Do you ever think of leaving the car at home and making your way into work on foot or by bicycle?

You know it’s healthier and better for the environment but perhaps you just need a little motivation?

Would you avoid the car if it meant you could win a prize?

Cheshire West and Chester Council has launched a Workplace Challenge this week which aims to motivate us all to move.

Encouraging businesses and individuals to change the way they travel, it’s a four week challenge to encourage participants to log their sustainable journeys online.

Whether it’s your daily commute, a trip to the local shops or a school run, you can take part and all journeys which involve walking, cycling or using public transport count towards the challenge.

Individuals and organisations are being asked to sign up to the challenge through the www.itravelsmarter.co.uk website where you will find running and cycling tips, a journey planner and a handy weather forecast to guide you through the four-week initiative.

Each time a participant logs a journey, online or via the Stravel app, several factors are recorded - the number of miles travelled, CO2 saved, calories burnt and money saved.

This is then added to your personal or company ‘dashboard’ and updated with each journey logged.

Workplaces that encourage the most number of people to take part in the challenge and individuals who log at least one qualifying journey will be in the running for rewards. Spot prizes will be given away every Friday to the highest achievers and a main prize draw of a GT Avalanche 3.0 Bike and accessories, worth over �500, will also be up for grabs.

Once you have started logging journeys, workplaces of a similar size and individuals can compete with others in the area and collect Stravel points based on the amount of miles accumulated on an individual account.

These points can be redeemed for high street vouchers at numerous retail outlets including Raleigh, Domino’s, Go Ape! and I Want One Of Those.

Cheshire West and Chester Council’s executive member for localities, Cllr Lynn Riley, said: “This initiative will remind people how much fun you can have cycling and how we can all benefit from giving the car a break and using public transport.

“It doesn’t matter if you are a budding Bradley Wiggins or have never got on a bike; we want to see participants enjoying the challenge and its rewards. It’s a fantastic opportunity for businesses to get employees active in a fun and exciting way.”

As well as information provided on the site, those taking part will be provided with access maps, timetables and travel advice to help plan their journeys.

Free cycle training and maintenance classes will also be available on request.

If you’d like to sign up to the scheme or find out more information, please visit www.itravelsmarter.co.uk .

The Workplace Challenge started on September 16 and runs until October 11.

After the challenge has been completed there will be a prize-giving event hosted by a special guest in order to celebrate the efforts and support from all participants.

To find out more information, visit www.itravelsmarter.co.uk .