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FAQs

Here you will find answers to common questions about the challenge. Still having trouble? You can get in touch with us here: challenge@sustrans.org.uk

What is the Challenge?

The Bristol Active October Challenge is a competition encouraging individuals and workplaces; community groups; or organisations [we will refer to all of these as 'workplaces'] to walk, cycle and use public transport more in Bristol.

When is the challenge?

The Active October Challenge will take place from 1 October - 31 October 2022.

How should I travel during the ongoing Coronavirus pandemic?

The UK Government The government has removed all remaining Covid-19 domestic travel restrictions in England.

What counts as a "journey"?

Any journey that is to work, for work, to your local shops or leisure activity as well as the school run, or your daily exercise if working from home, all count. You can find the full list of travel modes on the homepage.

If your travel mode is not listed on the homepage, get in touch and we may be able to add it for you challenge@sustrans.org.uk.

I'm working from home, can I still take part?

If you are working from home, we still want you to take part. You can log all the exercise you are doing to get outdoors and get active this October.

When logging your journey, under the third drop down, 'What is the purpose of your journey?' select Daily Exercise, and your extra lunchtime walks, runs or cycles will be added to your totals.

This same box gives you the option to log your active trips to the shops, school run, or leisure activities, so you can challenge yourself to get more active with some of the other journeys you are making.

If the Challenge has already started. Can I still join?

Absolutely! You can sign up at any point during the challenge.

It's too far for me to walk or cycle to where I want to go!

You may be surprised how far you can comfortably cycle. Commutes of five miles or more are perfectly manageable, even for relatively inexperienced cyclists.

If the trip still seems daunting, why not compromise by walking or cycling to a bus stop or train station? This is a great way of incorporating some active travel into your daily commute.

What does the challenge hope to achieve?

The challenge aims to encourage people to walk and cycle more and to use public transport for the benefit of their health and the environment.

Does a short walk or cycle ride really make any difference?

Making just one short journey on foot or by bike can save around 2kg of carbon compared to driving. There are also significant health benefits, and these will increase if journeys are made regularly.

Why are electric vehicles not included as a category?

In this particular challenge we are focusing on reducing the level of single occupancy car trips. Whilst it's great that electric vehicles reduce emissions, they don't have the benefits to health and congestion that other forms of sustainable travel do.

Car-sharing or taking the bus, for example, would benefit both emission levels and congestion.

If you are using your electric car as a car-share please log these journeys.

How do I edit my profile?

Just go to your profile page and then scroll down to the bottom. You'll see your contact details and an 'edit details' button (no-one else will be able to see this and you'll need to be logged in for it to work). Click and you'll be able to edit your contact details.

How do I edit my journeys?

If you need to edit any of your journeys click on the 'view journeys' button which you'll find under the journey totals of your profile.

Do I have to be part of a workplace to take part?

No. You can take part as an individual.

How do I set up my workplace?

After registering, you will be taken to a page where you can join or create your workplace. If you create a workplace you automatically become the captain (although this can be changed very simply to another person at a later date) and the workplace will be recorded on the platform for colleagues to also sign up to.

- Go to the Homepage and select Me at the top of the page. Then,

- Select Personal Profile

- Select Edit Details (this is at the very bottom of the page)

- Select Register with a workplace

You can then join one of the registered workplaces on the drop down, or click on ‘Create a new workplace’ to register your workplace.

Once registered everyone can follow the same path to add teams under this one workplace; change their team; or register for a different workplace.

Please contact challenge@sustrans.org.uk if you need any help with this.

I selected the wrong workplace when I registered. How do I change it?

Go to your profile page and then scroll down to the bottom. You'll see your contact details and an 'edit details' button (no-one else will be able to see this and you'll need to be logged in for it to work). Click on this and you'll be able to select a different workplace to join.

I don't seem to be part of a workplace with my colleagues. How do I join my workplace?

If you registered but didn't click the 'join workplace/team' button then you'll need to edit your profile and try to join the workplace again.

To do this, go to your profile page and then scroll down to the bottom. You'll see your contact details and an 'edit details' button. Click on this and you'll be able to select your workplace and /or team within your workplace to join.

If your workplace isn't registered you'll also be able to register it here.

How do I amend my workplace profile?

If you set up the workplace originally you will have admin rights for the workplace profile page.

If you are the workplace administrator:

Log in and then go to your workplace profile page. If you scroll down to the bottom of the profile page you'll see the 'edit details' button. Click on this and you'll get the option to edit workplace details (including adding or amending teams).

You can find more workplace details by clicking the 'more details' button. This will enable you to see who has registered for the workplace and to get their contact details if you need to contact them.

If you are not the workplace administrator:

Scroll down to the bottom of the workplace profile page and you'll see the name of the person who has this role.

How do I find out who is my workplace administrator?

Scroll to the bottom of your workplace profile page and you'll see the name of your workplace administrator.

How do I email everyone in my workplace or edit my workplace profile to add new departments?

This is something that you'll need your workplace administrator to do for you. They'll be able to access all of the workplace members' email addresses and add departments by editing the workplace details.

Can we keep an eye on our competitors? We'd like to do better than them.

Yes you can. We call this Nemesis Challenge.

You'll need your workplace administrator to set this up for you but it is very straightforward.

1. Ask your workplace administrator to log-in.
2. Go the profile page of the workplace you want to 'watch' (find all competing organisations on the leader boards on the results pages).
3. Just underneath the workplace name click the 'Watch this workplace' button.

Now go back to your own workplace profile and you'll see a section showing the workplaces you are watching. You'll see how they are doing and how far ahead or behind them you are.

What type of bike should I buy?

Road bikes are fast and light, but new riders can sometimes find the seating position restrictive. A mountain bike may be sturdier and has a more sit-up-and-beg riding position, but be sure to put on slick tyres if you're riding on the road! A hybrid is a compromise between the two - a lightweight frame but an upright riding position.

Folding bikes are increasingly popular, and modern versions are comfortable and efficient. Electrically assisted bikes take a good chunk of the effort out of even the longest commuting trips.

What should I wear for cycling?

Wear whatever you want, as long as you're comfortable. Contrary to popular belief, head to toe lycra is not a requirement for travelling by bike.

I need to take the kids to school!

Nearly 50% of children would like to cycle to school, but only 4% do. If your kids are old enough, why not try out walking or cycling together?

You could even contact other parents and organise a walking or cycling train. If they're too little, there's a great range of child seats and trailers available for most requirements.

Can I count the miles I pedal on an exercise bike?

No, we're afraid not. Besides the fact that that isn't actually a journey, we want you to get out and about as well to see just how easy it is to get to actual places by bike! Bikes bolted to the floor don't count.

Can I count jogging or running journeys?

Yes. You can log running /jogging journeys.

How do I win?

There are prizes for the winning workplace in each size category, and prizes for individuals.

The winning workplace in each size category is judged by the overall rate of participation, so you must encourage your colleagues and friends in your workplace to get involved if you want to win the competition!

In the event of a draw, the winning workplace will be the one logging the greatest number of journeys proportional to the number of people in the workplace.

We rank the individual leader board by the number of journeys you complete rather than by the distance you've travelled or the type of travel mode you used. This means that those completing multi-modal journeys will climb the leaderboard more quickly.

We'll be giving out spot-prizes along the way for taking part, so if you log just one journey you're in with a chance of winning some great prizes even if you're not at the top of the leader board!

How are the carbon, calorie and cost savings calculated?

Carbon calculations are based on data from the UK Government GHG Conversion Factors report 2019 [Greenhouse gas reporting: conversion factors 2019.]

Calories burnt and cost savings are all based on industry practice and data, while car cost calculations are based on RAC Motoring Services data. These figures assume running an average sized car, with 10,000 average annual mileage and an average fuel price from when the figures were calculated.

What will you do with the results?

Overall results will be used to demonstrate the impacts of the challenge with our partners, to inform future initiatives and to promote the benefits of more active travel. We won't share any of your personal data with anyone outside of Sustrans.

Why are you talking about doughnuts?

We use doughnuts to talk about calories. This is not because we want you to eat more of them, but because doughnuts are easy to visualise, and help to demonstrate how many calories you've burnt with all your hard efforts. Well done you!

Where can I get a good flapjack recipe?

250g Porridge Oats
125g Butter or alternative spread (melted)
125g Brown Sugar
2-3 tbsps Golden Syrup (depends how gooey you want it)

Mix all the ingredients together and press into a lightly greased baking tin.
Place in the oven and bake on 180 until golden brown (about 20 minutes).

How do I contact the challenge organisers?

If you have any questions about the Bristol Active October Challenge, please contact:

challenge@sustrans.org.uk

I would be interested in a bespoke challenge for my workplace. Is this an option?

Yes we can offer a more bespoke challenge - please contact the Challenge organisers to discuss your needs:

challenge@sustrans.org.uk