Technology often gets a bad rap. It is blamed for making us overweight, unhealthy and cut off from the ‘real’ world. Whether PC, TV or mobile, technology can glue us to screens at work, home and in between. It is often seen as undermining our ability to lead healthy and active lives in our communities.

At one end of the spectrum is technology, at the other is something a bit more pedestrian – walking (pardon the pun). Is technology killing the art of walking? Some may have us believe that our enthusiasm for wandering around social networking sites is bringing about the demise of ‘real’ walking. Is technology contributing to a decline in walking and talking, laughing, learning and playing on our streets and public spaces?

The think about these types of questions, look no further than Victoria Walks – a walking promotion charity charged with getting us back on our feet and physically active.

When Victoria Walks burst onto the scene two year ago it clearly sought to harness the great potential of technology to counter physical inactivity in the community. Initially, through the Victoria Walks website that supports communities to increase walking and make their neighbourhoods more walkable. This is about building vibrant, interesting and fun neighbourhoods that draw people out so they want to walk.

Apart from noticeably increasing its social media presence, Victoria Walks is developing a unique and highly usable online mapping facility will bring together a range of different maps for different purposes.

It will become the destination for walking, whether you want to explore what is at your own doorstep, take a scenic stroll down the Great Ocean Road or organise a 30-minute walking meeting in Carlton. The facility will excite and inspire people to explore Victoria on foot.

Embedded in social media, the maps will allow people to create annotated Google maps with photos, points of interest and a variety of walk information.  The maps will allow people to find existing public walks as well as upload and share their favourite walks, and build an ever-growing community of walkers. Victoria Walks is looking to include data of the walking tracks in National and State Parks (a lot are not on Google Maps).

The desktop version will be live in late May and Android and iphone apps soon to follow. Victoria Walks see mobile devices as key to not only increasing walking but enabling people to participate in their community life.

Imagine mapping out routes on a mobile device for workplace walking meetings that include green spaces and where to get a good coffee on the way!

As a small but rapidly growing organisation, Victoria Walks is looking for new and exciting ways to use technology to get people active at work. How can it convince people to skip the lift and take the stairs, walk to a colleague rather than phone, go for a walking meeting or step out at lunch?

What do you think? Will you use these apps and how so? and how can mobile devices and technology get us on our feet and change the way we do work?

Related links:

• Victoria Walks
• Victoria Walks Facebook Page
• Victoria Walks Twitter