Gothamist: Take the Stairs, New York

cucarachita

Thu, 22 May 2008 19:06:12 -0500

I live on the sixth floor, and I only take the elevator if I'm loaded down with a heavy bag or groceries. Once you get used to it, I only start getting out of breath by the fifth floor, but that's only at the end of a long day. With no bags to carry, I can walk briskly up to 6th without getting winded. I'm 43 years old, BTW, so I don't get it when I see kids taking the elevator to the third or fourth floor. And no, I don't believe escalators were made for people to stand still on. As far as I can tell, they're just made to get people moving more quickly which means you can go up the stairs on elevators at a leisurely pace and still get to the top faster than if you walked. I think people are just damn lazy, yes I do. And that's why people are overweight. People don't want to move their butts! Not moving only leads to more not moving! The less you move, the lazier you get, and the less you want to do. Get moving! You'll be surprised how much you'll get done and how good you'll feel.

getagimmick

Thu, 22 May 2008 10:05:26 -0500

i work on the second floor and our office building does not allow us to take the stairs. i've grown accustomed to dirty looks anytime i take the elevator up or down one floor, and even worse when i occasionally have to go to an office on the third floor and have to take the elevators both ways. believe me i wish i could take the stairs every time i have to take the elevator.

meese

Thu, 22 May 2008 09:21:34 -0500

My office building also allows stair use only during emergencies. Why, City of New York, must you berate me for circumstances beyond my control??? Oh, wait. That's what you do.

Kevin Walsh

Wed, 21 May 2008 22:31:48 -0500

Sometimes. The one at Court Sq on the E-F-G too. www.forgotten-ny.com

TimSPC

Wed, 21 May 2008 19:44:03 -0500

Kevin Walsh: I always stand on the right to allow people in a rush to walk, but I reserve the right to stand on an escalator, fulfilling the purpose of its mission. Do you stand on people movers at airports, too?

Kevin Walsh

Wed, 21 May 2008 18:17:18 -0500

>>>By the way, people who stand escalators are a special kind of lazy. ???? The purpose of escalators is to allow people to ride upstairs WITHOUT WALKING. I always stand on the right to allow people in a rush to walk, but I reserve the right to stand on an escalator, fulfilling the purpose of its mission. www.forgotten-ny.com

TimSPC

Wed, 21 May 2008 17:56:36 -0500

By the way, people who stand escalators are a special kind of lazy. I'm not talking about the sick or the elderly or pregnant women. I'm talking about healthy individuals who stand. And stand on the freaking down escalator! If you're going to stand, at least move to the right. The Port Authority Bus Terminal might have the worst escalator riders in New York.

plk779

Wed, 21 May 2008 17:40:51 -0500

Where are these elevators of which you speak?

janelle

Wed, 21 May 2008 17:32:32 -0500

i'd also suggest climbing escalators if it strikes your fancy. and if it doesn't, i suggest standing to the right side so us climbers can pass by on your left.

sonyactivision

Wed, 21 May 2008 17:31:54 -0500

Put Stairmasters in all elevators so people can get their exercise fix and still arrive on time.

TimSPC

Wed, 21 May 2008 17:29:26 -0500

One-floor elevator riders are from hell.

nomnomnom

Wed, 21 May 2008 17:04:14 -0500

Since the escalators and elevators in the subway system are broken, this campaign is perfect signage to place in stations near escalators and elevators.

JenChungsBra

Wed, 21 May 2008 16:54:10 -0500

When I lived on the sixth floor I always took the stairs down (but rarely up). I don't understand people who wait for the elevator in order to go up to or down from the second floor. How friggin' lame do you have to be to not be able to walk one flight of steps?

vermilion

Wed, 21 May 2008 16:53:18 -0500

I wish my office building allowed access to the stairwells -- we used to get good exercise running between floors until they made all the doors alarmed fire doors. Now we're forced to wait for the elevators. Frustrating!

gossipgirl

Wed, 21 May 2008 16:47:53 -0500

Take the Stairs '08! The stairs in my building are for emergency use only, go figure.

just_saying

Wed, 21 May 2008 16:42:31 -0500

Given the fact that many subway elevators don't work, many riders have no choice but to take the stairs.

charshiu

Wed, 21 May 2008 16:32:13 -0500

I wonder if all the cost savings will be offset by people falling down stairs.

SP

Wed, 21 May 2008 16:27:13 -0500

The city wants people to use the stairs more to save electricity and fossil fuels, and yet, they continue to issue building permits for highrise condo and office developments. I'm all for taking the stairs, but seriously: fucking hypocritical bullshit PR stunt is what this really is.

zodak

Wed, 21 May 2008 16:24:31 -0500

but please keep in mind that the stairs in the subway system are not for training your toddler to climb stairs while you make everyone wait behind you.

rtd2101

Wed, 21 May 2008 16:22:34 -0500

You know what I hate? People in my building who take the elevator to the 2nd floor! I can't tell you the death stare I give the person who waddles into the elevator and pushes 2 or 3. Unless you are elderly, disabled, or have some sort of leg injury, you should not be allowed to take the elevator to any floor below 5.