Beat the Street sets sights on more active community
A POPULAR interactive game that helps whole communities get active is set to launch in Llanelli this autumn.
Beat the Street was created by GP Dr William Bird to encourage people to explore their local areas by walking and cycling as part of a fun competition.
The game has been played by more than 1.5m people in more than 120 locations in the UK and beyond and is designed to get communities moving by helping people to make small changes, such as walking or cycling to school every day.
Beat the Street not only has a significant impact on increasing low levels of physical activity amongst adults and children, but also helps reduce congestion, improves air quality, and helps families spend time in green spaces together.
The game is open to anyone of any age who would like to take part and takes place across the whole of Llanelli from Wednesday, September 28 to Wednesday, November 9.
To get involved, children use a card and map which will be provided by participating primary schools, and adults can pick up a free card from one of the distribution points listed on the Beat the Street Llanelli website.
Players then find their nearest ‘Beat Box’ which will appear on lamp posts around Llanelli.
These sensors have been adapted to make them more sensitive so that you don’t need to touch them - simply hover your card over the Beat Box and it will beep and flash to record your points.
There will be 59 of these around the area which you can find on the Beat the Street map.
Your first visit to a Beat Box registers the journey; then walk, cycle or roll to the next Beat Box within an hour to score 10 points.
Beat the Street Llanelli is being provided by Intelligent Health and was commissioned by Carmarthenshire Council with supported from Sport Wales.
The council’s cabinet member for regeneration, leisure culture and tourism Cllr Gareth John, said: “We are incredibly excited to be bringing Beat the Street to Llanelli.
“It’s free to take part in and open to everyone regardless of age or, ability.
“It’s an inclusive game that encourages you to exercise from your front door and to clock up the miles within the game framework.
“Not only does the game help people to get active, it’s beneficial to the whole community too.
“Previous games across the UK, including games in the Rhondda Valley in 2016 and 2017, have shown that the game helps reduce the area’s carbon footprint, helps people get active which in turn improves both mental and physical health, plus also helps to connect participants with the local community.”
More information will be available on www.beatthestreet.me/llanelli and on social media at @ BTSLlanelli