Nickels: Give cars summer vacation, drive less

Here is a list of things Mayor Greg Nickels wants Seattle residents to cut out of their lives: Bottled water. (Drink tap water.) Plastic and paper grocery bags. (Use a reusable tote.) Gas-guzzling cabs. (Replace them with fuel-efficient taxis.)

On Wednesday, he added another item to the taboo list: solo car trips.

Nickels said the city would offer cash and discounts as incentives to get people to drive less and take mass transit, car pool, bike or walk.

"If we all pause before we make a car trip, we can make a difference," Nickels said at a news conference urging people to give their cars a summer vacation.

Seattle residents who promise to drive less can earn up to $350 in gift certificates and coupons.

Nickels spoke at a Rainier Avenue South intersection, where he showed off a billboard encouraging drivers to switch to light rail. However, they will have to wait: Sound Transit's light-rail line isn't scheduled to open until next year.

Representatives from the Seattle Art Museum and Tiny's Organic, a grocery-delivery service, announced they would give discounts to people who drive less. Other museums and the Woodland Park Zoo also will offer discounted admission. To participate in the city's program, go to www.seattlecan.org.

Transportation makes up half of the greenhouse-gas emissions in the city, Nickels said, and he is challenging each resident to drive 1,000 miles less each year, or about 20 miles less a week.

For his commute and official duties, Nickels says he needs a car because of security concerns. The city provides a hybrid sport-utility vehicle.

But he intends to drive less in his personal life: "We drive to the supermarket. Now we will try walking." The supermarket is about a half-mile from his home.

The city plans to spend $60,000 on the program. Grants and partnerships will fund the rest. King County, Redmond and Bellevue also offer incentive programs for residents to drive less.

Seattle residents who pledge to reduce car trips at the Web site are eligible for the following:

• Commit to eliminating a few car trips, and qualify for a drawing for a $50 gift certificate for bus passes or REI.

• Commit to stop driving to and from work five days a week for a year, and receive a $150 cash card. Participants must report their trips and someone else must confirm their commute information.

• Sell or donate a car, and receive $200 in gift certificates for bus passes or REI; a $100 discount to Tiny's Organic; $50 off a Zipcar membership; free membership in the Cascade Bicycle Club and Bicycle Alliance of Washington; and a signed proclamation from the mayor. Participants must present proof of sale or donation.

• For those who already bike, walk or take transit, the city will hold a quarterly drawing for an iPhone.

Sharon Pian Chan: 206-464-2958