Zipcar’s 2009 Low-Car Diet

Most eco-minded individuals have heard of car sharing and how it’s a healthy choice for the environment, and now there’s news that car sharing may be far healthier for human bodies too, not just the earth. Zipcar launched their 2009 Low-Car Diet this summer in which 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.

And the results? Astounding…

Key findings from the 2009 Low-Car Diet include:

• Individuals spent 67% less on vehicle-related costs compared to the previous month when they were driving their
  personally owned cars.
• 59% of participants said 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)
• Individuals took 74% fewer trips by car overall and reduced overall vehicle miles traveled by 66%.
• Low-Car Diet participants doubled their public transit use with an amazing 98%  increased use of public transportation.
• Participants walked 93% more and biked 132% more, logging a combined total of 8,060 miles by bike during the Low-Car Diet month.
• 47% of participants said they lost weight.

These are some amazing results don’t you think? You can check out what participants had to say at the Low Car Diet site.

Zipcar, the company holding the event, offers car share services in many urban areas in the U.S. and in Canada (Vancouver + Toronto) along with London. You basically join up, reserve a car when you need one, and get moving; all for nominal fees as compared to owning your own car. Plus, as shown in the results above, a side benefit is better health and likely lower medical costs in the long run.

We’ll look at more about car sharing soon, but these healthy Low Car Diet results above should give you something to ponder in the meantime.