They are padding the street.
    People are padding the street.

I came across this word recently. I'm not sure whether I understood the usage of it. The dictionary says  it means "to travel on foot; walk." If that's the case, can I use this word in all the places I where I used the word "walk" or "walking". Does the word fit in my above sample sentences?

Why can't just use the word 'walk' instead? How does the word pad differs from walk? What difference it makes?