Zipcar’s Low-Car Diet program concluded on August 15, 2009. The month-long program began on July 15 and included more than 250 participants from around the world. After the program, 100% of the participants are committed to remaining car-free. This is a big jump from the 83% that committed to staying car-free after last year’s Low-Car Diet.

Here is a summary of results from the 2009 Low-Car Diet:

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

Zipcar is a car-sharing service with a fleet of 6,500 vehicles on college campuses and in urban areas in the United States, Canada, and London, England.

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