The Beat the Street Carrick game has launched with more than 2,240 participants signing up in its first week and together walking, cycling, and wheeling their way to more than 5,000 miles.
Beat the Street Carrick received an official launch last week at Culzean Primary School with pupils accompanied by Councillors William Grant, Bob Pollock and Brian Connolly, Sharon Dowey MSP, plus representatives from Play Scotland, Active Schools and Ayrshire Roads Alliance.
Beat the Street is a free, interactive active travel game that encourages local residents of all ages to walk, cycle and wheel for prizes; it started on Wednesday, 12th February and takes place for four weeks across the area until Wednesday, 12th March.
Residents may have seen beeping and flashing sensors called ‘Beat Boxes’ which have been placed on lampposts around the area to help participants explore and to encourage people to consider walking, cycling, running or wheeling those shorter journeys. To play, players need a card which can be collected from one of the distribution centres listed at www.beatthestreet.me/carrick or alternatively, players over the age of 13 can download the free Beat the Street app to play the game on their phone.
The first week of the game is themed ‘Go Play’ for players to get to grips with the rules and subsequent weeks have a different focus, Go Travel; to reward players for ditching the car during peak commuting hours; Go Wild, to help find the fantastic green spaces, waterways and parks around the area to help with positive mental health as well as physical wellbeing, and Go Celebrate to reward participants with double points for committing to the four week competition!
Beat the Street Carrick is being delivered by Intelligent Health on behalf of South Ayrshire Council through Culzean Primary School. The project is funded by Paths for All’s Community Project Transition Fund.
Councillor Bob Pollock, Depute Leader of South Ayrshire Council said:
“Beat the Street Carrick is already off to a great start! Thanks to everyone who has signed up so far and please keep encouraging your friends, family and neighbours to get involved and join your team! The competition gives everyone of all ages and abilities the opportunity to explore the area, to spend time together as a family and to enjoy walking, cycling and rolling outdoors.
Councillor William Grant, Education Portfolio Holder for the Council said:
”We often use the car without a second thought, but it’s often true that it is just as quick to walk or cycle to school and you can avoid the hassle of traffic and parking. Many previous Beat the Street participants have said that the game helped them discover shortcuts to school and that it helps families enjoy the walk or cycle to school together. Well done to everyone who has signed up – however, it’s still not too late to get involved!”
More information is available at www.beatthestreet.me/carrick and on social media at @BTSCarrick
