LIVESTRONG, Live smart

Champion cyclist and cancer survivor Lance Armstrong's social change foundation has become a new beta partner for the groundbreaking Daimler eco-driving scheme, car2go.

Based in the increasingly sustainable US city of Austin, Texas, Armstrong's LIVESTRONG partnership with car2go will see employees of the foundation able to take advantage of the 200-strong fleet of smart fortwo vehicles. Mona Patel, LIVESTRONG Executive Vice President said, "LIVESTRONG employees are excited to be part of car2go's efforts to drastically change transportation in Austin. We're committed to bettering our community and we hope our participation will encourage others to embrace car2go."

car2go is certainly a scheme that's good to embrace. Initially launched in North America by Daimler in November 2009, car2go aims to bring car sharing ‘on demand' to the greater Austin area, with drivers able to use the smart fortwo vehicles for as long as they like. With Austin as the scheme's first location, car2go has brought the green rental to the easy access of the city's 13,000 employees, allowing them to use the smart cars for business and pleasure, with no specific return time. All they have to do is leave the smart car in any public parking space that features the distinctive car2go logo - it's that simple!

The beta partnership between LIVESTRONG and car2go gives the foundation's employees the opportunity to use the smart cars as part of its focus on practicing green living, including offering incentives to carpool, use public transport and utilise green energy wherever possible.

LIVESTRONG was founded in 1997 with the mission to fight for the 28 million people worldwide that are living with cancer. Represented by wearing an iconic yellow wristband that reflects Armstrong's winning yellow jersey that saw him triumph over his health issues, the foundation aims to inspire and empower.

Through gaining funding and resources to support innovation and drive communities to greener living, LIVESTRONG certainly walks the talk. It's recently moved into its first permanent home in the revitalised district of East Austin, the new LIVESTRONG HQ has been awarded a gold rating from Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design for its sustainable design and operating practices.

As Nicholas Cole, President and CEO of car2go N.A., LLC pointed out, "LIVESTRONG's dedication to sustainability and community improvement makes them a perfect partner for car2go. We're looking forward to working with LIVESTRONG in improving the quality of life for Austin residents with our progressive solutions to urban mobility."

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