Bikers Invited to Sign-up for Flexcar Carsharing and Give-up Paying for Gas, for Good; Flexcar Honors Bike-to-Work Day in San Francisco and Oakland.

SAN FRANCISCO -- As thousands of people take to their bikes tomorrow to participate in National Bike to Work Day, Flexcar will be there along the way to support them, and to remind them that with Flexcar you can have a car at the office without driving to the office. Flexcar will support National Bike to Work day on May 18, 2006, in San Francisco and Oakland by promoting carsharing as an alternative to car ownership. Carsharing, used in conjunction with biking and public transit, helps individuals meet their transportation needs in an economic and environmentally responsible manner.

Flexcar will be providing information in San Francisco, at 19th & Holloway from 7-9 a.m., and at Caltrain Station at 4th & King from 5-7 p.m., and at the Oakland City Hall "Energizer Station," which is set up for bikers to pick up free drinks, encouragement, and goodie-filled canvas bags.

"The National Bike to Work Day is great in getting people to try out riding a bike to work. You quickly get over worries about things like getting overheated and clothes getting damaged and you think about how great it is to be getting exercise and not using your car," said Jennifer Borchardt, a daily bike commuter from the Duboce Triangle to the Financial District in San Francisco. "When I need a car during the workday for business, I use a Flexcar." Borchardt uses Flexcars at Market and Duboce.

Many people, who might normally consider commuting to work via bike or public transit, are hesitant to switch modes of transportation because they sometimes need a car during the day. With conveniently located Flexcars in the Financial District, at Jack London Square and soon in Oakland City Center, it's becoming easier than ever to have access to a car during the day without driving one to work. Flexcar members can reserve cars on the web or by phone, then use their Flexcar Smartcard to unlock the door and drive away. Rates start at $9.00 per hour, with gas, parking and insurance included.

While Flexcar is an ideal way to leave a car at home for the commute, more and more people are finding that even owning a car is optional. After joining Flexcar, about 60 percent of members report selling a car or avoid buying a car. No longer do they make car payments, and at the same time, they don't pay for gas, parking, maintenance or insurance. Surveys also show that after joining Flexcar, members walk more, bike more, and use more public transit.

"Flexcar's mission is to get people out of their cars, reduce traffic and parking congestion, and reduce carbon emissions. National Bike to Work Day is a perfect venue to reinforce our commitment," said Flexcar San Francisco General Manager Dana Beard. "In the Bay Area, we have a dense population, great public transit, and a culture that values conservation and protecting the environment. It's Flexcar's goal is to be an integral part of the overall transportation infrastructure by making carsharing a convenient form of transit on both sides of the Bay."

Flexcar aims to have a car available within a five-minute walk of where its members are. In addition, Flexcar is the first carsharing company to offer service throughout the state of California, along the West Coast and across the country. Because Flexcar operates nationally, individual and business members can use vehicles from Seattle to San Diego and in 37 other cities in seven states from coast-to-coast -- with more locations being added monthly.

Flexcar pioneered carsharing in the United States. Since 1998, more than 35,000 members in seven major metropolitan areas have enjoyed the freedom of having a car without the cost and hassles of ownership. Communities are realizing the benefits of reduced congestion, air pollution and energy use, while increasing use of public transportation and contributing to sustainable communities. More information on Flexcar's San Francisco operation is available at www.flexcar.com or by calling 415-282-3539.

About Flexcar

Flexcar founded the U.S. car-sharing industry and now operates car-sharing programs for more than 35,000 members in seven major metropolitan areas, covering 37 cities in seven states and the District of Columbia. With flexible pricing plans, members can reserve and drive any of these cars whenever and wherever they need to, without filling out complicated paperwork, paying for insurance, gas or repairs. Flexcar Business Memberships enable companies to augment or replace their fleet with Flexcar vehicles. Flexcar's fleet includes sedans, gas-electric hybrids, and specialty vehicles including pickups, AWD, minivans and convertibles. AOL Founder Steve Case and auto industry legend Lee Iacocca are investors/owners of Flexcar.

Editor's Note: Correct spelling and punctuation of name is "Flexcar" (not Flex-car, FlexCar, Flexicar or Flex Car).