Way to go! Nearly 100,000 car journeys were avoided in East Dunbartonshire thanks to a movement which encourages greener, healthier travel.
BetterPoints is a free app which is inspiring people to walk, wheel, cycle, run and use public transport … while earning rewards on the go.
The Council teamed up with the app to launch the BetterPoints East Dunbartonshire challenge last May. It is fully externally funded locally by Transport Scotland’s Active Travel Infrastructure Fund.
The mission is to promote health and wellbeing, active travel and efforts to tackle climate change. There is a particular focus on reducing single-occupancy car trips.
Stunning results for the first year include:
- More than 166,000 active and sustainable journeys made (May 2024-May 2025)
- Nearly 97,000 car journeys avoided, equating to 31.5 tonnes of CO₂ emissions
- The Spring Schools Challenge involved 11 local schools and nearly 1,200 pupils, parents and staff from Bearsden, Bishopbriggs, Kirkintilloch, Lennoxtown, Lenzie, Milngavie and Twechar
- 76% of participants said they are now more likely to walk, with 68% less likely to use the car and 44% more likely to use public transport
- 87% rated their experience of the programme as good or very good.
Some 1,260 people have signed up for the East Dunbartonshire challenge – around three-quarters of whom are women, with many reporting improved wellbeing, finances and confidence.
The app, which is used by a number of local authorities across the UK, allows participants to earn points that can be spent at participating local businesses, redeemed for vouchers at major retailers and hospitality venues or donated to charity.
Signing up is easy – download the BetterPoints app for free to a smartphone or tablet from your app store and register with a local postcode to join the East Dunbartonshire challenge. For more information, visit the BetterPoints website.
Journeys are detected through the app – so once a user starts moving, activity is automatically recorded. Whenever you walk, wheel, run, cycle or use public transport in East Dunbartonshire, you can earn BetterPoints.
The initiative is highlighted in the Council's draft Climate Action Plan (CAP), which is currently the subject of consultation.
The draft CAP is a strategic roadmap to reduce emissions, build resilience to the ongoing effects of climate change and deliver wider benefits for our communities – including cleaner air, better health and fresh job opportunities.
Visit the Draft Climate Action Plan page to read a summary, access the full plan and fill in a survey by 19 December 2025.
Councillor Paul Ferretti, Convener of East Dunbartonshire Council's Place, Neighbourhood and Corporate Assets Committee, said,
I am delighted that so many people have downloaded the BetterPoints app and joined the 'local motion'. Not only is it good for health, it’s good for the environment – and there are rewards that benefit local residents, businesses and charities too.
The campaign includes seasonal community challenges, such as Glow-vember, National Walking Month, Feel Good February and the Spring Schools Challenge.
If you live outside the area, but work in East Dunbartonshire, you can sign up for the local challenge using a code – email customercare@betterpoints.uk for more information.
For businesses and service providers, signing up is also easy – and there’s no cost, reward vouchers are paid for by BetterPoints – get in touch via the sign up as a trader section of the BetterPoints website.
