Calorie maps route to fitness

Aucklanders are being encouraged to huff and puff their way to fitness with the first of a set of "calorie" maps of walking and cycling routes.

The Auckland City Council maps, the first of which depicts eight walks and a cycle ride around Mt Albert, will include estimates of how many calories will be burned over varying numbers of steps.

Walks range from a 15-minute amble between the Baldwin Avenue train station and St Lukes shopping centre, to shed a modest 90 calories, to a more gut-busting 70-minute "mountain vista" trail through green belts and over Mt Albert for the loss of 425 calories.

Calorie estimates are based on an "average" 80kg male and maps will be published through the year for Newmarket, Onehunga, Ellerslie, Avondale, Panmure and Otahuhu.

Council transport committee chairman Richard Simpson, who came up with the idea, said the maps were designed to help busy Aucklanders fit some exercise into their days while encouraging them to leave their cars at home for short trips.

He said yesterday that the ultimate agenda, once people became used to getting out and about, was to encourage them to walk to bus stops or train stations to incorporate public transport into a healthier way of life.

"We have got to make public transport a lifestyle change when we look at issues about obesity and goodness knows what."

Mr Simpson said there was a limit to how far public transport could be promoted on altruistic grounds, notably a concern for the environment, and there was nothing wrong with appealing to self-interest by emphasising fitness benefits.

Calorie maps had been used effectively to promote heritage walks in Liverpool.

"Auckland can take the idea much further and use them as a tool to get Aucklanders to better embrace public transport as part of the healthy lifestyle alternative," Mr Simpson said.

He was disappointed that only train stations, and not bus-stops, did not make it to the first map but said these would be added to later editions.

He also acknowledged that four of the eight walks and the cycling route ran partly along or across the route of the proposed Avondale motorway extension, but said the council would do its best to ensure no more than minor changes were made to these.

Maps are available from community centres, libraries or from the city council.

* Motorists are meanwhile being urged to watch out for thousands of pairs of little feet taking to the streets this morning on the first national "Walk to School Day".

Up to 15,000 Auckland children from almost 70 schools are taking part in walking events throughout the week, but most are expected to be out and about this morning to qualify for prize breakfasts with a visit from a mystery internationally renowned sportsman.

The Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority is running the event with Land Transport NZ and the Auckland Regional Transport Authority.