Beat the Street is back

Beat the Street has officially returned. Starting today, participants can scan beat boxes across our borough. The game will be open until Friday 23 July, and kicked off with an official launch today at Barnsley Town Hall. 

In previous years, Beat the Street has encouraged more than 22,000 people to get more active and improve their physical activity levels. Players in our last game also clocked up an active travel mileage of 161,044 miles.

Beat the Street is co-ordinated by the Sport and Physical Activity Team at Barnsley Council as part of our ongoing work to encourage children and adults in our borough to move more. 

The game is open to anyone of any age who would like to take part. Players can use a card and map or the free app for players aged 13+. Players can join a school, community, workplace team and there are prizes on offer. With an individual leaderboard, lucky ‘spot’ prizes just for taking part, and a total and average points leaderboard, there is the opportunity for teams of sizes to win.

As with previous games, special sensors called Beat Boxes will be placed on lampposts around the borough. Participating primary schools will receive cards and maps, plus the wider community can pick up their free card from a distribution point listed on the Beat the Street website. 

Distribution points include local libraries and museums, as well as the Glassworks reception. Participants score points by walking, cycling, scooting and running between the Beat Boxes to score points for their school or workplace teams.

Cllr James Higginbottom, Cabinet Spokesperson for Environment and Highways said: “Beat the Street encourages communities to move more and to make small lifestyle changes, such as walking or cycling to school or work every day. 

“The competitive element of the game helps people to get involved, go one step further, and work together to walk, cycle, run and scoot for points. 

“I’d encourage everyone to get signed up and tell their friends, colleagues, family and neighbours this summer.”

Ed Clancy, South Yorkshire’s Active Travel Commissioner, OBE said: “Beat the Street is a brilliant way to get people moving more and differently - getting kids, families and friends out and about together and active.

“It’s the perfect way to help everyone give the freedom and fun of walking, wheeling and cycling a go on everyday journeys, like the school run, going to the park or visiting new places.

⁠"The huge benefits of Beat the Street and activities like it are right at the heart of our vision for a healthier, happier South Yorkshire—focused on neighbourhoods, opportunity, and giving kids the best start in life.”