The Active Swindon Challenge is returning with a new app which rewards players for taking fewer car journeys.

The popular Swindon initiative launched back in 2014 and has returned this year after undergoing a major upgrade.

It used to be played online and people taking part had to log their progress on a website to earn points. But now, this site has been replaced with a free iOS and Android app which can record trips and track activity in real-time.

In the UK, the transport sector emits the largest amount of greenhouse gasses, producing 27 per cent of the UK’s total emissions in 2019, with cars and taxis the biggest contributors to this at 61 per cent.

The challenge provides points and prizes when people leave the car at home in favour of walking, running, cycling or taking public transport to get around the borough.

Each week, two lucky participants will be randomly selected to win a reward. Prizes could include a £50 Love to Shop voucher or an Active Swindon Challenge t-shirt.

Players can choose to either take part on their own or as part of a team, and will be able to see how they fare against other residents in the Borough through individual and team leader boards.

Points and prizes will also be up for grabs in time-limited challenges. Every competitor who successfully completes a time-limited challenge will gain 50 additional points on the app, and will be entered into a prize draw to win a delicious hamper of goodies from local Swindon deli, Bloomfields.

At the end of April, prizes will be paused so that the initiative can be evaluated but the app will remain operational to allow players to continue recording journeys, competing on the leader boards and taking part in the challenges.

The Active Swindon Challenge is being funded through the government’s Active Travel Fund, which aims to promote walking and cycling for short everyday journeys.

Coun Keith Williams said: “For many people, a new year provides the perfect opportunity to set goals and resolutions to lead a more active and healthier lifestyle for the year ahead - so what better time to relaunch the Active Swindon Challenge than at the start of 2022.

“The challenge has undergone a modern upgrade which means players will now be able to participate in real-time while out and about in Swindon, giving them the flexibility to record their journeys wherever they are through the new app.

“The initiative encourages residents to ditch the car in favour of walking or cycling around the town, which is not only the healthier option, but the more environmentally-friendly option too - helping to reduce air pollution and congestion across the Borough.

“The more people who take part in the initiative, the greater the benefits for everyone.”

Find out more about active and sustainable travel on the Be the Change webpages at www.swindon.gov.uk/bethechange