Last year, as well as saving money and helping improve their physical and mental health and wellbeing by choosing active journeys, more than 9,000kg of CO2 was saved thanks to those who took part in the challenge, demonstrating the real impact sustainable travel can make in improving air quality and the local environment.
The Active Travel Challenge is a joint initiative between Sustrans, Translink, the Department for Infrastructure, Public Health Agency (PHA), Belfast Health and Social Care Trust, and Belfast City Council.
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Challenge runs during June
The challenge is free to sign up to and takes place for the entire month of June.
It is open to individuals of all ages and organisations of any size, to encourage them to switch their usual routine and try walking, cycling, or taking public transport for a more active and greener way to travel.
Once registered, participants simply log their ‘active travel’ journeys throughout June on the online platform for a chance to win a range of prizes, including vouchers, travel tickets, gym passes and rewards with national and regional retailers.
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Every journey counts
From the daily commute to work or school, to a trip to the local shop, the Active Travel Challenge encourages people to leave the car at home or simply add some active travel into their journey by using their local park and ride, in a bid to be more sustainable, save money and help improve their physical and mental health.
Each journey logged will record Co2 savings, helping participants see the effect their active travel is making.
The online platform will also show how much they have saved from each journey. Participants can register as an individual and also as part of a team, enabling healthy competition among colleagues, family or friends.