City: Portland, OR

Category: Getting Here, Getting Around

Telephone: (503) 227-1234

Address: 1734 Northwest 15th Ave.

Description: Portland is a great city for those who like to walk, bike, or use public transportation. Yet even if you have liberated yourself from car ownership, you may find yourself needing to use a car occasionally. That’s where Zipcar comes in: It is a cooperative that allows its members access to cars across the city, distributing the cost and hassle of owning a car among all its members. Members are charged for the number of hours they use the cars and the number of miles they drive them, portioning the fees for insurance, gas, repair, and cleaning among everyone. Cars, trucks, minivans, and even cute Mini Coopers and other sports cars are available all day, every day, at specific locations around town. To use a car, you call ahead to make a reservation, pick up the car at the designated spot, and return it to the same location at the time you have arranged. For more information contact Zipcar at (503) 328-3539 or online at www.zipcar.com.