Zipcar announces results of the 2009 Low-Car Diet annual program

Aug 24 2009

Zipcar, the world's largest car-sharing service, today announced the results of the 2009 Low-Car Diet, in which more than 250 people around the globe gave up their car for a month, from July 15 - August 15, 2009. After this year's annual program, 100 participants noted that they planned to stay car-free, compared to 83 who made that same commitment after last year's Low-Car Diet.

The key findings from this year's 2009 Low-Car Diet include:

• Economic Impact
  • Respondents spent 67 percent less on vehicle-related costs compared to the previous month when they were driving their personally owned cars

• Environmental Impact
  • 59 percent of the participants reported that the Low-Car Diet encouraged them to make other environmentally friendly changes in their life such as recycling, eating more organic foods and reducing their at-home energy usage (e.g. turning off lights and air conditioning)
  • Participants took 74 percent fewer trips by car and reduced overall vehicle miles traveled (VMTs) by 66 percent
  • Low-Car Dieters also doubled their public transit ridership with a 98 percent increased use of public transportation

• Health Benefits
  • Participants walked 93 percent more and biked 132 percent more, logging a combined total of 8,060 miles by bike during the Low-Car Diet month
  • 47 percent Low-Car Dieters reported losing weight; a total amount of 413 pounds were lost during the program

"Once again, the Low Car Diet results emphasize our mission to enable simple and responsible urban living," said Scott Griffith, chairman and CEO of Zipcar. "We congratulate this year's Low-Car Dieters and honor their ability to apply a 'smart consumption' mindset to their daily lives - ultimately impacting their own wallets, health and communities."

The Healthy Side of Car Sharing

Since many 2008 Low-Car Dieters highlighted the health benefits of last year's program, this year, Zipcar decided to weigh up these findings. As a result, Zipcar confirmed what last year's Low-Car Dieters suggested - the program helped Low-Car Dieters to shed pounds and adopt a healthier lifestyle. As they walked and biked - to work, to public transit, to the store, to run errands, to a friend's place, or sometimes just to be active - Low-Car Diet participants reported feeling healthier, losing weight and having more energy throughout the day.

Participants were encouraged to tap into the health benefits of living without a car by key sponsors and editorial partners who generously supported this year's Low-Car Diet. Montague Corporation provided an innovative folding bike to one participant in each city; HealthCentral provided fitness and nutrition experts to consult with participants at regional kick-off events; and bloggers from EverydayHealth in New York, Philadelphia, San Francisco and Seattle participated in the Low-Car Diet, sharing their experiences and creating a dialogue.

Two Low-Car Dieters - Evan and Michelle Judson, a married couple with two children, from Portland, Oregon - took their experience to heart, hoping to prove that if they could succeed, anyone could. As a result, they lost a collective 15 pounds and are selling two cars. "We've both lost weight, saved money and our children are learning a car-free lifestyle early on, so deciding to sell our two cars was a no-brainer," said Michelle Judson.

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, more than 250 people in cities in the U.S., Canada and London, gave up their personally owned car for one month, choosing instead to walk, bike, take public transit or Zipcar as necessary. The 2009 Low-Car Diet was supported by national sponsors and editorial partners, including Montague Corporation, HealthCentral.com and EverydayHealth.com.