The Active Travel Challenge took place over the summer of 2010.

Organisations in Erewash and across Derbyshire were challenged to see who could get the most staff to cycle, walk, or jog for just 10 minutes or more. In total, 28 organisations, 133 departments and 463 people participated in the Challenge. 165 people hadn't cycled in a year before the Challenge.

Organisations competed against others in their size category to see who could get the highest percentage of staff actively travelling. Derbyshire Connexions won the largest organisation size category and received a package of free employee health consultancy. The Team at Weleda Ltd (pictured) won a free energy-saving audit for their organisation. Groundwork Derby and Derbyshire won a Goodie Bag full of outdoor gear from Cotswold Outdoors. The teams at Community Concern Erewash (pictured) and Four Seasons Outdoors will soon be enjoying Indian Head Massages from Bess at Peak Wellbeing.

During the 10-week Challenge period from 19th June to 31st August 2010, participants logged their active journeys on the Active Travel Challenge website and watched their team’s miles build up.

The Challenge generated some inspiring statistics - 7,403 trips were logged, 49,879 miles actively travelled, 6,469,564 Kj of energy burnt (equivalent to 442 pounds of fat!).

Everyone who logged a trip on the website was also entered in to a prize draw each week of the Challenge. Participants won some great prizes – Mark from Curves Ilkeston won a Mezzo folding bike, Phil from Derbyshire County Council (pictured) won a £50 voucher to spend at Cotswold Outdoor and Pauline from Dronfield won coffee and cake for 2 at the Fresh Basil Deli in Belper.

Everyone had a lot of fun! We are currently looking for funding to run the Challenge across Derbyshire next year, so watch this space…!

"I wanted to congratulate you on delivering such a high impact and worthwhile project in Erewash - I really can't think of any other project that I've been involved in which has involved so many organisations and individuals and had so many outcomes, it really was an eye opener for many people to look at how they travel to work and I know that the impact of the project is still ongoing. Myself and my colleagues are still cycling to work / choosing public transport, so on a personal level for me it really was a great opportunity for me to change my habits and behaviour!"

Amie Elliott, Partnership Development Officer, Erewash Borough Council.

Footnote

The Active Travel Challenge was an initiative funded by NHS Derbyshire County and delivered by Choose Cycling, the Derbyshire-based Cycling and Green Travel social enterprise as part of the Active Travel Erewash Project.

Thanks to all our partners and sponsors! Special thanks to Chris, our Active Travel Volunteer, Amie and Sue at Erewash Borough Council, Adam at Groundwork, Rob at Four Seasons Outdoors and Linda at Challenge for Change for their sterling support. And not forgetting Andy at NHS Derbyshire County without whose support the project would not have been possible.