The Sustrans’ Workplace Challenge aims to get workers to leave the car at home for the month of March
Commuters managed to save lots of money and help the environment by embracing a charity challenge.
Sustrans’ Workplace Challenge aims to get workers to leave the car at home for the month of March.
Commuting Scots from across some of the country’s biggest companies, including Baillie Gifford & Co, Visit Scotland and RBS, saved an astonishing £89,582.60 by ditching their car for more sustainable travel methods.
More than 75,000Kg CO2 emissions were saved across the month and 10 million calories burned as almost 5,000 people made an effort to walk, cycle, take the bus and car share over jumping into their cars solo.
As well as taking more traditional alternative methods to ditching the car such as using the park and ride, working from home, or taking the train, those who took part also sought-out unique ways to get to their desks including kayaking, canoeing and taking the ferry.
The Workplace Journey Challenge spearheaded by sustainable transport charity, Sustrans, in partnership with Transport Scotland, aims to transform the way people in Scotland commute to work to reduce congestion, encourage active travel and support employee productivity. This year’s challenge was the most successful yet with a 54% rise in more active journeys being logged.
John Lauder, Sustrans Scotland director, said, “We’re committed to transforming the way people, employers and businesses think about urban travel and want to play an integral role in the active travel revolution in Scotland. Investing in staff wellbeing is a major part of this transformation as we know through our research that employees who cycle or have an active route to work are healthier, happier and take nearly half as many sick days as their colleagues who drive or take public transport.
“With absenteeism costing UK employers £2.9 billion each year, it’s important that employers get behind employees to encourage alternative routes to work to help boost health and wellbeing and productivity.
“Luckily, with health and wellbeing being at the heart of many employer’s focuses now, the Workplace Challenge continues to go from strength to strength and this year we have had an almost 30% increase on last year’s participation levels. Whilst the challenge was on for just one month, we work with both employers and employees throughout the year to encourage change.”
