When Zipcar first launched in Cambridge, Massachusetts 15 years ago, smart phones hadn’t been invented, social media sites didn’t exist and “sharing” was a concept relegated to toddlers and libraries.

Today, thanks to the success of Zipcar and its members sharing thousands of cars in hundreds of locations around the world, cities have a wider variety of transportation options that reduce parking demand, save businesses, students and consumers money and decrease emissions and pollution.

To celebrate its birthday, and to salute its members and their impact on the future of transportation, Zipcar is hosting promotions, events and parties in communities and cities around the world throughout 2015.

Zipcar has grown from its first car, a VW Bug named Bilbo (which was accessed via a key hidden under a rock), to a technologically-advanced, profitable international business.

Today Zipcar offers car sharing in more neighbourhoods, towns, cities, airports and campuses than any other provider.

With a variety of service options, more than 30 vehicle types from which to choose, business, government, university and FastFleet programs and a loyal membership base, Zipcar continues to drive growth and inspire innovation as the world’s leading car sharing network.

Over the next 15 years Zipcar will bring more car sharing to more people in more places around the world.

The company is continuing its aggressive international expansion plans in Europe, the Middle East and Asia-Pacific regions, as well as expanding its domestic footprint.

In addition, Zipcar is continuing the development and roll-out of its new ONE > WAY platform, expanding its presence in airport locations, and constantly upgrading its technology platform to unlock even more possibilities for service delivery and a leading member experience.

By parking its cars in convenient locations throughout cities and allowing its members to reserve and drive them on-demand, Zipcar upended the traditional one car/one owner model which many government leaders believe has become unsustainable in major cities around the world.

“Zipcar has grown from a small start-up to become an international, profitable mainstream business that is having a demonstrable impact on cities around the world,” said Zipcar president Kaye Ceille.

“We are proud to have paved the way for other innovations in urban transportation and are pleased to see the transformation under way in urban mobility as more and more people turn to access versus ownership.

“We’re getting closer to our vision of a world where car sharers outnumber car owners every day, and that’s fulfilling.”