Go Green with Zipcar: 2-Wheel and 4-Wheel Options in Seattle and More

Many urban families are familiar with Zipcar, the car sharing service whose sign-posted Mini-Coopers and Subarus can be seen parked all over city streets. More than 8 years ago, the eco-innovators at Zipcar saw a need for an occasional car, and provided it. Today, according to their media release, it is the world's leading car-sharing service with 325,000 members and 6,500 vehicles (more than 30 models) in urban areas (think Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, New York, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Portland, San Francisco, Seattle, Toronto, Vancouver and Washington DC). Zipcars are also found on college campuses throughout 28 North American states and in London, England.

How did this concept get so popular that Hertz opened its own competitive service? It's true that many customers don't own a vehicle and don't want the hassle of renting one at an area airport. Zipcar clients typically pick up a self-service vehicle for a few hours or a day to do a chore and then return it to the same dealer. But there are many other perks, too. According to the company,"Zipcar members report an average monthly savings of more than $500 compared to car ownership" and each Zipcar takes the place of 15-20 personally owned vehicles that would otherwise contribute to the environment's demise. In fact, Zipcar's San Francisco fleet has a plug-in electric hybrid that can get over 100 miles per gallon.

Zipcars are also used for much more than chores. They provide the perfect solution for the family traveler who takes advantage of low-cost airlines for budget family vacations, yet wants to be able to take the kids to a suburban zoo or other attraction without having to garage a rental car. And the company is beginning to serve this market as well.

Beginning Labor Day weekend, Zipcar is renting some Seattle, Washington vehicles with bike racks and local park passes in recognition of some clients' need for quality time in the great outdoors.

Eight Zipcars -- Subaru Imprezas -- now sport Thule bike racks and park passes through the fall season; each rack holds two bikes. An additional 22 vehicles (including Honda Elements and Subaru Foresters) have been equipped with federal Northwest Forest Passes. As with all Zipcars, these vehicles include gas, insurance and 180 miles of driving, and are parked in nearby, convenient locations.

The bike racks will stay on cars through the fall of 2009, and the park passes are valid through July 2010 in the Washington and Oregon National Forests at day-use sites where fees are collected. (By the way, this program is also being tested in Portland, Oregon.)

To locate a biker's zipcar in Seattle or Portland, clients can search their website at www.zipcar.com and filter results by feature. The Zipcar website is a great place for other information, and they are also a phone-friendly company and accept bookings at 866-4ZIPCAR (866/494-7227).

And the $1,000 Question? Yes, we called Zipcar's toll-free number and asked their reservations agent if we could get a Zipcar with a carseat. The friendly woman on the other end of the phone sounded totally taken aback.

"Do you have an occasional child," she asked,"or just an occasional carseat?" When we explained that we had a full time child but no car, therefore no need for a carseat, she suggested we use our local yellow pages or Internet to find a rental carseat and then book our car.

"That's a first for me and a good idea," she continued. "I'll have to note it in our customer suggestions record because it probably would fill a need for many of our members."

And we guess that customer service is the real reason why this company has grown into such a force in the marketplace. Let's support them!