Just Six Days Left to Join Zipcar's 'Low-Car Diet' Challenge

CAMBRIDGE, Mass., Sept. 8 /PRNewswire/ -- Beginning September 14, 2010, participants in Zipcar cities across the United States and Canada are taking on the world's largest car-sharing services' third annual Low-Car Diet.  In six days, participants will pledge to personally give up their vehicles for 30 days and find other ways to meet their transportation needs.

Participants nationwide will be given a Zipcar membership and other incentives from national partners including popchips™, KIND Healthy Snacks, Honest Tea®, Stretch Island® Fruit Co. to make their experience convenient, fun and rewarding. To reap the economic and environmental benefits in your city, join Zipcar's Low-Car Diet today by signing up at www.zipcar.com/lowcardiet.

The Low-Car Diet encourages participants to take on a smarter lifestyle and consider alternative transportation options rather than using their personally owned vehicle.  Consider the following:

• If you live in Philadelphia, instead of driving your car to the next Phillies game, take SEPTA.

• Take your bike when shopping on Chicago's Magnificent Mile; you'll save money on parking and gas, while getting a good work-out.

• The Pittsburgh Steelers are back after a long summer break, consider the environment and carpool with friends to the next game.

• The Toronto International Film Festival is coming – go car-free and plan your route with the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC).

Last year's 252 Low-Car Diet participants nationwide demonstrated that a minimal car regimen was easier than cutting carbs; 61 percent of the 2009 participants said they planned to go "car-free" after the 30-day challenge.  Additionally, participants increased their miles biked by 132 percent, decreased their miles driven by 66 percent and lost a total of 413 pounds.

"With the unemployment rate holding at 9.6 percent and the average U.S. household spending nearly 19 percent of their income on transportation, smart consumers are looking for alternatives to owning a car," said Scott Griffith, Zipcar Chairman and CEO. "This year's Low-Car Diet asks drivers to experience Zipcar and the concept of car sharing for what it really is – a way of life – and we hope participants realize what our 400,000 members already have: you can have all the freedom and benefits of car ownership without the expense or headaches of owning a car."

This year, Zipcar is hosting kickoff events and end-of challenge celebrations in Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, New York, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Portland, San Francisco, Seattle, Toronto, Vancouver and Washington D.C. Those who rise to the challenge will share their car-free experiences using Twitter and other social media channels.  Individuals who are interested in learning more and participating in this year's Low-Car Diet in the United States or Canada, should visit http://zipcar.com/lowcardiet to fill out an entry form.  

About Zipcar

Zipcar operates in urban areas and college campuses throughout the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom. Zipcar offers more than 30 makes and models of self-service vehicles by the hour or day to residents and businesses looking for an alternative to the high costs and hassles of owning a car.

Zipcar and the Zipcar logo are trademarks of Zipcar, Inc. Other company and product names may be trademarks of their respective owners.

SOURCE Zipcar