Dad ditches car after signing up for Renfrewshire Council campaign

Stephen Dock signed up for the council’s Not Far? Leave the Car campaign so he could get healthier, but he claims it has transformed his life that much he has now got rid of his car.

He said: “I had thought about using my bike to commute to work and had done it a few times over the winter.

“I then came across the campaign on social media and thought I should make a more concerted attempt at doing it because of the health benefits.

“After four weeks of this, I had went from using my car daily to once per week."

Stephen continued to say: “It was then I decided to ditch the car altogether. The end result is now that I have sold my car and now only use my bike and public transport.

“I think I have now made the leap and changed my behaviours for good. The fact that I no longer have the car has opened my eyes to how easy it is to still get through my week without it but to also have the added benefit of saving money, getting healthy, being a role model to my sons and helping the environment.

“I don’t see me reverting back anytime soon.”

The campaign aims to reward physical activity and encourage people to leave their cars at home.

During its first year, more than 1,100 people took part in the scheme, with participants making more than 333,000 journeys on foot, by bike, or by public transport, with more than 238,000 of these replacing travelling on their own in a car.

Participants who took part in the scheme earned a “BetterPoint” for every minute of walking, wheeling, cycling, or running per day – up to 60 points – and could collect 15 points for up to four public transport journeys every day.

The points could then be exchanged for discounts and money off at more than 100 local businesses. 

As the council works towards becoming net zero by 2030, the campaign has helped save 79 tonnes of carbon emissions.

Cllr Michelle Campbell (Image: Supplied)

Councillor Michelle Campbell, Convener of Renfrewshire Council’s Infrastructure, Land and Environment Policy Board, said: “Leaving the car at home for short journeys and stepping out of that convenience is so important as we try to encourage people to live healthier lifestyles and make smarter choices.

“This campaign has been hugely successful in supporting people to leave the car at home and stopping 238,000 car journeys is a great step forward as we aim to reduce our carbon emissions and work towards becoming net zero by 2030.

“With 75% of people taking part saying they are more likely to walk or cycle now, it’s a great outcome and I would encourage anyone to sign up and take part if they aren’t already.”

The project has been funded by the Scottish Government’s Air Quality Fund and its Smarter Choices, Smart Places Fund.