Isn't it expected that you stick to the right side and pass on the left when walking or have I been harboring some unwarranted hate for people who just kind of walk on whatever side they please?
Isn't it expected that you stick to the right side and pass on the left when walking or have I been harboring some unwarranted hate for people who just kind of walk on whatever side they please?
The hate is warranted. Throw an elbow.
you are right. I live in DC and before I can get into Rock Creek park on my runs, I must run about a half a mile on a busy sidewalk. I stick to the right. Problem is 1)oblivious people riding bikes on sidewalks 2)people walking four wide and taking up the whole side walk without even paying attention 3) people deciding that smoking can only be done on sidewalks.
This sidewalk etiquette in my area is the worst. Also, it is the other runners, walkers, and old people who don't share the sidewalk. The teenagers and kids and ones you'd expect to block the sidewalk always move out of the way.
On 10 foot wide sidewalks I'll frequently pass runners with my stroller who don't want to give me 2 or 3 feet on the right side. Then they seem surprised when I hold my ground and they have to jump out of the way at the last minute.
Last year I ran up behind an older male and female and said excuse me twice very loudly. They were running perfectly spaced that I couldn't comfortably go by with my stroller. I finally split the de and went between the two of them. The lady nearly jumped out of her shoes and yelled, 'jesus, say excuse me next time' haha, this was hilarious and some people at a bus stop had a good laugh after hearing me say excuse me a couple times.
Anyways, I always make room for others and go on the grass if there just isn't enough room - especially if I'm on my own (no stroller). I make extra room for people less able than me - older, wheelchairs, others with stroller. Why some people are so oblivious to others baffles me.
There is no sidewalk etiquette for civvies, only runners.
Sidewalk etiquette
Invoke the 6 second sidewalk rule(not the 10 second kitchen floor rule), kiss it up to the sky and eat it quick.
Some people are either just oblivious to their surroundings, inconsiderate to free-flowing movement of anyone other than themselves, or outright selfish and do it on purpose. Hard to figure out unless you know the person. I generally look at it from the athlete's perspective, knowing most people wash out because they can;t control their body's on space. Typically I just treat it like a game, and just look people in the eye and stick to the right. If they don't move, I just look at them like their crazy and say excuse me, and then see how far they are willing to push it if they are n the wrong side. It is fun, albeit frustrating at times.
I run up behind them and yell TRACK!!!!!!!!!!!
They seem to know what that means cause they move.
If I see any strollers or bikes, then I just knock them out of the way. They are dangerous and should be on the streets not the sidewalks.
I have separated a few owners from their dog leashes. Also once last year I sent a group of about 8 dog owners, blocking the entire sidewalk (10' wide) while socializing and ignoring everyone else, jumping in every direction. I was like Pumba in the Lion King when he charges the hyenas.
This is running with a stroller.
Bikes on the sidewalk should yield to pedestrians, b/c technically they shouldn't be there.
It is really quite amazing the lack of spatial awareness and lack of social courtesy some can have on the sidewalk. However the groups that walk 3-4 wide on the sidewalk, see you approaching, yet don't move truly are pieces of sh!t. Just the lowest form of human.
"technically"? They absolutely don't belong on a sidewalk.
And yes to the other poster, the 4-wide clueless dopes are horrid people. Actually on sidewalks I have just accepted stupidity but it happens on unpaved or blacktop bike/run/walking paths too and they are 2x sidewalk width around here. People are amazingly inconsiderate.
The worst are fisherman who are waving their rod tips and hooks all over the place while walking.
The worst are couples where the guy thinks they should get to take the whole sidewalk because he has to protect his defenseless woman.
What he should do is step in front of or behind her. Often he'll put the girl on his left so people approaching will go around her just because she's a girl. When this happens, you should switch to the left side and play chicken with the mofo. He'll step aside, and if he doesn't, what's he gonna do, accuse of you taking up the whole damn sidewalk?
I almost got a finger in the eye when a group of lost tourists standing in the middle of a sidewalk wondering which direction to go out decided to just randomly point in my direction as I was running by.