Many of us might find that while it’s easy enough to bike from home to work and from work back home, we have other travel needs during the day that make bike commuting seem like less of an option.
If you live or work in Portland, that’s where Zipcar comes in. Zipcar is a carsharing network that provides access to vehicles in the United States, Canada, and England. There are over 240 vehicles available in Portland by the hour and day.
This month, Zipcar and the BTA have teamed up to offer a special membership to BTA members and participants of the Bike Commute Challenge. Join Zipcar during September for only $25/year (normally $75). Take advantage of this offer by signing up at www.zipcar.com/btachallenge.
Bike racks next to Zipcar spaces make it easy to go right from bike-to-car-to-bike!
If you have a mid-day meeting all the way across town, or a whole carload full of work stuff to deliver, you still can bike to work and let Zipcar worry about parking, gas, and everything else.
And remember U CAR SHARE too https://www.ucarshare.com/
!!!Finally!!! an alternative to zipcar, who took FlexCar and made it less flexible, less affordable, and less friendly. I’m happy zipcar is there, but I avoid using it unless I absolutely have to.
I’m using U CAR SHARE now whenever I just need a standard sedan. They don’t yet have a variety of vehicle types, so I still go to zipcar for a van or pickup. The one nearest me is parked right inside the Jupiter Hotel parking lot!
And there’s even more good news: Zipcar recently installed bike racks on 9 of their Portland vehicles and bought Northwest Forest Passes for 40 vehicles, so you won’t ever have to miss an impromtu after-work bike ride with your colleagues.
How to find Zipcars with bike racks and forest passes:
1) Filter for specific vehicle type. Cars with bike racks are Subaru Outbacks and Imprezas. The cars with passes include Honda CRVs, Honda Elements, Subaru Outbacks and some Subaru Imprezas.
2) View the vehicle description to check for special features.
Zipcar members can sign up to be a U Car Share member for free (at the bottom of page 2 of the application process).
U Car Share has a low price guarantee, which means you always get the lowest rate. Rates start as low as $4.95 plus mileage (great for short trips) or a $8-$12 hourly rate with 180 miles included per reservation (great for longer trips). Our promise to you is to always give you the lowest rate. Our reservation system takes all the guess work out of it and allows you to enjoy the freedom of a car without having to worry.
Secondly, U Car Share is adding 20 more locations in Portland, OR. These new locations will be the home of SmartWay Certified vehicles and hybrids. The existing PT Cruisers will also be phased out in the near future and replaced with more SmartWay Certified vehicles and hybrids. And more will be added in the Spring of 2010. New U Car Share parking spaces that will be coming soon.
Come to Bend!! We need you here, Zipcar!