Active Trans offers freebies, not just deduction, if you donate your car

Car donation in Chicago has a new twist.

Beginning Thursday, if you donate your car to the Active Transportation Alliance, you will receive free memberships to the Divvy bike share program and the Enterprise CarShare program — on top of a tax deduction.

“More and more we see people going car-free or downsizing their car and really taking advantage of the emerging options for traveling without a car,” said Ron Burke, executive director of the group. “So we made some of those options free in return for donating a car.”

In addition, the group — which is bent on weening people from their personal vehicles and toward bikes, walking and public transportation — is also offering a free seven-day unlimited Ventra pass, special rates at Ancien Cycles (a bike shop in the West Town neighborhood) and a one-year membership to the Active Transportation Alliance, which normally would cost $35.

The one-year Divvy membership — valued at $75 — includes unlimited rides. The one-year Enterprise CarShare membership — which retails for $65 — includes $50 of driving credits. However, Burke said, supplies of both are limited.

Burke said the program is in line with a trend of carless living that has given rise to Uber and other transportation sharing programs.

“We couldn’t think of a better way to say ‘thanks’ for a car donation than giving people the tools they need to make the transition to a car-free or car-lite lifestyle,” he said.

Anyone who wants to sign up for the program should visit http://www.activetrans.org/donate-car.

Ron Burke, executive director of Active Transportation Alliance, says the group was looking for ways to encourage people to give up their cars. | Sun-Times file photo