Beat the Street helps get East Kilbride healthy

An initiative to encourage cleaner air, more active travel and healthier lifestyles in East Kilbride was a resounding success according to a new report!

Article Source: Beat The Street
Last Updated: 23 June 2020 15:51

The Beat the Street game took place in East Kilbride saw more than 12,000 people walking, running, rolling, scooting and cycling more than 124,000 miles during February and March despite having to be cut shorter than its scheduled six weeks due to the outbreak of Coronavirus.

Participants scored points for their school or workplace teams by walking, cycling and running between special sensors called Beat Boxes that had been placed on lampposts around the town.

Now a report produced by Intelligent Health, the company that delivers Beat the Street across the UK, has shown that players became more physically active as a result of taking part, helping to improve their health.

Delivered by Intelligent Health on behalf of South Lanarkshire Council, Paths for All’s Smarter Choices, Smarter Places programme, and the Scottish Government, Beat the Street East Kilbride set out to improve air quality, increase active travel and improve health and wellbeing amongst residents by increasing physical activity.

Prior to the game, steering group meetings were held with relevant local people to draw on their knowledge of air quality, cycling, volunteering, health, education, leisure and culture, the community and nature.

The steering groups shaped the programme to be relevant to East Kilbride as well as contributing towards the development of in-game events, choosing local centres to support and helping to raise awareness of Beat the Street across the town.

A total of 12,066 adults and children - 17% of the population - took part in Beat the Street, including 26 community teams, workplaces and sports clubs. Prior to the game, 21% of adults reported themselves as being inactive (that is, did no physical activity a week or on one day) and only 14% of young people met the Chief Medical Officer’s physical activity guidelines of 60 minutes or more of physical activity per day for children.

The report into the East Kilbride programme showed:
• a 13 per cent decrease in adult inactivity;
• a 28% increase in adults getting active (achieving the Chief Medical Officer’s recommendation of 150 minutes or more of physical activity per week for adults)
• an 8% increase in cycling;
• a 15% increase in children getting more active (achieving the Chief Medical Officer’s recommendation of 60 minutes or more of physical activity per day for children).

In addition, data collected during the game pointed towards a strong increase in active travel, with 26% of all taps recorded throughout the initiative being made during commuting hours, and with the Beat Boxes outside train stations proving the most popular.

Feedback from participants was extremely positive about the motivational aspects of the game.

One respondent wrote: “It helped me to get outside and it motivated me for the rest of the day.”

Another said: “It made me more motivated to go on walks to get more points - I noticed that I made more effort to walk places so I could get points, instead of just taking a bus or car.

“It helped me because it got me more exercise during quarantine, so I am getting fitter and fitter.”

The feedback also reported the positive impact the game had made on families spending time getting active together.

There were prizes for the teams that travelled the furthest, and a donation of £500 was made to Kilbryde Hospice when the mileage rose above 100,000 miles.

The Chair of South Lanarkshire Council’s Community and Enterprise Resources Committee, Councillor John Anderson, said: “Physical inactivity is the fourth leading cause of premature deaths in the UK. Building walking or cycling into daily routines such as active travel is an effective way to increase physical activity and the game has really motivated people to do that.”

A six-month follow-up survey will be sent out to Beat the Street players in August, which will look at long-term behaviour change.

The organisers of the Beat the Street game have also temporarily set up a campaign called Beat the Bug with a weekly newsletter encouraging people to continue to stay healthy and active during lockdown.

Got a story to share? Send us an email at hello[@]whatsonnetwork.co.uk

Latest Lanarkshire News

Brand new craft event encourages mindfulness, creativity and relaxation

Dobbies Garden Centres is inviting customers along to an afternoon of creativity, connection, and cake this January, with a brand-new Crafternoon Tea Club.

Christmas has come early! Glasgow youngster wins the entire DreamToys list in national competition

One very lucky youngster from Glasgow has been crowned the winner of an incredible festive giveaway – taking home all 15 toys featured on this year's coveted DreamToys list.

Christmas has arrived in Glasgow, The IRN BRU Carnival returns for its 106th year

Europe's largest indoor fun fair, The IRN-BRU Carnival, has opened to the public at Glasgow's SEC with its greatest show to date!

Make a date with Destination Christmas

Looking to entertain the children with schools closing for Christmas? There's time to catch the last few days of Destination Christmas, a family festive spectacular at M&D's Scotland's Theme Park.

DF Concerts & Events launches The DF Academy

DF Concerts launches the DF Academy to strengthen pathways between education and Scotland's live music & events industry.

Win your way to the IRN BRU Carnival

The Duck Hunt is back bigger and better with over 150 ducks hidden across Glasgow and beyond!

DF Concerts & Events celebrates a year of sustainable and inclusive events

DF Concerts & Events is celebrating the success of their sustainability initiatives delivered across their major summer events in 2025.

Step into Christmas at Dalmeny Park with special festive menus and afternoon teas this December

Dalmeny Park is pulling out all the stops to make this festive season truly magical, unveiling its 2025 festive dining menus and afternoon teas available until 23rd December.

Scottish jazz talent in tune as award winners unveiled

The Scottish Jazz Awards 2025 celebrated the cream of the crop in the jazz scene on Sunday night, honouring outstanding artists and contributors at a memorable ceremony in Glasgow.

Anna Campbell Jones launches small batch Scottish botanical rum distilled in Glasgow

Interior designer, BBC Scotland's Home of the Year judge and entrepreneur Anna Campbell-Jones has released her first spirit.

Caledonia Gladiators launches most exclusive seat in Scottish sport in aid of GCH Charity

Scotland's basketball franchise Caledonia Gladiators has launched a unique new VIP experience – thought to be the most exclusive sporting seat in the country – in aid of charity.

Family run Jackton Distillery unveils bumper festive programme for 2025

Jackton Distillery, the family run Lowland distillery behind the RAER whisky, spirits and wine portfolio, has announced a packed Christmas calendar for December 2025.

Name the Loganair Christmas puffin and win a family adventure

Loganair, the UK’s leading regional airline, has launched a new festive competition to name the puffin starring in its emotional Christmas advert.

Festive fun on the farm at the National Museum of Rural Life

Celebrate the season with festive fun for the whole family at the National Museum of Rural Life.

Loch Lomond Shores Christmas Festival is a Christmas cracker this year!

A family rollercoaster, giant snow globe, rides, stalls, street food and live entertainment makes Loch Lomond Shores FREE Christmas festival the perfect Christmas day out for all the family!

Zizzi celebrates a fresh era with a new menu and app, by giving 132 people free pasta for one year

Zizzi has introduced a new food & drink menu across all its restaurants, launched a brand-new Zizzi app, and is giving 132 people free pasta for one year.

Festive Season at Marine & Lawn Hotels & Resorts Collection

Marine & Lawn Hotels & Resorts Collection have launched some new offerings designed for memorable Christmas stays, spectacular Hogmanay celebrations, and cozy winter escapes.

Second year of Urban Forestry Programme opens across Scotland

Community groups, organisations and schools across Scotland are being invited to apply for grants of up to £100,000.

Find a festive backdrop in Glasgow and the West

From frosty gardens to cosy tearooms, National Trust for Scotland places in Glasgow and the West are offering a host of winter experiences and special events this festive season.

The Wizard Wae The Big Bawz: New adult panto brings comedy to Scotland in January

January needn't be a drag as Scotland's brand-new adult panto, The Wizard Wae The Big Bawz, hits the road, arriving just when the country needs a burst of joy!

Topgolf celebrating 25 years of fun with a week of deals and prizes

Topgolf's journey started in Watford at the turn of the millennium and has since grown into a global enterprise with more than 100 venues worldwide.

The Doddie Weir match ball delivery is voted Greatest Murrayfield Moment

Doddie Weir’s emotional match ball delivery at Murrayfield in 2017 has been voted the greatest moment in the stadium’s 100-year history, after thousands of fans took part in a nationwide poll.

Much loved classic Scottish play, The Steamie, is set to return to venues in 2026

The Steamie has been scrubbed up ahead of making a return to theatres across the country next year as part of an exciting new chapter in its long-standing story in the theatre landscape.

Medea to tour Scotland in 2026

Bard in the Botanics will be launching their 25th Anniversary year with a Scotland-wide tour of their award-winning version of Medea, by Kathy McKean (after Euripides).

Imagine Theatre prepares for an exciting season of pantomimes across Scotland

Imagine Theatre proudly presents a spectacular lineup of family pantomimes across Scotland bursting with laughter, music, sparkle, and dance starring some of Scotland's best-loved entertainers!

South Lanarkshire Council announces dates for their 2025 Christmas Lights switch on events

The countdown to Christmas is underway with lights scheduled to be switched on at events across South Lanarkshire!

Step into the magic at Dobbies Garden Centres

Dobbies Garden Centres has a fantastic line up of Santa’s Grotto and Quiet Grotto experiences, with an exciting North Pole adventure inspired theme, running from 23rd November - 24th December.

Scottish Ensemble announce projects for Spring and Summer 2026

Scottish Ensemble, a pioneering collective of musicians championing music for strings, announces its series of events for Spring/Summer 2026.

Aldi Scotland is turning up the Christmas cheer with its first ever festive Supermarket Sweep

Aldi Scotland is giving one lucky customer the chance to take part in a seasonal edition of its popular shopping challenge, all while raising vital funds for Children's Hospices Across Scotland.

Hidden treasures of Murrayfield

Murrayfield heritage lead Laura Tinch reveals hidden collection of 5,000 artefacts charting a century of Scottish rugby history.

Popular Listings

Airdrie Town Hall Chatelherault Country Park East Kilbride Arts Centre East Kilbride Village Theatre Lanark Memorial Hall Lanternhouse Cumbernauld Rutherglen Town Hall Strathclyde Country Park The Town House Hamilton

Beat the Street helps get East Kilbride healthy

An initiative to encourage cleaner air, more active travel and healthier lifestyles in East Kilbride was a resounding success according to a new report!

Sponsored Links

Latest Lanarkshire News

Sponsored Links

Sponsored Links

Popular Events

Popular Listings