, too, with vehicles around campus and no initiation fee for Stanford members.
