Zipcar and BosGuy

This summer I participated in a program from Zipcar called the "low car diet". The program Zipcar hosts in cities through out the United States and Canada encourages individuals to forsake their cars and seek alternative means of transportation for an entire month. I wrote about the program here, here, here and here.

Now they are having a contest of sorts and I'd appreciate it if you'd show your support for Boston (and me) by clicking on the link below and then selecting the "Like" icon under the video with me.

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Zipcar: Low-Car Diet Update

Zipcar Low-Car Diet Update

Zipcar Low-Car Diet: Week 1

Monday, August 1st signals the start of the second week of the Zipcar low-car diet program. The intention of the program is to encourage people to use alternative forms of transportation both to live a healthier life and reduce our dependency on our cars. I wrote a bit about the program last week in my post, Zipcar low-car diet 2011. You can also find out more by visiting, www.zipcar.com/lowcardiet.

This past week Sergio and I have forgone our car, which ironically is in the shop. For the most part we've relied on our bicycles and walking to get from point-A to point-B. I have not used a single taxi cab or driven even a .1 of a mile this first week, which I'm fairly certain is a first for me.

How have we modified our lifestyle to accommodate the low-car diet? We've increased the amount we walk and use our bicycles much more. For example Sergio has used his bike to get to and from the college he teaches. I'm rather proud of him for being such a good sport and doing this since I never consulted him about participating in the Zipcar program. I may have caused irreversible harm to our local economy by forsaking taxi cabs. I'm not sure if there has been a solid week since moving to Boston in the late 90s that I have not used a car. All I can say to Boston taxi drivers is I'm sorry. However, I have to admit - I don't mind the walking (even when its late after a fun night out at the bars).

Zipcar: Low-Car Diet 2011

Last week I was selected to participate in a promotion called the Zipcar: Low-Car Diet. For those unfamiliar, Zipcar is a car-sharing program that started here in Boston and is now in 50+ cities in North America and the U.K. The idea of a car-sharing program may seem strange, depending on where you live, but here in Boston and in cities around the country its been hugely successful.

What is Zipcar's promotion all about? The Low-Car Diet is a 30-day challenge not to use my car starting Monday, July 25th. I'll be seeking alternate forms of transportation, such as Zipcar, my bike and feet to get me most places. I'll be recording how I get from point-A to point-B for the next 30-days. I'll do my best to keep you posted. You can see my profile on the Zipcar Low-Car Diet profile page.

In a somewhat related story, earlier this month, Boston became one of the first US cities to implement a comprehensive bike-sharing program. I hope that Boston's bike-sharing program which includes 600 new bikes in more than 60 bike stations throughout the city will prove to be as successful as Zipcar.