Challenge for the Beat generation

Beat the Street, which will take place from mid-April to late May, is a free, interactive challenge that encourages people of all ages to add physical activity into their daily lives by turning the area into a gaming zone for six weeks.

Players take part in their family groups or support bubbles and are encouraged to walk, cycle, run, wheel or scoot as far as possible within their local area, with prizes for the teams that clock up the highest number of miles.

Beeping and flashing sensors called Beat Boxes will be placed on lampposts for the duration of the six-week game — from Wednesday, April 14, until for six Wednesday, May 26.

When the game launches, players will be able to form virtual teams, then walk, run, scoot or cycle between the Beat Boxes, scoring points with their fobs or cards as they go. And the more Beat Boxes players check off, the more points they score for their community or school team.

Each week is themed with different activities to help participants get the most out of their Beat the Street experience.

Beat the Street has been played in more than 100 towns and cities across the UK and beyond.

When Barnsley played in 2019 where more than 25,000 people signed up and together travelled 144,810 miles.

The game has been since been adapted to ensure that it is safe to play during the Covid-19 pandemic and has been approved by Public Health England.

The sensors have been adapted to make them more sensitive so that players don’t need to touch them. Instead, they can hover their card or fob near the sensor and it will register the swipe.

Further measures will also be put in place, such as temporary pavement markings to remind players about social distancing.

Rotherham Council’s cabinet member for public health, Cllr David Roche, said: “We are delighted to bring this innovative and compelling game to Rotherham and we can’t wait to see how far everyone is able to walk, run, cycle, roll and scoot as part of their daily exercise during the Beat the Street challenge.

“We know that lockdown has impacted on people’s activity levels and Beat the Street gives a safe and stimulating way for young people and families to get out and get active with a purpose.

“It’s clear that now, more than ever, it is vitally important to ensure that we adopt healthy lifestyle habits around incorporating physical activity into our days and trying to travel in more active ways by walking or cycling.”

Primary school pupils will receive a Beat the Street pack via school containing a fob, a card for an adult to play, and a map. Everyone else can pick up a card from one of the distribution centres to be listed at www.beatthestreet.me/rotherham.