ALTWHEELS FESTIVAL MOVES TO BOSTON CITY HALL PLAZA TO SHOWCASE TRANSPORTATION ALTERNATIVES
<http://www.altwheels.org/> For Immediate Release Contacts: Event Founder: Alison Sander 617-868-1582 info@altwheels.org Event Press: Janice Halpern 508-698-6810 classic.pr@verizon.net <file:///C:\Local%20Settings\Temporary%20Internet%20Files\OLKB8\classic.pr@v erizon.net> ALTWHEELS FESTIVAL MOVES TO BOSTON CITY HALL PLAZA TO SHOWCASE TRANSPORTATION ALTERNATIVES * One-stop shopping for solutions to high gas prices, oil dependence and climate change * New Boston City Hall Plaza location - FREE * Circling Boston with a week of clean-transportation info & events Boston, MA - July 26, 2006 - Record high gas prices. Dependence on foreign oil. Climate change. What's the answer? When it comes to transportation, AltWheels answers! At the invitation of Boston Mayor Thomas M. Menino, Boston will host the 4th annual AltWheels Alternative Transportation Festival, the Northeast's largest alternative-transportation showcase, on Friday and Saturday, September 22 and 23 on Boston City Hall Plaza. AltWheels presents the wide variety of transportation alternatives that highlight ways to beat high gasoline prices, reduce greenhouse-gas emissions, and restore energy independence to this country. "We're thrilled the City of Boston and Mayor Menino invited AltWheels to City Hall Plaza," said Alison Sander, founder of AltWheels. "The good news is that many inventors, communities and companies are creating real-world alternative-transportation solutions that are available now, and consumers are responding. The carrot of a cleaner environment and the stick of high-cost foreign oil are driving more companies and consumers to look for cleaner, healthier technologies. Our move to City Hall Plaza gives many more people a chance to see these technologies and the alternatives that can create a healthier future for all of us. We invite everyone to come make history and explore the Energy Freedom TrailTM at AltWheels!" The 2006 Festival will conclude with a Lawn Show at its original home in Brookline, at the Larz Anderson Auto Museum, on Sunday, September 24. AltWheels Festival and Lawn Show Alternatives to the gasoline-fueled car have been around since the 1800s. Today, cars can get 60-plus miles per gallon and zero-emission vehicles exist. AltWheels features more than 70 vehicles beating the high cost and pollution associated with traditional gas- and diesel-powered vehicles. Passenger vehicles on display will include the latest hybrid models, solar-powered and electric cars, plug-in hybrids that can fueled at home through a plug, fuel-cell/hydrogen million dollar prototype vehicles, vehicles that run on compressed natural gas -- including CNG home-refueling options -- cars that run on used vegetable oil, and biodiesel and ethanol options. Non-auto transportation options include rides on the Segway HTT scooter, commuter bikes, electric scooters, bike-valet parking, and bike rides from the site. AltWheels will also display historical vehicles, including a 1920s Stanley Steamer and a 1914 electric vehicle. "This year, we are proud to bring the first ethanol vehicles and distribution to Massachusetts," Sander added. In addition to passenger vehicles, AltWheels will showcase alternative-fuel buses, trucks and public transit as well as a full display of bike and walking trails and other fitness options. Several of the alternative-fuel vehicles will be offered at discount prices to Festival participants. The Festival and Lawn Show are not just for adults. Vehicle demonstrations will be coupled with fun, games, food, entertainment and activities for the whole family. AltWheels will also circle Boston with more than a week's worth of events. A highlight of this year's Festival will be a chance to explore the green Energy Freedom Trail,T which will connect to Boston's historic Freedom TrailT and offer resources and practical ideas for drivers, homeowners, teachers, families, politicians, and citizens. AltWheels Admission Admission to the Festival is free on Friday and Saturday, September 22 and 23 on Boston City Hall Plaza, and $7 per person on Sunday, September 24 at the Larz Anderson Auto Museum in Brookline. Admission at the Festival's Auto Museum location includes admission to the Museum itself, and is reduced for those arriving by cleaner-transportation options. AltWheels Symposium The AltWheels Festival kicks off Saturday and Sunday, September 16 and 17 with the AltWheels Symposium at the Boston Museum of Science. The Symposium will provide more in-depth information on the varieties of technologies that will be on display at City Hall Plaza and the Larz Anderson Auto Museum the following weekend. Panel discussions with industry experts will cover such topics as promoting the use of fuel-efficient and renewable-fuel vehicles for personal, government, and business use; initiatives to encourage ride sharing and increased use of mass transit; and innovations that all play an important role in creating a more sustainable transportation future. AltWheels Fleet Day AltWheels will host an invitation-only Fleet Day on Monday, September 25 at the Larz Anderson Auto Museum, bringing industry and municipal fleet directors together to focus on the challenges and benefits of incorporating alternative fuels into commercial and government fleets. Fleet Day will offer case studies on successful fleet conversions while providing information resources to assist fleet managers in reducing their fuel costs and pollutant emissions. AltWheels Sponsors The more than thirty sponsors of AltWheels include Ford Motor Co., WBZ NewsRadio 1030, General Motors, Staples, Toyota, Volkswagen, American Honda, Clean Energy, KeySpan Energy, Massport, AVSG, Clair Toyota, Clean Cabs for Boston, Dennis K. Burke, Greasecar Vegetable Fuel Systems, Honda Village, Massachusetts Clean Cities Coalition, Mathworks, WorldEnergy, Zipcar, Azure Dynamics, Bank of America, Cummins, Emerging Vehicles, Harvard Pilgrim Health Care, National Association of Fleet Administrators, Society of Automotive Engineers, and Women's Transportation Seminar, Westborough Toyota and Bell Power Systems. More than 70 co-hosts and 150 volunteers help make AltWheels happen. Sponsorship and exhibit opportunities are available. For more information please email classic.pr@verizon.net, info@altwheels.org, visit www.altwheels.org <http://www.altwheels.org/> , or call 508-698-6810. AltWheels Schedule of Events * AltWheels Speakers Symposium, Boston Museum of Science, Cahners Theatre: o Saturday, Sept. 16, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Technology, Fuel and Infrastructure o Sunday, Sept. 17, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Transportation Choices and Smart Design o No extra charge with paid Museum admission. * Alternative-Transportation Caravan: Thursday, Sept. 21, departing from the Larz Anderson Auto Museum in Brookline at 5:30 p.m. and arriving at MIT in Cambridge at 6:00 p.m. * AltWheels Festival: Boston City Hall Plaza, Friday, Sept. 22, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Saturday, Sept. 24, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Larz Anderson Auto Museum, Sunday, Sept. 24, 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. * Fleet Day: Larz Anderson Auto Museum, Monday, Sept. 25, 8:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. ### PHOTOS AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST AND ON THE WWW.ALTWHEELS.ORG <http://www.altwheels.org/> WEBSITE.