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

PITTSBURGH, July 15 -- Zipcar, the world's largest car sharing service, is giving Pittsburgh 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 also will provide a means to keep more of their paycheck while becoming more active and improving their health.

In Pittsburgh, the Low-Car Diet will begin with a kick-off event on July 17th. Event details include:

  When:         July 17th, at 12 p.m. EDT; event will last approximately one
                hour

  Where:        Market Square (Downtown Pittsburgh at the intersection of
                Forbes Ave. and Market St.)

  Who:          Pittsburgh Low-Car Diet participants

  Speakers:     Scott Bricker, Executive Director of Car Free Fridays and
                Bike Pittsburgh
                Lindsay Baxter, Sustainability Coordinator for the City of
                Pittsburgh
                Joel Johnson, Zipcar Representative

  Key Visual:   Pittsburgh residents leaving their keys behind, one by one,
                as they pledge to shed their car for one month.

  Interviews:   Interviews with participants are available either in
                advance, on-site or throughout the month-long program. To
                schedule an interview, please contact Maria Martinez at
                mmartinez@cooperkatz.com or (917) 595-3059.

                Zipcar Representative Joel Johnson also will 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
                Car-Free Fridays, Bike Pittsburgh and Bruegger's Bagels

  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.