BetterPoints Sheffield is all about inspiring healthier journeys. Can you help to create a cleaner, greener city by travelling in ways that benefit the environment, your health and your community? Download the free app from the App Store or Google Play to earn BetterPoints which you can exchange for Sheffield Gift Cards, spend at participating local businesses, or donate to your favourite charity.
By signing up to BetterPoints Sheffield, you'll also be in with a chance of winning our national competitions, just like Giuliano did.
How Giuliano pedalled into a prize and a more Consistent Commute
Giuliano Punzo, a university academic and sustainability champion, pedalled his way to a brand-new Batribike in the BetterPoints Bike Week Challenge. Read more on how BetterPoints helped reinforce an already active lifestyle with positive behavioural nudges.
Giuliano is no stranger to sustainable travel. As an academic at the University of Sheffield's Faculty of Engineering, he also leads sustainability for his School and is a member of the university’s Transport Advisory Group, helping to make decisions around parking policy, infrastructure investment, and active travel across the institution.
Living five miles north of Sheffield, Giuliano often cycles to work but it wasn’t until he discovered the BetterPoints app through the university’s Step Up programme that he realised just how motivating rewards could be.
“I was already commuting by bike once or twice a week,” Giuliano explains, “but the app creates a kind of self-rewarding effect. You start tracking yourself, setting goals like: how many days can I cycle this week? Can I close that circle?”
The Bike Week Challenge encouraged users to earn extra BetterPoints for cycling local journeys of over half a mile. Even though Giuliano happened to be away on business for some of the week, his regular behaviour and luck in the draw landed him the grand prize: a brand new Batribike e-bike.
“It’s a really nice piece of kit. I was sceptical at first because the frame looked small but it fits me great. It’s actually helped me commit to cycling on days I might otherwise skip, like when I’m tired or unsure about my energy levels.”
Beyond the prize, Giuliano enjoys how the app helps him stay consistent with his active travel habits. He particularly values the weekly activity summaries, timely notifications, and the ability to turn everyday actions into meaningful rewards.
“It’s a simple, clever way to keep people motivated. Whether it's a free coffee or just seeing your progress build up week by week, those small things really do make a difference.”
Now with his new e-bike in regular use, Giuliano is a big advocate for BetterPoints, and for the power of positive reinforcement to support healthier, greener choices.
“The app, the challenge, the bike, it all just fits together really well. It’s a brilliant incentive to keep going and to encourage others too.”
Giuliano believes initiatives like BetterPoints play a key role in making sustainable travel easier and more appealing, especially when supported by secure bike parking and good infrastructure. As for the Batribike? It's now a permanent fixture of his commute.
“The extra push from the electric motor really helps on tough days. It was a great prize, and a great incentive.”
Thanks to our friends at Batribike, whose range of affordable, reliable and stylish e-bikes you can see here - and it's their Summer Sale too!
