New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg has a new target on his ever-expanding list of “get fit” initiatives to residents — elevators and escalators.
The mayor — who’s already targeted salt, supersize sodas and trans fats — has brought forth new legislation to require all new buildings to provide easier access to stairs and post signs near elevators suggesting people take the stairs instead.
A second bill would allow for the installation of “hold-open devices” on elevator doors to give people more time to take the stairs, The Blaze reported.
“What we’ve got to do is just make it cool, if you will, or socially more the norm to exercise, and that’s what you see here,” Mr. Bloomberg said, various media reported. “The whole idea is not to change what you have to do, but to give you the idea and the impetus to do something that is in your best interest.”
As part of the initiative, city officials also created a “Center for Active Design,” a nonprofit group to help design buildings that promote healthier lifestyles. Mr. Bloomberg announced he was issuing an executive order for all agencies to tap into this group’s ideas when doing renovations and construction projects, The Blaze said.
• Cheryl K. Chumley can be reached at cchumley@washingtontimes.com.
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