So a man wrote my running club asking us to stop running on the roads in the neighborhood

Just a Runner Man wrote:

FWIW, he is also after the cyclists.

Roads were originally paved for cyclists, not automobiles. It is true. Look it up.

A respectful disagreement here. Runners should run where they can best be seen.

In my community, there are a number of runners who appear to feel "entitled" to run anywhere (including the middle of the street). I see the "three abreast" thing, too. These are the behaviors that annoy non-runners (and, hopefully, thoughtful runners).

It sounds like the complainer is more concerned about the inconvenience caused by road races (street closures, garbage, whatever). I hear that every time a local race is not run on trails or paths.

Good luck to OP.

Not a big deal. Meet with the city, let this nutjob talk himself into a hole. Unless this guy has some pull with your city council or there is a big anti-runner sentiment where you live it's going to be real hard for him to put forth any kind of winning argument. The council will listen to him, maybe ask your group a few questions, then brush him off and move onto the next bit of business.

The legal view of "running on the roads" has various meanings depending on the circumstance (biking on the roads, same thing). In some places it may not be legal. I can think of 2 places fairly close to where I live where bikes/pedestrians are banned even though when I drive those roads they look fairly typical to roads that you would expect to be able to run or bike on (i.e. they're definitely not interstate highway type roads).

One thing I gotta say, I do not understand why runners train in the street when lightly traveled sidewalks (in good shape) are present. I can understand running in the street if you're in an area where the sidewalks are either crowded or poorly maintained. Example, where I live there is one main road to get from the north end of the city to downtown, it's about 4 miles and has lightly traveled sidewalks on both sides the whole way. At some points it's 2 lanes for cars in each direction, but mostly it's 1 lane for cars in each direction. Mostly it's not a super wide road. In 25 years running on that road I've never felt the need to run anywhere but the sidewalk. At least once a week I see somebody running in the street - experienced runners and newbies. I don't get it. Once somebody told me they ran in the street because it was softer than the sidewalk and saved their legs. Seriously? We're talking asphalt vs concrete, not feathers vs concrete.

Are you saying your running group (or a lot of your local runners) deliberately runs in the street as opposed to on the sidewalk in this guy's neighborhood?

In my town, the city ordinance says it is against the law to for pedestrians to walk (and presumably run) along the street if there is a sidewalk.

If there is no sidewalk, the ordinance says that you can walk/run in the street but have to do it along the left side facing traffic. Which is the smart way to do it even if there isn't an ordinance.

If there are sidewalks the complaining guy may be technically right about the law if OP's local ordinances are the same.

Personally, I think there ought to be a common sense element where pedestrians can use the street if it is safe - i.e., light traffic, wide streets and so on, even if there is a sidewalk. Many sidewalks are dangerous to run on (uneven, with driveway cuts, etc.), especially if it is dark, and streets are less obstructed lots of times.

In most places there is no law saying cyclists or runners have to use bike paths / sidewalks. It is often unsafe for a runner to run on a sidewalk because of children/walkers/dogs. If you are running at a good clip (say 10 mph) then the road is where you belong. If you are cycling at say 20 mph then most bike paths are unsafe.

I think it should be illegal for cars to be on the roads. I can't tell you how many times I've had some pesky vehicle impede my run. Plus, breathing in their fumes is bad for my lungs. Also too, global warming.

Around here this time of year the sidewalk is a VERY unsafe place to run. People think nothing of pulling out of their driveway all the way to the curb never looking for anything or anyone on the sidewalk. Sidewalks are blocked with piles of leaves, sometimes covering heaves in the concrete or branchs. People out for a pleasant evening stroll with a child also don't appreciate a herd of runners comping by.

Combine that with the fact it's dark most of the time people are running and the streets are better lit than the sidewalks it's recipe for injury.

[quote]Just a Runner Man wrote:

So now we have to meet with the city and this man. I am not sure I understand it entirely, but he thinks we should be quarantined to parks. His argument is that roads are for cars and runners need to stay off of them.

quote]

You are trolling. There is no reason you have to meet with the city. They city cannot compel people to meet with it. You are free to do what you want. Police or bylaw officers may choose to ticket individuals in your group if they catch them running on the roads, but that's it.

Please stop with this nonsense.

What about in the UK and other places where cars drive on the left hand side of the road?

justathought wrote:

What about in the UK and other places where cars drive on the left hand side of the road?

Logically, pedestrians should walk on the right side, but I don't actually know the rules in the UK.

Just a Runner Man wrote:

So now we have to meet with the city and this man. I am not sure I understand it entirely, but he thinks we should be quarantined to parks. His argument is that roads are for cars and runners need to stay off of them.

This is a mid-sized town and the neighborhoods are not super busy.

He seems to think our small running club is responsible for every runner in the city simply because we host 3 races a year.

I expect some of you to agree with him, but what is the legal view on running in roads? It seems to me that until very recently (last 50 years), roads have been for everyone to use. Not just speeding cars. Right?

FWIW, he is also after the cyclists.

Find this guy who made the complaint. Run up to his house,knock on the door, and hit him straight in the face. Tell him as he is on the floor wheeping like a little girl that if he has any more complaints about runs you'll be back.

One of the burbs where I live has a no running on the street ordinance (sidewalk only). The cops would go out and ticket people in the local marathon training group on Saturday morning when they were running in the street for their weekly long run. Be careful with this guy or where you live may end up in the same situation.

Some people just hate running events and runners. I used to RD a 5k. We put together a great course, talked to every homeowner affected and got an ok from everyone and still got angry letters sent to the City because someone had to drive an extra few blocks.

No foot traffic on the road? How are you supposed to get anywhere if you don't have a vehicle? Or exercise? Sounds like a jerk who just wants to impose his will on others. Guys like that are what is wrong with America and the world in general.

Tell him to go to hell (or words to that effect).

Just a Runner Man wrote:

He is worked up because we have a 10k in the neighborhood in 2 weeks and it is in the 12th year. He asked us to move it to the fairgrounds (wtf?) last year and we refused to do so.

I assume your town issues a permit each year to use public roads for the 10K? If so, the matter is solely between your club and the town. This crackpot is all bark, no bite -- so invite him to call out splits at 5K. ;- )

Run against, bike with. Its the law AFAIK evrrywhere.

Just a Runner Man wrote:

So now we have to meet with the city and this man. I am not sure I understand it entirely, but he thinks we should be quarantined to parks. His argument is that roads are for cars and runners need to stay off of them.

This is a mid-sized town and the neighborhoods are not super busy.

He seems to think our small running club is responsible for every runner in the city simply because we host 3 races a year.

I expect some of you to agree with him, but what is the legal view on running in roads? It seems to me that until very recently (last 50 years), roads have been for everyone to use. Not just speeding cars. Right?

FWIW, he is also after the cyclists.

While I think it is stupid for runners (bikers too) to run or bike on the roads these days (distracted drivers are at an all-time high), I would not be for a law against it...people should be allowed to make stupid decisions.

I've run countless miles on the roads, but I haven't done that in years and won't do so anymore...it's just not worth it. I don't need to be sucking in the fumes from cars right there anyway.

Why did the thread mocking thus one get deleted??? Who complains about these things?? Why would that get deleted while racist and explicit threads remain? wtf?????

That one was actually sort of funny. And harmless.

Flagpole wrote:

While I think it is stupid for runners (bikers too) to run or bike on the roads these days (distracted drivers are at an all-time high), I would not be for a law against it...people should be allowed to make stupid decisions.

You clearly live in a much large city than me, I live in a small historic town where it would be silly to run anywhere but the roads.

Dunno nuttin about no Brits wrote:

justathought wrote:

What about in the UK and other places where cars drive on the left hand side of the road?

Logically, pedestrians should walk on the right side, but I don't actually know the rules in the UK.

I live in S. Korea and run with traffic, per the law as told to me by a policeman.

Running against traffic here tends to freak people way out, apparently.