CHICAGO, July 6 /PRNewswire/ -- Zipcar, the world's largest car-sharing service, is giving 30 Chicago residents the opportunity to test drive a low-car and less expensive lifestyle as part of its second annual Low-Car Diet. Beginning July 15, participants will hand over the keys to their personal cars and commit to living one month without the use of their vehicles. Instead, they will utilize public transportation, increase walking and biking, and be given a membership to Zipcar to access the vehicles when necessary.

As a wellness component in this year's Low-Car Diet in Chicago, Zipcar is partnering locally with Berry Chill, the all-natural chilled yogurt bar, to underscore the health benefits of having a car-free routine. Participants will receive complimentary treats designed to encourage a healthy lifestyle, including:

• Five free servings of Berry Chill's all-natural chilled yogurt each week
• A one-month gym membership at Equinox
• Airbrush tans from Ortanic
• Montague Corporation will provide one lucky Chicago participant with a SwissBike TX

"Chicago's Low-Car Diet is an opportunity for residents to experience all of the benefits of living car-free and encourages them to rethink their routine and opt for a smarter and healthier lifestyle," said Mark Norman, president and COO of Zipcar. "Last year's Low-Car Diet demonstrated that trying a car-free lifestyle can lead to permanent car shedding, and we believe even more Chicagoans will discover the same benefits this year."

    WHAT:       Zipcar Chicago's Low-Car Diet (presented by Berry Chill)
                zipcar.com/lowcardiet

    WHO:        Thirty local participants will drop the keys to their
                personally-owned vehicles in a lock box and pledge to test
                drive a car-free and healthier lifestyle for one month

    WHEN:       Beginning July 15th through August 14th
                Kick-off Event: July 15th

    WHERE:      Chicago
                Kick-off Event: Skybox on Sheffield across from Wrigley Field

"It's the middle of what has been a tough year for so many people," said Berry Chill founder Michael Farah. "Instead of waiting until January, we wanted to give a group of Chicagoans the chance to jump start their goal setting of staying healthy and saving money in a positive way with a mid-year resolution that combines car-free living with a daily dose of Berry Chill."

For individuals who are interested in participating in Zipcar Chicago's Low-Car Diet, please visit http://tinyurl.com/lowcardiet to apply.

SOURCE Zipcar, Inc.