I’m happy to announce that we’re adding 3 new I-GO locations early next week!
411 E. Ontario (Blue Honda Civic)
300 N Canal (Gray Toyota Matrix)
3941 N Ashland (Blue Honda Element)
Archive for January, 2009
3 New I-GO Car Locations
Friday, January 30th, 2009Pat Quinn supports I-GO Car Sharing
Thursday, January 29th, 2009
Above: Quinn, second from right, with I-GO CEO Sharon Feigon (far left) and DePaul University representatives during an I-GO/DePaul partnership ceremony in spring 2008.
As Rod Blagojevich’s governorship implodes, and Illinois Lt. Gov. Pat Quinn prepares to take the reins of the unwieldy contraption known as the State of Illinois government, we at I-GO Car Sharing would like to acknowledge that Pat’s an old supporter of our organization and an avid supporter of car sharing and green, sustainable public transit.
Chicagoist just reposted an archived interview they conducted with Quinn in April 2007. When asked for his opinion on transit, Quinn gives I-GO a huge plug as part of the solution for a more efficient public transit system. He’s quite the fortune teller: Just a few weeks ago, the CTA and I-GO joined forces to create a new Chicago Card Plus/I-GO smart card that can be used to ride CTA trains and buses and also access I-GO’s fleet of cars across Chicago, Evanston and Oak Park.
Here’s that part of the interview:
Chicagoist: When you talk about tax relief and budgets in the State of Illinois, those three things – education, health care and tax relief always seem to come up. On a more local level, what would you propose to solve the transit crisis in the region?
Pat Quinn: Well, I take the CTA, and have all my adult life. And I think it really is a crisis. I think the poor service, the trains not always clean as they should be, management leaving a lot to be desired, this should really be addressed. We need the so-called [Regional Transit Authority] to really truly be regional. Too many turf wars between Pace, Metra, CTA, RTA. Given the crisis we have, and the sustainability challenge we have, to have a green way of thinking, where you need to have an excellent public transit system, I think you just can’t hand out money in Springfield to agencies that have been acting in a dysfunctional manner. So I think you have to put some strings on that to get better performance. An example would be a universal pass, which you could use for all transit services, including there’s something we know about called I-GO, which is car-sharing. So you have your transit pass, if you wanted to use a car, and use it for an hour, you know you have this not-for-profit entity, and you can get an I-GO car, and use your pass to drive for an hour to shop, and then bring it back to where the space is. To me those are the creative solutions we need to have right now.
Blagojevich's carbon footprint
Wednesday, January 28th, 2009
Many Illinoisans have long suspected the under-siege guv of being a gasbag. But while Hot Rod is providing fuel for columnists, political blogs, talk show hosts and SNL, has anyone thought about the gas he guzzled, and the CO2 he emitted, during his recent trip to NYC for that whirlwind PR blitz?
Look, sometime pols have to travel on the public dime. But jetting off across the country (and I doubt he traveled coach) just to brandish your shining helmet of hair for Larry King (look for the moment when he thinks he’s off-camera and tries to sneak in a quick hair fix) not only cost Illinois taxpayers for his travel expense reimbursement, it also unnecessarily contributed to carbon dioxide emissions — something Gov. Nim-Rod presumably is against, since he’s backed legislation to compel state agencies to buy flexible fuel vehicles that partly use ethanol and biodiesel. (Though the scientific jury is still out on ethanol’s big-picture advantages.) Then again, the Guv did cut public transit funding and subsidies last year, while still expecting the CTA to let seniors ride for free, so his promotion of sustainable transportation for all seems about as schizo as his attempted media makeover.
Someone correct me if I’m wrong. But judging from my own whirlwind Google search today, travel expenses for employees of the State of Illinois are administered by the Illinois Travel Regulation Council, which in turn falls under the purview of the Illinois Dept. of Central Management Services. (Ah, bureaucracy. So lovably Orwellian.) I may be misinterpreting the legalese here, but the council’s rules on “official travel” do include this no-brainer stipulation: “It is the policy of the State to reimburse employees for reasonable authorized expenses incurred by them in the performance of their duties.”
Obviously they aren’t going to authorize hair spray or teeth whitening dental procedures, but who out there among the electorate would consider Blago’s pandering on The View (”Come on, Governor, do your Nixon impersonation! Say ‘I am not a crook’!”) a “reasonable authorized expense”?
And let’s not forget that Rod apparently detests Springfield so much he’s long chosen to govern from his lovely Ravenswood Manor home. So when he’s compelled to head downstate, hasn’t that also been a completely avoidable travel expense (not to mention, environmentally obnoxious) for which taxpayers have to pick up the tab?
Emissions accomplished, Governor.
USB lunchwarmer warms lunch & my heart
Saturday, January 24th, 2009
Treehugger has a post about this excellent USB lunchwarmer from Japan, which could not only help you save money and cut down on waste, but could also be a warm hat for those in hyper-air conditioned offices.
The manufacturer sums it up (through a Google translation):
Fun fun time for your lunch, dinner is cold but we do not. Lunch not only beloved wife, can heat up your lunch bought at convenience stores.
Indeed. I want so bad. Wonder if it works on pop tarts…
Eat green and good with I-GO
Friday, January 23rd, 2009
In the dead of winter, how does Bacon Wrapped Midwestern Meatloaf sound? How about Prairie Pure Macaroni & Cheese with cheddar and Gruyere. Is your mouth watering yet?
This weekend, head over to Uncommon Ground on Devon. It’s open for brunch, lunch and dinner, and in the evenings they have some hot music to get your feet tapping. Even cooler, they’ve embraced environmentalism like nobody’s business and installed Chicago’s 1st certified organic rooftop farm. The building itself is green and they are committed to serving seasonal, locally produced food as much as possible. You can read all about it here.
AND, I-GO members can get 10% off their check if they show their card.
Bon appetit!
Follow Change and whatnot on the White House website and blog
Wednesday, January 21st, 2009Hey everybody, did you see the new White House website? Very cool – so much change. For you sustainability wonks, there are a lot of good bits on the energy & environment section – let’s hope President Obama can see these goals through. You can keep up with all the Change on the White House blog.
Are you confident in our new President’s commitment to green energy and sustainability, or do you think it will be forgotten as foreign policy and economic crises pile up?
Car sharing in Japan grows as vehicle sales continue to fall
Monday, January 19th, 2009According to a recent article in Japan Today, car sharing is catching on in Japan as well as here in the U.S.. The article claims that, “car sharing is shifting into a higher gear in Japan as people try to save on car maintenance costs and be more environmentally friendly at the same time,”.
While car sharing is growing, car sales are down. Vehicle sales in Japan hit a 28-year low in 2008, according to the figures released by the Japan Automobile Dealers Association (JADA). Annual sales are expected to fall again in 2009. “We never imagined sales would fall this badly,” said JADA Director, Takeshi Fushimi. “This is a bleak situation.”
What is a bleak situation for auto dealers is great news for Japanese car sharing organizations. According to a survey done by the Eco-Mo Foundation, there were 19 car sharing organizations in Japan, with a total of 522 cars being shared by 3,875 members, as of August 2008. The numbers of cars and car stations more than doubled and the number of registered car sharing members increased by half since the same survey was done in January of 2007. Below is a photo of a car sharing site at a condominium in Japan.
Take a bike lane with you
Friday, January 16th, 2009This is pretty sweet – this gadget lets you take a bike lane with you.
The lasers help drivers see you and give them a clear boundary to avoid you, making biking safer at night.
Do you have any tips for safe biking, running, or walking at night?
(via GOOD)
One BILLION cars
Friday, January 16th, 2009
That’s the world population of cars now, and it could double in the next 20 years. This is according to Daniel Sperling, author of the book Two Billion Cars: Driving Toward Sustainability. Sperling was interviewed yesterday on one of my favorite radio shows, Fresh Air.
It’s a really interesting conversation about the history of technology advancements and market forces that have influenced the makeup of the car population now, and how we might slow its growth and make electric, hybrid, and hydrogren vehicles take up a larger share in the future.
Car sharing gets a lot of love, of course, but some of his other answers are surprising. He points out the shortcoming of mass transit and promotes bike sharing, paratransit, and other ways to change what he terms “the transportation monoculture.”
You should take a listen, even if you’re not a policy wonk – these Big Picture questions address important facets of all our lives.
(AP photo via anthonares.net)
Forget your Hummer – I need the Aeolus Airship
Friday, January 16th, 2009Oh man. Want.
Some images like this leaked of the Aeolus Airship – a sleek, people-powered blimp that can fly up to two weeks. It was designed by someone named Christopher Ottersbach. I can’t find much of anything about him or where to find out more about this vehicle, so it might be some hoaxy thing or a movie promo. I don’t care if it is imaginary – I want to pedal through the sky:
So when is Chicago finally gonna get a blimp-sharing service?
(via Treehugger)
Make your own takeout
Thursday, January 15th, 2009Treehugger has links to great recipes for familiar takeout dishes that you can make at home, like pad thai, burritos, and General Tso’s. Not only are you saving money and energy, but you can make your favorites even tastier – maybe tonight I’ll make some ultra-spicy Thai…
I-GO Blog Love
Wednesday, January 14th, 2009Here’s some recent I-GO buzz around the internet:
- Jon Koller interviewed I-GO business manager Richard Kosmacher for an post to his blog Pretty Good City, which covers sustainable urbanism.
- Heather Anderson posted some great money saving tips to her blog – in addition to coupon clipping, she suggests joining I-GO.
- New Home Notebook has a list of available condos that come with I-GO memberships – folks in the market should check it out.
Thanks guys. Blogs are sweet. Do you have one? Let us know.
Got Gas?
Wednesday, January 14th, 2009
The rule of thumb here at I-GO is that if the gas tank reaches a quarter (or below) while you’re out and about, you will need to stop and refuel the vehicle before returning it. We cover the cost of gas. You just need to put it in!
Each vehicle is equipped with a fuel card, which can be found in the keypad device in the glove box. When you swipe the gas card at the pump, you will be asked to enter two numbers: (1) the odometer and (2) the Driver ID (which is not your member number). The odometer reading can be found on the dash board of the car. The Driver ID will appear on the keypad screen when you remove the gas card. In order to make sure that it does show up on the screen, follow these simple steps:
1. Make sure the car is on
2. Turn off the vehicle, but keep the key in the ignition
3. Take the gas card out of the keypad (in glove box)
4. The Driver ID will appear on the keypad screen
If, after pulling the gas card out of the keypad, the screen stays blank or displays “1234″– call our office (773.278.4446) and we can both provide you with the Driver ID and also reprogram the keypad so that the problem does not occur again. Happy Driving!
Protect Your Skin When the Temperature Drops
Wednesday, January 14th, 2009
Aside from the occasional I-GO trip, I rely on the CTA and my own two feet to get around. I spend a lot of time outdoors, even in these freezing temperatures. But sub-zero conditions can leave my face flaky, cracked and red. Here are some tips to keep your skin healthy while braving the elements.
1. Prevent flaky skin.First, avoid products that contain alcohol, which is drying. Instead, use a gentle cleanser and switch to a richer moisturizer. Neutrogena products are my personal favorite.
2. Stop a red nose. Unless you’re guiding Santa’s sleigh, no one wants a red nose (which, by the way, is caused by dilated blood vessels). Since sun exposure can also cause redness, wear plenty of SPF 30 sunblock, even in the dead of winter. Kiehl’s makes a good one. And a warm — not hot — compress to the skin for a few minutes should also reduce redness.
3. Keep lips moist and crack-free. There’s no such thing as too much lip balm. It’s your first line of defense against chapped lips. Also avoid licking lips which dries them out even more.
For more tips to keep your skin healthy this winter, check out this post from Real Simple.
2010 Toyota Prius unveiled in Detroit
Tuesday, January 13th, 2009The auto blog Jalopnik has a ton of coverage from The Detroit Auto Show, where there have been a lot of hybrid cars introduced, including the 2010 Toyota Prius. At 50 MPG, the new Prius will be the most fuel-efficient vehicle available in the country. You can bet I-GO will be looking at the new Prius and other hybrids like the Honda Insight and Ford Fusion Hybrid to add to the already green fleet.
For photos (like this one) and news about new hybrid tech at the big auto show, check out Jalopnik’s full coverage.
Is this blog post contributing to Global Warming?
Tuesday, January 13th, 2009You see this? The Times of London did a story exploring how much greenhouse gasses are created from doing a Google search and other web activities. Apparently two searches release the same amount of gas as it takes to boil a kettle of water. Servers and big computer machines apparently need a lot of power.
Unsurprisingly, Google took issue with the story, pointing out the apparent efficiency of their servers and claiming a search uses as much energy as a human body does in ten seconds, much less than boiling a half kettle of water.
I think a persuasive point they could have expanded on is that doing the amount of research a Google search does in pre-Google times would have taken many car trips to many libraries to look through stacks of paper.
Of course, back then, we didn’t have to update our status to the world every second, which probably could make a few kettles worth of tea.
A Parking Pickle
Monday, January 12th, 2009
Have you ever gone to return your I-GO car only to find a non-I-GO vehicle already parked in the I-GO space? Talk about annoying! If you ever find yourself in this situation, please call our office at 773.278.4446 and press “1″. We can advise you on the best place to park– usually, the closest legal parking spot to the reserved I-GO space. We’ll also have the offending vehicle towed, if possible, and inform the next I-GO member who’s reserved the car you’re returning that it’s parked out of position.
Save some green at these I-GO Chi-Town Rewards businesses!
Saturday, January 10th, 2009Are you taking full advantage of our Chi Town Rewards program? All you have to do is flash your I-GO card at participating businesses and you’ll receive a discount simply for being an I-GO member! We added 3 new Chi-Town Rewards businesses this month:
Green Dream Group
www.greendreamgroup.com
OFFER: 15% off home energy audit
*Home Energy Audits increase comfort and resale value, lower utility costs, and preserve the environment. Services: Blower Door, Infrared Thermographics, Utility Analysis, Energy Star Homes.
Lake Claremont Press
www.lakeclaremont.com
OFFER: Buy 2 books, get 1 free; buy 4 books, get 2 free; buy 5 books, get 3 free.
*A locally-owned publisher, specializing in books about Chicago and Chicago history, by Chicago authors with a passion and Chicago organizations with a mission.
Lillstreet Art Center
www.lillstreet.com
OFFER: 10% off class registration fees & gallery purchases
*A largy community of artists, open to all ages and skill levels. Lillstreet features 19 classrooms, over 50 studios, a gallery, story, cafe and more!
Check out the full list of participating businesses here.
I-GO/CTA buzz
Thursday, January 8th, 2009
Word is out about I-GO’s collaboration with CTA – here’s some coverage around the internet:
- MSNBC.com
- Contactless News
- CBS 2
- Progressive Railroading
- Yo Chicago (plus bonus classic YouTube interview with I-GO Business Development Manager Richard Kosmacher!)
Chicago expands red light ticketing program
Tuesday, January 6th, 2009
As some of you may already be painfully aware, traffic surveillance cameras have been popping up around Chicago at intersections in recent years. Getting caught running a red light on one of these cameras will cost you a hefty $100 ticket in the mail. Already, the City has installed 248 cameras at 123 accident-prone intersections and it looks like there are many more to come.
The 7th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals has given the City of Chicago the go-ahead to continue installing red light camera at intersections throughout Chicago. Rejecting the so-called “innocent owner’s defense”, the ruling states:
“Is it rational to fine the owner, rather than the driver? Certainly so. A camera can show reliably which cars and trucks go through red lights, but is less likely to show who was driving. That would make it easy for owners to point the finger at friends or children- and essentially impossible for the city to prove otherwise”
The City will now move ahead with a major expansion program, installing cameras at more than 330 intersections by 2012. Thus far, these cameras have raised $94.5 million in revenue for the city. However, City Hall insists that it’s more about safety than money, claiming a 59 percent drop in red-light running since installing the cameras in 2003. What do you think? Is this a fare form of traffic enforcement, or is Big Brother going too far?
CTA and I-GO team up
Tuesday, January 6th, 2009Hey everybody! Big news – today folks can sign up for the brand new Chicago Card Plus/I-GO Card. This card can be used to ride CTA trains and buses, Pace buses, and of course, I-GO cars. Not only does this make it easier for people to manage their transportation costs, but it is a recognition of car sharing as an extension of a sustainable transportation system.
I-GO Blog Love: User Experience
Monday, January 5th, 2009
Dan Greenblatt, who blogs about design and user experience at Focus + Context, wrote a great post and created a Flickr stream about I-GO from a user experience standpoint, pointing out the success of a “Frankenstein solution” that mixes high-tech, low-tech, and honor system methods to make sharing cars easy and hassle-free.
I think this is an interesting observation Dan made about using the service for the first time:
To be honest, I was pretty nervous the first time I took out a car. There is something inherently nerve-wracking about driving “someone else’s car”
That is interesting. A lot of folks, especially in areas where daily driving is necessary, grew up thinking of their car almost as an extension of their body – sharing one would be pretty weird. This is different – an I-GO car is “someone else’s car,” but it is also yours!
Dan points out another interesting thing about driving with I-GO:
It’s easy to use (as I hope I’ve shown), it’s affordable, and though it sounds kind of twisted, not driving very often actually makes it quite fun (especially if you’re driving a Prius).
I know, dude – it feels like a special trip when driving now, especially when it’s a Prius, with all the Star Trek-looking display systems and everything. Funny as it may seem, you’ll never have more fun driving than when you go carless.
Dan’s bottom line:
Try I-GO.
You heard it from Dan – his post is a good one to forward to skeptical friends and family in the city who may be reluctant to join the car sharing movement – they’ll find much fun and convenience to be had if they do.
Tree recycling in Chicago
Monday, January 5th, 2009
Don’t add your beautiful Christmas tree to an area landfill – give it new life by having it recycled. The City of Chicago is offering free recycling at parks all over the city through January 16, so load up your ole tennenbaum in an I-GO truck or SUV and drop it off – these sites are taking trees 24 hours a day:
Bessemer Park
8930 S. Muskegon Ave.
Clark Park
3400 N. Rockwell
Forestry Site
900 E. 103rd St.
Garfield Park
100 N. Central Park Ave.
Grant Park
900 S. Columbus
Humboldt Park Boathouse
1369 N. Sacramento
Jackson Park
6300 S. Cornell
Kennedy Park
11320 S. Western
Kelvyn Park
4438 W. Wrightwood
Lake Meadows Park
3117 S. Rhodes
Lincoln Park
Cannon Dr. at Fullerton Ave.
(Parking lot east of Cannon Dr.)
Margate Park
4921 N. Marine Dr.
Marquette Park
6700 S. Kedzie
McKinley Park
2210 W. Pershing Rd.
Mt. Greenwood Park
3721 W. 111th St.
North Park Village
5801 N. Pulaski Rd.
Norwood Park
5801 N. Natoma
Portage Park
4100 N. Long
Riis Park
6100 W. Fullerton
Rowan Park
11546 S. Avenue L
Sheridan Park
910 S. Aberdeen St.
Warren Park
6601 N. Western Ave.
Wentworth Park
5625 S. Mobile
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