A pioneering game is set to get Middlesbrough moving when it launches next week.
Beat the Street aims to help people of all ages improve their health and wellbeing by making small changes such as walking or cycling to school every day.
Using a fob or game card, players must find their nearest ‘Beat Box' which will appear on lampposts around Middlesbrough.
Sensors beep and flash to record points - the first visit registers the journey, with players then walking, cycling or rolling to the next Beat Box within an hour to score 10 points.
Leaderboards make for healthy competition within schools, workplaces, communities and charity teams, with those clocking up the highest number of active travel miles winning vouchers for books or sports equipment, as well as ‘lucky tap' prizes for individuals just for taking part!
Schools will begin to distribute materials from Thursday, September 23. From the same date cards can also be collected from community hubs and libraries across Middlesbrough
Across the UK and beyond more than a 1.4 million people and 4,000 schools in over 120 locations have already signed up, with countless more set to follow.
As well as encouraging people to get active, Beat the Street has been shown to help with mental health too, as well as encouraging community engagement and reducing car-dependency.
Middlesbrough Mayor Andy Preston said: "It's fantastic to bring Beat the Street to Middlesbrough.
"Anything that encourages people to get active and look after their physical and mental health gets a big tick in my book.
"I was really impressed by the presentation I had on the concept and Council officers have worked hard to bring it here.
"Middlesbrough is a great place to explore on foot and this game will encourage people to get out and about in a safe way.
"The game is free and open to all, regardless of age and ability. I'm sure people will have lots of fun."
Dr William Bird, GP and CEO of Intelligent Health Ltd who developed the Beat the Street concept, said: "We are thrilled to be able to continue to work in partnership with Sport England to understand how we can support partners to build active communities and grow the evidence base on how to tackle health inequalities through physical activity.
"We've learnt so much and excited to work with Sport England to defeat the epidemic of inactivity."
Mike Diaper, Executive Director for Children, Young People and Tackling Inactivity at Sport England, said: "After a difficult 16 months, getting active in a way that is both safe and fun has never been more important.
"As part of our Covid-19 response work to help people stay active during the pandemic, we're delighted to boost the reach of Beat the Street, helping people to get out and explore their towns and cities on foot and by bike."
Beat the Street aims to help people of all ages improve their health and wellbeing by making small changes such as walking or cycling to school every day.
Using a fob or game card, players must find their nearest ‘Beat Box' which will appear on lampposts around Middlesbrough.
Sensors beep and flash to record points - the first visit registers the journey, with players then walking, cycling or rolling to the next Beat Box within an hour to score 10 points.
Leaderboards make for healthy competition within schools, workplaces, communities and charity teams, with those clocking up the highest number of active travel miles winning vouchers for books or sports equipment, as well as ‘lucky tap' prizes for individuals just for taking part!
Schools will begin to distribute materials from Thursday, September 23. From the same date cards can also be collected from community hubs and libraries across Middlesbrough
Across the UK and beyond more than a 1.4 million people and 4,000 schools in over 120 locations have already signed up, with countless more set to follow.
As well as encouraging people to get active, Beat the Street has been shown to help with mental health too, as well as encouraging community engagement and reducing car-dependency.
Middlesbrough Mayor Andy Preston said: "It's fantastic to bring Beat the Street to Middlesbrough.
"Anything that encourages people to get active and look after their physical and mental health gets a big tick in my book.
"I was really impressed by the presentation I had on the concept and Council officers have worked hard to bring it here.
"Middlesbrough is a great place to explore on foot and this game will encourage people to get out and about in a safe way.
"The game is free and open to all, regardless of age and ability. I'm sure people will have lots of fun."
Dr William Bird, GP and CEO of Intelligent Health Ltd who developed the Beat the Street concept, said: "We are thrilled to be able to continue to work in partnership with Sport England to understand how we can support partners to build active communities and grow the evidence base on how to tackle health inequalities through physical activity.
"We've learnt so much and excited to work with Sport England to defeat the epidemic of inactivity."
Mike Diaper, Executive Director for Children, Young People and Tackling Inactivity at Sport England, said: "After a difficult 16 months, getting active in a way that is both safe and fun has never been more important.
"As part of our Covid-19 response work to help people stay active during the pandemic, we're delighted to boost the reach of Beat the Street, helping people to get out and explore their towns and cities on foot and by bike."
- Beat the Street Middlesbrough is open to anyone of any age who would like to take part and is been led locally by Middlesbrough Council, with funding from the National Lottery via Sport England. It is delivered by Intelligent Health.