Beat the Street game rolls out across Falkirk area

The Beat the Street Forth and Clyde physical activity game was officially launched at The Falkirk Wheel last week by the Central Canals Development Project, with 1062 players already signed up and 1600 miles travelled.

The initiative began last Wednesday across Bonnybridge, Camelon and Kilsyth in North Lanarkshire and will continue for four weeks.

The interactive game is open to anyone of any age and involves 30 beeping and flashing sensors called Beat Boxes placed around half a mile apart.

Participants can pick up a card from one of the distribution centres and then walk, roll, scoot, cycle or run between the Beat Boxes to score points.

The farther players travel, the more points they score for their community or school team. Each week is ‘Go’ themed (Go Play, Go Explore, Go Travel and Go Wild) with different activities to help participants get the most out of their Beat the Street experience.

As well as the chance to win prizes, the game has been adapted to reward players for their personal achievements.

It has also been adjusted to ensure it is completely safe to play amid pandemic protocols.

The changes to the game mean players do not need to touch a Beat Box and can instead hover their card or fob near the sensor to register a swipe.

Further measures such as regular sanitisation of Beat Boxes and temporary pavement markings are also in place.

Beat the Street is being delivered by Intelligent Health on behalf of the Central Canals Development Project and is funded by the Kelvin Valley, Falkirk LEADER Programme and Paths for All's Smarter Choices, Smarter Places Open Fund.

Michael Matheson, Falkirk West MSP, said: “I am delighted to support the Beat the Street programme which encourages people to ditch the car and enjoy all of the benefits of active travel.

“Beat the Street is a positive and community-focused way of encouraging people to get more active by walking, cycling, rolling and wheeling around this beautiful area, plus it’s more important than ever to get as fit and healthy as possible while we fight the threat of Covid-19.”

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