The girls were among about 200 Queen's pupils who took part in the Built Environment and Active Transport to School (Beats) study last week, which looked at teenagers' daily activities and attitudes to active transport - walking and cycling.
While Ella lives ''just around the corner'' from school, Louise lives a little further away and must cross busy Bay View Rd on her journey.
''It isn't too bad, but there are a lot of cars and buses to watch out for,'' Louise said.
''There are also a lot of dogs, which can be a worry,'' she said.
Both have bikes, but choose to walk for the convenience and the social aspect of it.
''It's good to walk with your friends - you can talk and catch up,'' Ella said.
Reaching the recommended activity level of 60 minutes daily is not a problem for either girl, as both are very active outside school hours.
Ella is a rhythmic gymnast and is part of a hip-hop dance troupe which is preparing to compete at the nationals this month. She is also working towards national competitions for rhythmic gymnastics during the school holidays.
Louise is an Otago under-15 rep hockey player, and also plays netball, basketball, tennis, volleyball and touch rugby. She will be heading away to Tauranga during the school holidays for a hockey tournament.
''We're both full on with our training at the moment, so we will have no trouble being active for 60 minutes a day,'' Louise said.
Both Ella and Louise have volunteered to wear activity meters (accelerometers) for a week and say they will be very interested in the results.
Like many of their peers, both young women also spend time relaxing in front of screens - watching television or using computers.
