Staring up the stairs in the morning, many transit riders may choose to take the escalator or elevator at TTC stations, but the city’s top doctor is urging people to make the climb.
Dr. David McKeown, Toronto’s Medical Officer of Health, and TTC CEO Andy Byford are teaming up to promote stair-walking at TTC stations as a way to keep Torontonians healthy.
“Torontonians are not getting enough physical activity. In fact we have data from research studies that showed only about 15 per cent of people in Ontario are getting levels of physical activity required for good health,” said Dr. McKeown at Queen’s Park station during the campaign’s launch on Tuesday.
Posters and stickers throughout TTC stations across the city will urge riders to “Rediscover the Stairs.”
The city offers similar programs, with wayfinding signs directing people to the stairs and a stair-climbing challenge worksheet, to workplaces.
With stair climbing considered a moderate-to-vigorous physical activity, it burns seven times more calories than taking the elevator.
Our new stair wraps in TTC stations will get you to think twice before taking the escalator. #RediscoverTheStairs pic.twitter.com/5kj8vvIY6v
— Toronto PublicHealth (@TOPublicHealth) September 16, 2014
Check out Dr. David McKeown & TTC CEO Andy Byford's #RediscoverTheStairs selfie! Learn more http://t.co/V14lUweCge pic.twitter.com/HRgTmUu8TL
— Toronto PublicHealth (@TOPublicHealth) September 17, 2014
Do you take the stairs at TTC stations? Share your comments in the space below.
@CityNews Always
— ⬛DDT.19 Social Exp. (@dxrphouse) September 16, 2014
@CityNews in a busy station with 1 escalator going up, and 1 set of stairs I take the escalator up. #TrafficControl
— Rhino (@Essex121514) September 16, 2014
@CityNews i take the stairs while my parents take the escalator and im only 11
— MANNY RT’s (@manahil8463) September 16, 2014
