Thirty Bostonians to Quit Cars for One Month and Jump Start a Low-Car Diet

Mayor Tom Menino and Zipcar CEO Scott Griffith Speak About Smart Urban Living, Demo New iPhone Application at South Station Photo Opportunity / Live Interviews

BOSTON, July 9 -- Zipcar, the world's largest car sharing service, is giving 30 Boston 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 Boston, the Low-Car Diet will begin with a kick-off event on July 15th. Event details include:

  When:        July 15th, at 11 a.m. EDT; event will last approximately
               45 minutes

  Where:       South Station (700 Atlantic Ave., Boston, MA 02111)

  Who:         Thirty Boston residents, including New England Revolution
               players Jeff Larentowicz and Chris Tierney, will attend and
               participate in the Low-Car Diet

  Speakers:    Tom Menino, Mayor of Boston
               Scott Griffith, Zipcar Chairman & CEO
               Nicole Freedman, City of Boston, Director of Bike Programs
               Montague Bikes

  Key Visual:  Thirty Bostonians 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 Nick Sowards at
               nsowards@cooperkatz.com or (917) 595-3049.

               Zipcar Boston General Manager Dan Curtin will also be
               available for interviews at the event.

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

  Local 
  Partners:    Montague Bikes, EveryDayHealth.com, HealthCentral.com, MBTA,
               Boloco, Gazelle.com, UrbanAdventours, Whole Foods,
               PlanetTran, Vitamin Water, RunMyErrand.com and the New
               England Revolution

  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.