Bloomberg's Newest Health Crusade: Taking the Stairs

"NYC Mayor Mike Bloomberg issued an executive order Wednesday requiring all new government facilities to be designed in a way that encourages physical activity, like taking the stairs," reports Alex Goldmark. "He wants to help the rest of the city do the same with new legislation and a new academic center. It's all part of a push to spread a philosophy called Active Design."

"Bloomberg announced two separate pieces of legislation to encourage—though not require, the city stresses—stairway access," explains Goldmark. "The first would mandate that building owners make one well-marked stairwell available for use in every building and add signage near elevators 'prompting stair use.' The other proposal would allow landlords to use devices to keep stairwell doors open for up to three consecutive floors to make it easier for workers to take those short, intra-building trips on foot instead of by elevator." 

"As with his previous health initiatives, Mayor Bloomberg wants this idea replicated beyond the five boroughs, so he also announced the launch of a nonprofit institution to spread the active design gospel."