Allstate NI has won the Sustrans UK wide Big Cycle and Walk Challenge for 2012. Allstate NI clocked up more than 10,000 miles in 2897 journeys to work by foot or bike. The team burnt nearly 600,000 combined calories and saved £2489 in travel costs.
Participants in Sustrans Big Cycle and Walk Challenge across the UK travelled a combined 133,993 miles—more than five times around the world—by getting workplaces and communities walking and cycling more.
More than 2000 individuals and 50 groups competed to clock up the most cycling and walking miles during June, with Allstate in Belfast Derry/Londonderry and Strabane the winner of the 500+ staff member category.
Throughout the challenge participants were able to access feedback on how many calories they'd burnt and the amount of money they'd saved on each journey by choosing healthy, green and cheap alternatives to driving.
Sustrans Northern Ireland Director, Steven Patterson said:
"I would like to congratulate Allstate NI for clocking up such a huge number of miles for the Big Cycle and Walk Challenge. It has been a fantastic opportunity for participants to improve their health, increase their wealth, and reclaim rush hour."
Brian Campbell, coordinator of the challenge at Allstate NI said,
"Over 150 employees recorded their walking and cycling journeys for a month, covering thousands of miles and burning off thousands of calories as a result. Through a massive effort by the Allstate NI participants, we managed to win our category in this UK-wide challenge, beating many other large companies and organisations across the UK."
Bro McFerran, Managing Director at Allstate NI said:
"This is a great initiative by Sustrans and we are delighted to support it. We already encourage our employees to travel to work via more sustainable forms of transport through our Cycle to Work scheme, TaxSmart Bus Pass Scheme, interest free loans for train passes as well as providing a Bicycle Cage on site to house over 60 bikes securely. Not only does this save employees money and help the environment but it also contributes greatly to the health and wellbeing of our employees so it makes complete business sense."