BetterPoints user Martin tells us his story
Whilst he had aspirations to travel more actively when he found a new job, discovering BetterPoints has helped Martin to meet these ambitions and then some. Here is what he had to say about the app and the Move for Change challenge.
Before joining the challenge, what were your travel habits like?
“I had recently found a new job, which is based about 12-miles down the coast from where I live. When I started there, I set myself the goal of cycling to work once a week and use the car for the other 3 days I was in the office. But discovering BetterPoints and the Move for Change challenge has encouraged me to be a lot more active than first planned!"
How has the app helped you to travel more actively and sustainably?
"The rewards I receive for my walking and cycling are really encouraging. Seeing the miles I have travelled and the BetterPoints that I have earned provides that little nudge in the morning to get up and cycle rather than take the car. I like being able to work towards a points target, which will allow me to exchange my BetterPoints for a local retail voucher.
I really try to be as ‘green’ as possible in everything I do. So being able to spend the rewards from my walking and cycling activity at ethical and sustainable shops is a big motivator."
How have your travel habits changed?
"The biggest impact has been on my commute, as I am now cycling 3 or 4 times a week to work. I am being more active on the weekends as well. Whereas before I would have driven to a local park to then go for a walk, I am now cycling to the park instead. All in all, I am using my car about a third of what I was previously."
Have you noticed any health benefits as a result?
"My trousers don’t fit anymore, I need a belt! Generally, I am in a more positive frame of mind. Getting active in the mornings sets me up for the day. It gives me greater energy and motivation to do things. Whilst in the evenings, it really does allow me to de-stress. It is a much nicer feeling cycling home at the end of the day rather than sitting in my car, stuck in traffic getting annoyed!”
Big thanks to Martin for sharing his story with the BetterPoints community. He is our first ‘Ditch the Car Star’ and we would love more participants to share their story, so we are offering you a chance to win 10,000 BetterPoints too. Just look out for an invitation via the app to share your story in the coming weeks.