24 Portland Residents in Area's First-Ever "Low-Car Diet"

PORTLAND, Ore.--July 6, 2006--Portland Mayor Tom Potter was on hand at a special event today to direct two dozen Portlanders as they literally gave up their car by dropping their car keys in a lockbox as part of the first-ever Portland Low-Car Diet. The event was sponsored by TriMet, Oregon Department of Environmental Quality, Oregon Department of Transportation, Multnomah County Department of Health, City of Portland, Bike Gallery, Amtrak and Flexcar. The participants pledged to use TriMet, bicycling, walking, Flexcar and other modes of transportation to get around town for the next four weeks.

"We wanted to show people it's easier than you think to live in or near the city and not drive a car," said Mayor Potter. "So much of what you need on a daily basis in our city is within a short walk, bike ride or trip on TriMet. But undoubtedly, there are times you need a car. That's why we've called this the low car diet. These fine citizens will show us all that you really can get by without owning a car in Portland. We hope their experiences inspire many others."

Low-Car Diet participants will be given 25 hours of free Flexcar use during the month, as well as a monthly TriMet transit pass, a $50 gift certificate at the Bike Gallery, one round trip ticket to Seattle or Eugene on Amtrak, other "goodies" and transportation information designed to make their month-long car "diet" enjoyable. Should they complete the month without driving their own car, they will be awarded free hours of Flexcar use each month for a year. And if they decide to sell their own car and continue to use transit, Flexcar and other alternatives they will enjoy savings of up to several hundred dollars per month over owning a personal vehicle.

"Already thousands of Portlanders have come to get around most of the time without a car and rely on Flexcar for when they need a car," said Bill Scott, Flexcar's General Manager. "With more than 100 conveniently located cars, trucks and minivans in and around the city, it's like having your own car, but without the cost and hassles."

Part of the appeal of living and working in downtown Portland and its close-in neighborhoods is the number of walkable and bikeable amenities that are prevalent throughout the city. Restaurants, night life, groceries, coffee, and health clubs are all located within a short walk. Many find that if they own a car, the expense doesn't pencil out in terms of how often it is used. Add to that an excellent transit system and the region is ripe for a low-car environment. Fewer cars mean less pollution, less congestion and more room for open spaces -- all hallmarks of Portland's appeal as one of the best cities in which to live.

Not only is Portland one of the most livable cities, it's also the number one bicycling city in the U.S. according to Bicycling Magazine. The City of Portland has launched a campaign to become a "Platinum" rated city by the League of American Bicyclists -- a world-class bicycling city.

"While living without a car is good for your wallet, it's also very beneficial to air quality," said Dick Pedersen, DEQ Northwest Region Administrator. "Vehicle exhaust is the leading source of smog-producing chemicals and several toxic air pollutants including benzene and formaldehyde. We see car sharing as an excellent way to reduce air pollution by decreasing the number of cars on the road without sacrificing the mobility of our citizens. It gives DEQ great pride that we were one of the founding organizations that brought car sharing to Portland in March of 1998, by securing a grant from EPA."

In addition to the positive economic and environmental benefits, there are health benefits associated with driving less. "Our state has the highest percentage of adult obesity of any state west of the Rockies. Between sitting in offices, taking elevators, removing PE from school curriculum, watching TV, and relying almost exclusively on cars for transportation, opportunities for physical activity have been engineered out of our daily lives," said Lillian Shirley, Multnomah County Health Department Director. "We can do more to design our communities and plan our transportation systems so that physical activity, such as walking and biking, are part of our daily routine."

More information on the Low Car Diet is available online at www.portlandlowcardiet.com or by calling 503-328-FLEX (3539). More information about all transportation options is at www.GettingAroundPortland.org.