REWARDS FOR ACTIVE TRAVEL

RESIDENTS in East Renfrewshire could be urged to sign up to a mobile app which offers rewards to those who cut down on their driving.

The roll-out of a BetterPoints scheme is being considered by the council to encourage people to travel actively and shop locally.

It believes the move could “increase physical activity while potentially boosting footfall in the local town centres”.

Cabinet members will be asked to approve appointing Ansons Consulting as the service provider when they meet on Thursday.

Users collect points for travelling sustainably, such as walking or cycling, which they can exchange for rewards – like a drink in a local coffee shop or money off shopping.

A first phase of the scheme would cost the council £80,000, with external funding secured from Paths for All’s Smarter Choices Smarter Places and Sustrans’ Spaces for People project.

Depending on the app’s success and further available funding, the council would be able to run a second phase, which would increase the cost to £180,000.

A council report states: “BetterPoints is a major opportunity for the whole of East Renfrewshire to become involved in and encourage active travel and increase physical activity while potentially boosting footfall in the local town centres.”

Under phase one, anyone in East Renfrewshire over 14 would be able to take part and employees at large, local workplaces would be targeted. It would run for seven months.