Car-sharing service Zipcar wants to make it easier for its customers to take their outdoor toys with them. Select models of Zipcar located in 17 cities around North America will now offer Yakima roof racks for transporting bicycles, skis, or surfboards.
Zipcar will offer the racks on the Subaru Impreza and Crosstrek in the U.S., and on Hyundai Elantras in Canada. The Yakima racks can carry two bicycles, six skis, four snowboards, or two surfboards/paddleboards, depending on configuration. The idea is to help customers who need to rent a car – for instance, city dwellers – easily transport their gear to the great outdoors.
“Our partnership with Yakima gives Zipsters more opportunities to engage in the active lifestyles they love, whether that’s biking, skiing, surfing or stand-up paddle boarding,” Zipcar vice president of marketing Andrew Daley said in a statement.
Zipcar says it will equip about 150 cars in the U.S. and Canada with the roof racks. They'll be available in the following cities: Atlanta; Baltimore; Boston; Chicago; Denver, Colorado; Houston, Texas; Miami; Milwaukee, Wisconsin; Minneapolis, Minnesota; Philadelphia; Portland; Sacramento, California; the San Francisco Bay Area; Seattle; Tampa; Washington, D.C; and Vancouver.
When reserving a car online, Zipcar users can simply look for the “Yakima” logo next to a vehicle listing to find out that’s equipped with the appropriate rack. The cars don’t cost any extra to rent, and Zipcar plans to swap out the rack types by season – e.g. more bike racks in summer and more ski racks in winter.
Source: Zipcar
Gallery: Zipcar adds Yakima roof racks for bikes, skis, and snowboards
Zipcar, the world’s leading car sharing network, and Yakima Products, Inc., the innovation leader in vehicle racks and cargo solutions, today announced that the two companies are joining forces to bring Yakima bike, ski and surfboard carriers to Zipcars in North America. This exclusive partnership enables Zipcar members to enjoy their favorite outdoor activities and adventures outside of the city without the cost and hassle of owning a car.
The Zipcar and Yakima partnership will bring Yakima’s new StreamLine base rack system, paired with FrontLoader bike mounts, FatCat 6 ski/snowboard mounts and SUPDawg stand up paddle/surf board mounts, to more than 150 Zipcars in 17 North American markets. Zipcar members will now be able to hit their favorite mountain bike trails, head to the snow, surf new waves, and more – without worrying about how to transport their gear. The Yakima mounts can hold two bikes, six skis or four snowboards, or two surfboards or paddleboards, so it’s even easier to get out and take on the outdoors with friends.
“Zipcar gives our members the freedom to get out and do what they love,” said Zipcar Vice President of Marketing Andrew Daley. “From ordinary adventures to extraordinary experiences – out to the mountains for a weekend trip with friends, or a day spent surfing at a secluded beach – our partnership with Yakima gives Zipsters more opportunities to engage in the active lifestyles they love, whether that’s biking, skiing, surfing or stand-up paddle boarding.”
According to the Outdoor Industry Association’s ConsumerVue™ research, 34 percent of the outdoor consumer market lives in cities. Zipcar and Yakima’s partnership enables these urban adventurers to live a car-free or car-light lifestyle without sacrificing their ability to get out of the city and enjoy their favorite outdoor activities.
“We are very excited to partner with Zipcar and create these adventure vehicles. Our bike, ski and board mounts make it extremely easy for city dwellers to have awesome outdoor experiences with friends and family,” said Ryan Martin, chief executive officer of Yakima. “This is a perfect partnership of two brands committed to sustainability and taking more friends whenever possible, and we look forward to seeing all the places Zipsters go with this added element of freedom.”
Zipcar members can reserve and drive vehicles in any one of the hundreds of cities and towns, colleges and university campuses and major airports where Zipcar operates. To reserve Zipcars with Yakima racks, tap “Car Model” when making a reservation and look for the Yakima logo. To join and get on the road in minutes, download the Zipcar mobile app.