The BetterPoints active travel app in East Dunbartonshire has seen more than 500 locals racking up rewards from their activity.
The free app encourages people to walk, wheel, cycle, run and use public transport. Participants earn points which can be spent at participating local businesses, redeemed for vouchers at major retailers and hospitality venues or donated to charity.
Gavin’s Mill in Milngavie, a Fair Trade shop, café and registered charity, is one of the participating local enterprises. Its volunteers also use the app regularly.
Sue Milne, chair of Gavin’s Mill Community Project, said: “We’re delighted to be part of the BetterPoints East Dunbartonshire challenge. If you’re out and about, why not pop into the Mill and help to support our important work? We’d be delighted if you donate your points to raise much-needed funds for our charity, Gavin’s Mill Community Project.”
Councillor Paul Ferretti, convener of East Dunbartonshire Council’s Place, Neighbourhood and Corporate Assets Committee, said: “There are now over 500 registered local users on the app – which helps to promote health and wellbeing, active travel and efforts to tackle climate change. Whether you’re a resident or business, why not join the team? Get the app and turn miles into smiles.”
Residents can download the free BetterPoints app to a smartphone or tablet and register with a local postcode to join the BetterPoints East Dunbartonshire challenge. Journeys are detected through the app – so once a user starts moving, activity is automatically recorded.
There are bonus points for travelling sustainably into Bearsden, Bishopbriggs, Kirkintilloch or Milngavie town centres.
Businesses and service providers can sign up for free. Reward vouchers are paid for by BetterPoints.
For more information, visit the BetterPoints website.
For anyone living outside the area that works in East Dunbartonshire, a code can be obtained from BettterPoints.
BetterPoints East Dunbartonshire is delivered by the Council through support from Paths for All’s Smarter Choices, Smarter Places fund.
The app uses GPS to work out accurate distances travelled and the method of travel (which can be amended manually on the day if necessary). All data collected is aggregated and anonymised, and will not be shared with anyone else, including partners.
