Smarter Travel Workplaces around Ireland Walk the Walk
50 organisations across Ireland participated in the 2016 Step Challenge. The Step Challenge invites employees at workplaces that are partners of the Smarter Travel programme to join together in teams and count their steps for a four-week period. In addition to increasing activity levels, the Step Challenge helps create and a fun competitive environment within workplaces while supporting team building and boosting staff morale.
The Step Challenge is organised by the National Transport Authority in partnership with the Irish Heart Foundation. Anne Graham, Chief Executive of the National Transport Authority commented: “The Step Challenge continues to motivate employees of our Smarter Travel Workplaces partners to team up with their colleagues and participate in this annual walking challenge.
“During the event, walking becomes routine for participants and encourages them to consider replacing some of their car commutes with self-powered commuting. After the Step Challenge, participants report feeling better about themselves and plan to continue to be active.”
Teams from the ESB Group topped the Overall and the Deskbased Leaderboards. Congratulating the teams, Brian Gray from ESB said: “ESB’s participation in the Step Challenge is a great means to engage staff on the key topics of an active lifestyle and sustainable modes of transport. This year the 58 ESB teams involved definitely brought their competitive spirit to the Step Challenge.”
The Improvers’ Leaderboard was topped by a team from Clifton Scannell Emerson Associates.
The Best Workplace Awards went to Roscommon County Council and Clifton Scannell Emerson Associates as the workplaces with the highest percentage uptake among staff in the Step Challenge.
The Smarter Travel Workplaces Step Challenge, which is organised by the National Transport Authority ran for a four-week period and ended on October 9th 2016.
Notes:
The Smarter Travel Workplaces Programme is implemented by the National Transport Authority with funding from the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport. The programme is aimed at large employers (over 250 employees) seeking to develop Workplace Travel Plans. Workplace Travel Plans have been shown internationally to reduce single occupancy car use on the commute by between 10% and 24%. Workplace Travel Plans also reduce costs associated with parking, business travel, fleet, CO2 emissions, absenteeism, and access issues. Further information on the programme and Partners can be found at www.smartertravelworkplaces.ie