Burn fat, not fuel: that's the message Government is sending to the community as it asks people to get out of their cars and change their lifestyles.

Yesterday the Ministries of Health and Transport combined to launch 'Burn Fat Not Fuel Day' on April 11, which is in recognition of the World Health Organisation's drive to encourage healthy living and a healthy environment.

The initiative is designed to encourage people to exercise regularly and use public transport – which will be free on April 11.

Premier and Transport Minister Ewart Brown explained yesterday: "Initially, this effort will focus on just one day in a countrywide coordinated effort.

"But the overall goal is to start the process of changing lifestyles so that our collective personal health and our environmental health are more sustainable."

Dr. Brown revealed he caught the bus to work yesterday, from his neighbourhood bus stop near the Collector's Hill Apothecary.

"I walked to my neighbourhood bus stop near the Collector's Hill pharmacy, got on the bus and came to work, it was very simple.

"I didn't even bother to use my Blackberry. And I know my 'simple' act helped to reduce my personal carbon footprint while I got some exercise in the process.

"I'm now asking everyone in Bermuda to follow suit and I'm asking every resident not to burn the fuel in their vehicles, but instead to burn the fat in their bodies."

Asked when free public transport will be implemented, he said an announcement "will be coming shortly" and the scheme phased in.

Health Minister Nelson Bascome said the Burn Fat Not Fuel day supported the World Health Organisation's mandate to encourage healthy living together with a healthy environment.

"Climate change patterns have led to global increases in death and diseases relating to natural disasters, heat waves, air pollution and food, water as well as vector-born illnesses," he said.

"If more of us leave our cars and motorcycles home on Friday, April 11, Bermuda is going to experience a drastic reduction of traffic congestion, fuel consumption and inevitably, an increase in physical activity.

"I'm asking the public to take up the challenge to cycle, walk, or run to work and that will be an excellent chance to not only better our health but it's a form of fitness."

Mr. Bascome pledged to ride to work on his pedal cycle on the day.