A new active travel app to be trialled in Renfrewshire which will give people rewards for choosing alternative transport instead of their cars

The Better Points app will allow people to track their active journeys and convert their points into discounts at participating businesses

People across Renfrewshire will be encouraged to walk, run and cycle in exchange for rewards via a new active travel app set to be trialled by the council.

As part of efforts to make the region carbon neutral by the end of the decade, there are plans to roll out the Better Points app across the region which encourages people to ditch their cars and take part in active travel, reports the Daily Record.

It will allow people to track their journeys – automatically or manually – and build up points based on how much they get about by bike or on foot.

These can then be converted into discounts at local businesses that have signed up to take part in the scheme.

Documents due to be presented to the environment board next week state the initiative will be tested for a year.

A council spokesman said: “We are looking forward to working with Better Points to introduce this new active travel campaign in Renfrewshire which will encourage people to walk, wheel or cycle instead of using the car.

“People will be rewarded with points for taking more active journeys and these can be converted into discounts and prizes at local Renfrewshire businesses. It aims to create healthier lives, lower emissions and support the local economy.”

A feasibility study for the council was conducted by Arcadis last year on the cost-effectiveness of Better Points as a carbon reduction tool, which recommended a 12-month trial.

Better Points was established in 2010 to motivate people to manage their health at the same time as reducing their carbon footprint.

Results of the trial will be brought back to the environment board for analysis and discussion.