App adds a spring in your step

A NEW mobile app that makes walking more fun can be adopted in Hong Kong, according to its designer. New York environmental planner Bernardita Calinao told The Standard that her app is set to change people’s mindset on walking.

The pilot app, Walkspan, is a mapping device that allows people to plan preferred walking routes. It was presented at the Walk21 conference at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre last week.

Users can specify their preference on routes, based on factors such as utility, vibrancy and comfort, as well as the natural or man-made attractions along the road.

“For instance, you can pick the path where there is shade or where you can sit down on benches,” Calinao said. “People sometimes don’t know they can go from A to B in a nicer way.” She believes that walking should have a human touch.

The app will first be launched in New York and can be applied to Hong Kong.

“Even if you just want to walk from Wan Chai (灣仔) to Causeway Bay (銅鑼灣), you can walk on Hennessy Road (軒尼詩道), which is more vibrant, or you can walk on Lockhart Road (駱克道) or Jaffe Road (謝斐道) where there is more traffic,” she said. “They all have different personalities, qualities and characters.”

Not that Hong Kong people need any prompting to walk. A study showed locals spend 44.9 minutes a day on physical activity, mostly accumulated through walking for transport.

(This article is published on Junior Standard on 11 October 2016)

Walking: your steps to health
https://goo.gl/937vec

Hong Kong – physical activity
https://goo.gl/fJFETL