Sheffield is to be turned into a “giant game” as a free council initiative aims to get more families active this summer.
Beat The Street wants to encourage communities to “walk, cycle, run, scoot and roll” across the city between June 16 and July 28.
Lamp posts across Sheffield will have ‘Beat Boxes’ installed on them which players can scan to earn points.
Schools, community groups and businesses are encouraged to sign up and compete to earn the most points.
It is hoped this will encourage entire communities to become more active and inspire lasting behavioural change.
#BeattheStreet is coming to transform Sheffield into a giant game from 16 June – 28 July! Earn points as you walk, run, cycle, scoot or roll around the city. How far can you go? https://t.co/sHsbW2vNAN @movemoresheff @SheffCouncil @YorkshireSport @SheffChildrens @sheffhallamuni pic.twitter.com/P98gjtBKUF
— Beat the Street Sheffield (@BTSSheffield) March 31, 2021
Dr William Bird, CEO and founder of Intelligent Health who developed Beat the Street, said: “If we want to improve the health and wellbeing of the country we need to be ambitious, provide a clear narrative to get people active and support them on their journey.
“Physical activity has more health benefits than any other single intervention and is the means to a healthy community.”
Cllr Mary Lea, Sheffield City Council Cabinet member for Culture, Parks and Leisure stated the game will also encourage families to swap cars for greener forms of transport.
She said: “We need to make life easy for people to take up cycling, walking or using public transport and that can only be achieved incrementally.
“Through initiatives such as these we encourage people to walk and cycle more instead of using cars. It’s a great way of inspiring people to be healthy both in the short and long-term.”
