Competiton pits colleagues against each other to see who can rack up most journey miles

Scotland’s third sector commuters are being urged to “reimagine” their routine journeys to work and get creative about ditching the car.

Walking and cycling charity Sustrans Scotland wants the country's voluntary sector workers to take part in the Scottish Workplace Journey Challenge this March to see who can clock up the most most walking, cycling, public transport and car-sharing journeys.

Colleagues and employers will be pitted against each other in a bid to win a share of prizes worth £4,500.

Businesses and individuals can join the free online challenge, funded by Transport Scotland, encouraging people to replace solo car journeys in favour of healthier, environmentally friendly, sustainable travel options.

Individual challengers will be judged on the number of journeys they complete while workplaces are judged on the overall rate of participation in the team.

Last year the event saw nearly 4,000 people from 300 businesses sign up. Logging over 55,000 journeys, burning 33,744 doughnuts in calories, saving over £62,000 and nearly 60,000kg in CO2 emissions by choosing to travel actively and sustainably for their journeys to, from and for work.

Lee Craigie, Active Nation Commissioner for Scotland said: “We all want a more active nation and the workplace challenge is a great way to encourage people to change the way they commute everyday by making healthier and greener travel choices.

“Walking and cycling, alongside public transport and car sharing options can be better for your physical and mental wellbeing but also saves money, reduces harmful emissions and has less environmental impact.

“If you are yet to make a change in 2019, it’s never too late. Find out more about the Sustrans workplace challenge, get involved and discover the benefits for yourself.”

Sustrans’ Workplaces Coordinator, Terry Roberts said: “It’s a fun interactive way to improve fitness, team building and promote active travel among staff. The Challenge is a good opportunity to look at how you commute and a great way to make cycling and walking part of your daily life.

“We wish all the workplaces involved the best of luck over the coming month.”

To register for the Scottish Workplace Journey Challenge or to get your workplace involved please visit the challenge website