Philadelphia Residents to Quit Cars for One Month and Jump Start a Low-Car Diet

-Photo Opportunity / Live Interviews-

PHILADELPHIA, July 9 -- Zipcar, the world's largest car sharing service, is giving Philadelphia residents the opportunity to test drive a low-car and less-expensive lifestyle as part of its second annual Low-Car Diet.

In the midst of a challenging economy, rising gas prices and a nation-wide focus on cutting costs, the program gives participants the opportunity to experience the economic, environmental and health benefits of a car-free lifestyle. The Low-Car Diet will help participants realize that living without a car may be easier than they think. It will also provide a means to keep more of their paycheck while becoming more active and improving their health.

In Philadelphia, the Low-Car Diet will begin with a kick-off event on July 15th. Event details include:

  When:       July 15th, at 10 a.m. EDT; event will last approximately 45
              minutes

  Where:      Thomas Paine Plaza at the Municipal Services Building
              (1401 JFK Boulevard, Philadelphia PA 19102)

  Who:        Philadelphia residents, including UC Green Executive Director,
              Sue Pringle, will attend and participate in the Low-Car Diet

  Speakers:   Alex Doty, Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia,
               Executive Director
              Joseph Minott, Clean Air Council, Executive Director
              Jeremy Nelson, Zipcar Philadelphia General Manager

  Key Visual: Philadelphia residents dropping their keys into a lock box,
              one by one, as they pledge to ditch their car for a month.

  Interviews: Interviews with participants are available either in advance,
              on-site or throughout the month-long program. To schedule an
              interview, please contact Lesley Neadel, (917) 595-3034 or
              lneadel@cooperkatz.com.

              *Note - b-roll footage is available at
              http://zipcar.mediaroom.com/index.php?s=23

  Local
  Partners:   Montague Bikes, EveryDayHealth.com, HealthCentral.com, Fuji
              and Breezer Bikes, Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia,
              Clean Air Council, Whole Foods Market

  About the 2009 Low-Car Diet

Zipcar's Low-Car Diet is an annual program that gives urban residents the opportunity to try out a car-free lifestyle for one month. Beginning July 15th, up to 30 participants from each of Zipcar's 13 cities will pledge to give up their personally owned car for one month, choosing instead to walk, bike, take public transit or use Zipcar for when a vehicle is necessary.

The 2009 Low-Car Diet is supported by national sponsors and editorial partners, including Montague Corporation, HealthCentral.com and EverydayHealth.com. More information is available at zipcar.com/lowcardiet.

About Zipcar

Zipcar is the world's leading car-sharing service with 300,000 members and 6,500 vehicles in urban areas and college campuses throughout 26 North American states and provinces as well as in London, England. As a leader in urban transportation, Zipcar offers more than 30 makes and models of self-service vehicles by the hour or day to savvy city residents and businesses looking for an alternative to the high costs and hassles of owning a car in the city. More information is available at zipcar.com, zipcar.ca and zipcar.co.uk.