How would Wrexham look if more short journeys were made on foot or by bike in the city, the towns and villages across the county?
Never mind the air quality and congestion improvements, how much money would be saved by the county, the NHS and all those people getting around under their own steam? A new programme is launching this month to help people get around more actively when they can – and to encourage them to support local businesses when they do.
James Baker, programme manager, says: “The BetterPoints Wrexham scheme is very much a carrot, not a stick.
“From research, we know people who walk, cycle or take public transport for regular trips are happier and healthier, but what we also know is that those people pass and visit local shops, cafes and other businesses to spend their money locally. BetterPoints Wrexham will reward people for making healthier journeys – and those rewards can be spent at local businesses or donated to fantastic local causes like Nightingale House Hospice and the North Wales Wildlife Trust.”
Workers at Wrexham Industrial Estate have been able to earn rewards for getting to work sustainably since last March, through a pilot funded by Transport for Wales. Richard Jones, who works at Ipsen, won a Tweeks Cycles voucher for cycling to the Industrial Estate. He said, “It keeps me fit, it’s cheaper than driving, and honestly, I just enjoy it more than being stuck in the car.” Richard used his voucher to stock up on parts for his own bike – and to help friends and colleagues. “I do small maintenance jobs for other people in my spare time. I just help out so their bikes are safe and they can keep cycling. If it helps more people stay on their bikes, that’s a win for everyone.”
BetterPoints Wrexham is open to anyone who lives, works or studies in the Wrexham County area. To join in, download the free BetterPoints app and use it to record journeys made on foot, by bike, in a wheelchair, or by bus or train. Green and healthy trips earn BetterPoints, which can be spent at participating local businesses, on supermarket and High Street vouchers, or donated to local charities. Regular drivers can use the app to help them switch any shorter trips that can be made by other means.
BetterPoints want to work with local organisations to help them meet their transport, health and climate goals – and with traders and charities to add local rewards and good causes to the app. Whether you are a café, community organisation or local charity, joining BetterPoints can help connect your organisation with local people making positive travel choices.
The launch will focus on Mode Shift Month this September, rewarding people for swapping car journeys when they can for walking, wheeling, cycling or public transport. Participants can win BetterPoints throughout the month, with a £900 European city break up for grabs for those who travel car-free three times between 16–22 September. For more information and to download the app, visit the BetterPoints website.
