Staff and students at the University of Sheffield have logged more than 2.19 million active and sustainable journeys through the Step Up Sheffield programme over the last year. The initiative's BetterPoints community has now grown to 10,000 registered users, marking its most successful period to date for recorded journeys and estimated carbon savings.
Between July 2025 and June 2026, participants used the BetterPoints app to record 2.19 million journeys via walking, wheeling, running, cycling, and public transport. Approximately 1.46 million of these journeys are believed to have replaced car trips, resulting in an estimated avoidance of 563 tonnes of CO2.
The programme saw a significant increase in participation, adding over 1,300 new members during the year, bringing registrations to 9,668 by the end of June. This momentum has continued into the current academic year, with Step Up Sheffield welcoming its 10,000th member last week.
Evidence suggests that participation is influencing travel habits. Among those who completed surveys at the start and end of the year, 78% of participants who previously drove to the University reported driving less often. Furthermore, 14% reported walking to campus more frequently, while 11% increased their bus travel and another 11% cycled more.
“"I used to get a lift to work every day until I started this app. Now I walk everywhere... I feel a lot healthier... It’s actually changed my life and I enjoy walking now."
Launched in 2019, Step Up Sheffield rewards members of the University community for choosing active and sustainable travel options. Participants earn BetterPoints for eligible journeys, which can be redeemed for rewards such as food and drink at University and Students’ Union outlets.
James Merryclough, Sustainability Programme Lead at the University of Sheffield, commented on the achievement: “BetterPoints is about making it easier and more rewarding for people to choose active and sustainable ways to travel. Every journey that shifts away from a car helps us reduce carbon emissions, but the benefits go much wider than that - fewer cars on the road means less congestion and better local air quality, while walking and cycling can support people’s health and wellbeing too.”
He added: “Reaching 10,000 users shows what can happen when lots of people make small changes. We want to keep building that community and give staff and students another reason to try a different way of getting to campus.”
The programme aligns with the University’s broader objectives to minimise the environmental impact of commuting, as outlined in its Commuter Travel Plan, which advocates for incentives and behaviour change initiatives to promote active and sustainable travel as an accessible daily choice.
To commemorate reaching the 10,000-user milestone, the 10,000th member to join Step Up Sheffield has been awarded 10,000 BetterPoints. Further celebrations include ten weekly prize draws over the next ten weeks, each offering 10,000 BetterPoints to ten additional winners.
The campaign will conclude at the beginning of December with a special GeniUS prize draw featuring prizes of £200, two £100 prizes, and five £20 prizes. This term, staff and students are also encouraged to form Step Up teams and invite colleagues and friends to join via the 'Refer a Friend' scheme.
Building on the success of team challenges piloted in 2025/26, such as the 348-participant Black, Gold & Green Sustainable Sports Cup and the staff Step Up Cup, the focus for the new academic year is on community growth. The aim is to encourage more staff and students to collaborate, build teams, and support each other in adopting more sustainable travel methods.
Existing BetterPoints users are encouraged to use 'Refer a Friend' to recruit new members. New users can download the BetterPoints app, register with their University email address, and begin earning rewards for their journeys.
