Arlington’s Car-Free Diet

Arlington County Commuter Services (ACCS) is launching a campaign titled “Arlington’s Car- Free Diet” in November, 2007.

This is the next phase in the “Way to Go Arlington” campaign. The campaign is focused on getting Arlington residents and those who work in Arlington to try the “car-free diet” by getting out of their single occupancy vehicle (SOV) and using alternatives such as transit, walking, biking, or teleworking. Those who try the Car-Free Diet will see the results in health benefits, cost savings, and a cleaner environment.

Many of the links below are to PDF files. Adobe Reader is required to view these files.

Campaign elements include:

• Brochure (PDF) with detailed transit information and a transit/bike/walk map that will be inserted in the Nov./Dec. issue of The Citizen and distributed through the Commuter Stores; The Citizen also includes an article and coupon for a free ride on ART and Metrobus
• Carfreediet.com website with a calculator that provides instant feedback by computing dollars saved and the positive environmental and health impacts at an individual level; also includes a car-free diet challenge and pledge
• Car Free Diet blog for sharing individual stories
• Banner ads on Commuterpage.com and washingtonpost.com
• The book “How to Live Well Without Owning a Car” by Chris Balish with a special Arlington focused chapter
• Ads in the Metrorail stations
  • "Eat What You Want" 2-sheeter (PDF)
  • "Lost 2000 Lbs." 2-sheeter (PDF)
  • "Unwanted Stress" 2-sheeter (PDF)
• Metrobus king/queen/tail and inside bus card advertising
  • "Eat What You Want" king bus card (PDF)
  • "Lost 2000 Lbs." king bus card (PDF)
  • "See Results" king bus card (PDF)
• Ads in Arlington/Alexandria weekly edition of The Washington Post, Sun Gazette, and Connection
  • "Lost 2000 Lbs." black and white ad (PDF)
  • "Results" black and white ad (PDF)
• Dioramas at Crystal City Underground and Ballston Common Mall (promoting Commuter Stores)
• Coordination with Arlington Transportation Partners in promoting the car free diet to their employer clients
• Give-aways such as books, t-shirts, pins, and candy
  • Carfree Diet button (PDF)
  • Carfree Diet sticker (PDF)
  • "Lost 2000 Lbs." T-shirt (PDF)
• Rosslyn-Ballston direct mail piece
  • Inside (PDF)
  • Outside (PDF)

Public Relation elements include:

• Press release announcing the Car-Free Diet
• Chris Balish event in January (depends on his availability)
• County Board Resolution
• AVN commercials
• Street Team events
• Give article/materials to civic associations for newsletters, etc.

The campaign will tie in to the AIRE and FitArlington initiatives.

Media Coverage:

Fox 5 TV, Monday, November 26, 2007, 5pm (streaming video)

Fox 5 TV, Monday, November 26, 2007, 10pm (streaming video)