Bloomberg Encourages Stair Use In NYC Buildings To Promote Physical Activity, Combat Obesity

Mayor Bloomberg wants you to take the stairs. The mayor issued an executive order Wednesday requiring city agencies to implement "active design strategies" in city buildings.

Bloomberg also introduced the Center for Active Design, a non-profit organization, dedicated to making stair use more visible and appealing.

The initiative is part of the mayor's ongoing effort to curb obesity rates and promote healthy living.

Past efforts include reducing salt intake, pushing bodega owners to reposition unhealthy snacks to make fruit more visible, and of course the controversial soda ban.

While he insisted the plan wasn't aimed at directing people to live a certain way, Bloomberg said, "The whole idea here is not to change what you have to do, but to give you the idea or the impetus to do something that is in your own interest.”

The mayor also said he uses the stairs to get into his five-story townhouse instead of using the elevator.

The proposals await City Council approval in order to take effect.