WORKERS from firms across York ditched their cars to take part in City of York Council’s i-Travel York winter challenge, clocking up more than10,000 miles.

Employees logged the miles on foot and by bike throughout February as part of the challenge which called for people who work in the city to walk and cycle more and compete with other businesses to see who could log the most journeys and miles.

Employees from 32 businesses across York took part in the challenge, logging over 6,000 journeys.

The winning businesses include Vangarde Shopping in the micro category, Door 84 in the small category, and Benenden Health who logged over 500 journeys to lead the medium category. The University of York took the honours for the large category logging over 1700 miles by walking and cycling.Alongside the business challenge, spot prizes were awarded to participants, who inspired others to join the challenge and those who logged the most journeys. Jason Carter who works for bus company First, won himself an iPad Mini after logging the most journeys throughout the month.

Executive member for transport and planning, Cllr Ian Gillies, said: “The winter challenge highlights the fact that it’s easier than many people think to carry on walking and cycling throughout the colder months. As Jason shows it’s easy to switch from using the car for little journeys that add up to make a real difference and it’s a great way to include some exercise in your daily routine.”

Jason said: “I quite often walk or cycle to my local Park & Ride site to get the bus to work, or if the weather’s nice I’ll sometimes cycle all the way. The whole team at work ended up getting quite competitive by the end of the challenge seeing who could log the most journeys.”

Jayne Storey, Group HR Director at Benenden said: “As a health and wellbeing mutual Benenden are always looking for more ways to help our employees be physically active and improve their health, and the York Winter Challenge from i-Travel has played a big part in that.” It’s also good to be part of a group that is putting so much effort into making York a greener city in which to live and work. And, of course, to win the award is the icing on the cake for us. We will be donating our prize money to our two charities of the year, St Leonard’s Hospice and Macmillan.”

During the York Winter Challenge, the i-Travel York team visited workplaces and spoke with over 700 people to inspire them to walk and cycle more and to record their journeys on the BetterPoints app.

Participants logged their activities using a free bespoke smartphone app called BetterPoints. The app rewards individuals with points that they can redeem for shopping vouchers, or donate to charity.

The i-Travel York Winter Challenge may have finished but you can still log your active journeys to earn points and exchange them for high street rewards throughout March. So why not get a head start on getting fit and healthy this spring? For more information visit www.itravelyork.info/WinterChallenge