Hello and welcome back to a new episode of News Bites!

I'm Nancy Sun.

And I'm Kelly Kimura.

In this episode of News Bites, a change to Taiwan’s traffic lights.

Plus the best kind of exercise you might not have thought about.

Also ahead… the word of the day: “CARDIO”.

All that and more, coming up next
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"小綠人"年底前停止奔跑
Taiwan's traffic man will stop running by the end of the year

Taiwan has very interesting pedestrian lights (非常有趣的行人號誌).

Some pedestrian lights in Taichung show the popular cartoon character
'Snoopy'.

The black and white dog works with the red and green lights to let people
know when its time to cross the street, or when it is not safe.

In Pingtung, some lights show a man in love.

When the light is green the man crosses the street, holding hands with his
girlfriend. And when it is red, he stops to ask her to marry him.

But in most places, the light shows a man walking at a normal speed when it
is time to cross (以正常速度行走).

He then starts to run when the lights are about to change.

Some pedestrians (行人) think the running man is a sign that people have to
walk faster -- or run -- if they want to make it across the street before
the light goes from green to red.

But the government says that's not the case at all.

They say the running man is just to let people know the green man is about to
turn red.
他們說，奔跑的人形標誌只是為了告訴人們綠燈即將變成紅燈。

But because there is plenty of misunderstanding over what the running man
stands for, the government says it is time for him to retire.

Instead of showing a running man, the traffic lights will show the same green
man.

But he'll be blinking -- or flashing instead (但小綠人會閃爍).

The running man is now being used in 20 counties and cities across Taiwan.

The government says these places have until the end of the year to slow the
running man down.

When the running man becomes the blinking man, this is supposed to be a
reminder (提醒), that it is time for pedestrians to stop and wait for the
lights to change back again.
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BITE-SIZED BREAK

In this episode's Bite-Sized Break, Tim at Taipei Municipal Shi-jian
Elementary School helps us keep away the blues with a good laugh.
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你可以做的一件簡單又健康的事
An Easy Thing You Can Do To Get Healthy

Many people like doing special things to exercise and get healthy.

They will usually choose a sport that they enjoy, like running, swimming,
tennis, or basketball.

But playing a sport usually comes with a price tag (有代價).

In order to play a sport properly, you may need special equipment.

And that can get expensive.

Nearly all athletes need special sports shoes, and that's not cheap.

Athletes who play tennis or badminton need rackets.
打網球或羽球的運動員需要球拍.

People who like to bike need good bicycles.

But doctors say there is one thing that you can do every day -- and that's to
use the stairs (走樓梯).

Climbing up stairs isn't something that we do naturally.
日常生活中，也許我們不會選擇走樓梯。

Most of us would choose to ride the elevator (電梯) or escalator (電扶梯) to
get to where we want to go.

But if you really want to get fit... doctors say taking the stairs is the
quickest, and easiest way to get healthy.

One doctor says taking the stairs means using your legs, your heart, and your
lungs.

And the exercise is challenging because "gravity is working against you."
這種運動很有挑戰性，因為「重力會與你作對」。

Research even shows that climbing the stairs for four minutes is equal to 10
minutes of walking fast, or 20 minutes of walking slowly.

Climbing stairs can also be good for mental health (心理健康), because using
the stairs gives you more energy, which makes you feel better.

And even though some people can get hurt going up stairs, there is very
little risk (風險) in climbing up stairs for most people.

And if we choose to take the stairs, we may be doing two good things.

We're helping the environment, and we're helping our bodies at the same time.
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So, in today's News Bites:

In Taiwan, most pedestrian lights show a man walking at a normal speed when
it is time to cross.

He then starts to run when the lights are about to change.

But that’s about to change.

The traffic lights will show the same green man, but he'll be blinking -- or
flashing instead.
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And…

Doctors say taking the stairs is the quickest, and easiest way to get healthy.

One doctor says taking the stairs means using your legs, your heart, and your
lungs.

And the exercise is challenging because "gravity is working against you."

Research even shows that climbing the stairs for four minutes is equal to 10
minutes of walking fast, or 20 minutes of walking slowly.
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In today’s News Flash, our word of the day is “CARDIO”.

Do you like to exercise and feel your heart beat faster?

If you do, you’re the kind of person who enjoys “CARDIO” (有氧運動)...

“Cardio” is a noun - and you use the word when you’re talking about the
kind of exercise that has a good impact on your heart and lungs.

This is because “cardio” doesn’t just move your muscles, it can work your
heart and lungs too.

“Cardio” exercises can include running, jogging, dancing, or a ball sport
that makes you move fast.

And now you know!
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If you have a fun fact or a joke you'd like to share with us, record your
message and send us your Bite-Sized Break to newsbites@icrt.com.tw, and you
might hear it in an episode!

We'll see you next time for an exciting new episode of News Bites!