A NEW commuter challenge has been launched by Wokingham Borough Council, urging drivers to find other ways to get to work this month.
The My Journey campaign says that by changing travel habits a positive difference can be made to reduce air pollution and improve residents’ health.
And as part of the contest, the business with the most employees commuting to work by foot, bicycle, bus, train or car-sharing will win a visit from a cargo bike café – a pedal-powered coffee cart – coming to serve them drinks and treats.
Commuters simply use My Journey Wokingham’s BetterPoints smartphone app to track their activity – and watch their workplace rise up a special leaderboard.
Cllr Malcolm Richards, Wokingham Borough Council’s executive member for highways and transport, said: “How we travel to work each day can make a big difference to the local environment, as well as to the length of time taken.
“There are a variety of ways to travel around the borough, and the commuter challenge provides an incentive for employees and residents to try these out during September.”
Save money and environment
“It’s not just about air quality,” said Anne Lancaster from BetterPoints.
“We can all save money, improve our health and help the environment simply by making a few small changes to how we travel.”
Participants walk, cycle, car-share or take public transport and use the smartphone app to keep track of their activity.
As well as the Commuter Challenge, users can also earn the regular BetterPoints. Like with other reward schemes, they can redeem their BetterPoints against rewards such as vouchers for high-street stores – or they can donate them to charity.