BetterPoints returns to Falkirk with rewards for walking, cycling and using public transport
Falkirk Council is leading the way in changing transport habits by commissioning an innovative behaviour change campaign, provided through another partnership between Ansons Consulting and BetterPoints.
The programme is called Take the Right Route, using a well-established local brand which promotes walking, cycling and public transport. Participants can earn BetterPoints for active and sustainable travel. These can then be spent at local businesses, online, or donated to charity.
Encouraging people to visit their local town centres is a major focus and users are awarded extra points for travelling to or through the centres of Bo’ness, Denny, Falkirk, Grangemouth and Stenhousemuir.
The local Business Improvement District (BID), Falkirk Delivers, are working closely with the project team. Falkirk Delivers run the District Towns Gift Card, accepted in over 100 local businesses across the Falkirk Council area. Take the Right Route participants can win gift cards for referring friends into the programme throughout November and for travelling actively every day in December. There are over £500’s worth of gift cards up for grabs, plus prizes from Falkirk FC.
Elaine Grant, Business Manager at Falkirk Delivers, said: “We’re excited to be part of this programme which will help to support our local businesses across the region.
“We hope to see lots of local people out and about, earning points which they can then spend locally using our District Towns Gift Card.
Throughout the campaign people can earn boosted points just by visiting their local town centres, and in December there will be prizes available everyday as part of a ‘Christmas Countdown’.”
The first Refer a Friend winner, Becky, works at Denny High School and said, “I first downloaded the BetterPoints app for the Travel Right Falkirk programme a couple of years ago. I used the app lots and got many colleagues involved too. Quite a few of us won prizes and really enjoyed it for tracking activities… I really like tracking my exercise and earning points as I go.”
Councillor Paul Garner said, “I urge everyone who lives or works in Falkirk to get involved in the Take the Right Route programme. By doing so, you will be supporting our local traders and can experience the benefits that being more physically active can deliver.”
Take the Right Route is funded by Paths for All’s Smarter Choices, Smarter Places Fund. Grant-funded by Transport Scotland, Smarter Choices, Smarter Places aims to increase active and sustainable travel throughout Scotland.
*Image by Falkirk Herald