Runners who run on the wrong side of the road

lwood wrote:

Based on that isn't it safer to run with traffic. If you're running against traffic and someone is making a right hand turn they look the way the traffic is going-not opposite.

It is assumed that if you are running against traffic you are slow enough and aware enough to see a car pull out in front of you in time to avoid it. Even if you were oblivious and hit it, you would likely impact at 2-8 mph. Whereas if you were running with traffic, a car plowing you down from behind may be much, much faster.

I've been swerved at, cursed at, had things thrown at me from vehicles. All these things are easier to prepare for if you run against traffic and see them coming. Running with traffic means you get caught with your pants down when they pull up and scream and throw things.

Les wrote:

I've been swerved at, cursed at, had things thrown at me from vehicles. All these things are easier to prepare for if you run against traffic and see them coming. Running with traffic means you get caught with your pants down when they pull up and scream and throw things.

But what kind of people are throwing things at people running? And more importantly, where? Are you living in savage world?

lwood wrote:

Stay on the sidewalks wrote:

What is worse is when they run in the bike lane. The bike lane is for bikes. Stay out of it. It's more dangerous.

I dunno if I agree with that. In the city there are driveways and alleyways where drivers don't stop behind the sidewalk, but pull up to the street. In the bike lane you can clearly be seen. Prove me wrong.

It depends on where you live. I do hear what you are saying. Sometimes there are driveways that have no view of the sidewalk due to bushes or trees that are obscure their view to the right and/or left. Yes, these would be hazardous for runners and walkers. However, by and large you are safer on the sidewalk than running in the bike lane.

Are you serious? wrote:

Les wrote:

I've been swerved at, cursed at, had things thrown at me from vehicles. All these things are easier to prepare for if you run against traffic and see them coming. Running with traffic means you get caught with your pants down when they pull up and scream and throw things.

But what kind of people are throwing things at people running? And more importantly, where? Are you living in savage world?

You obviously have never been out running in the 1970's.

Truth Bomber wrote:

lwood wrote:

Based on that isn't it safer to run with traffic. If you're running against traffic and someone is making a right hand turn they look the way the traffic is going-not opposite.

It is assumed that if you are running against traffic you are slow enough and aware enough to see a car pull out in front of you in time to avoid it. Even if you were oblivious and hit it, you would likely impact at 2-8 mph. Whereas if you were running with traffic, a car plowing you down from behind may be much, much faster.

What's more likely? A car "plowing you down" from behind or someone pulling out and not seeing you?

1. You must have a lot of haters where you live. 2. Were you wearing the Nike cheat shoes?

Stay on the sidewalks wrote:

lwood wrote:

I dunno if I agree with that. In the city there are driveways and alleyways where drivers don't stop behind the sidewalk, but pull up to the street. In the bike lane you can clearly be seen. Prove me wrong.

It depends on where you live. I do hear what you are saying. Sometimes there are driveways that have no view of the sidewalk due to bushes or trees that are obscure their view to the right and/or left. Yes, these would be hazardous for runners and walkers. However, by and large you are safer on the sidewalk than running in the bike lane.

I still disagree based on personal experience. Nothing is coming at me unexpected in the bike lane. Where if on the sidewalk every block and driveway is a potential of being hit.

Back in the Day wrote:

Are you serious? wrote:

But what kind of people are throwing things at people running? And more importantly, where? Are you living in savage world?

You obviously have never been out running in the 1970's.

Did people in the 70s hate runners?

lwood wrote:

What's more likely? A car "plowing you down" from behind or someone pulling out and not seeing you?

I don't know. Do you?

I have an anecdotal experience in that my friend was plowed down and killed from behind by a truck driving on the shoulder. Driver was texting. I don't have any experience about anyone walking to their death into a car that pulls out in front of them.

Truth Bomber wrote:

lwood wrote:

What's more likely? A car "plowing you down" from behind or someone pulling out and not seeing you?

I don't know. Do you?

I have an anecdotal experience in that my friend was plowed down and killed from behind by a truck driving on the shoulder. Driver was texting. I don't have any experience about anyone walking to their death into a car that pulls out in front of them.

I sure do. As I said above, personal experience: cars driving with other cars in a straight line can see you perfectly fine. Not to mention the bike lane as lines. Cars coming out of alleys and making turns can not.

lwood wrote:

I sure do. As I said above, personal experience: cars driving with other cars in a straight line can see you perfectly fine. Not to mention the bike lane as lines. Cars coming out of alleys and making turns can not.

That doesn't really add to your case. Drivers are notoriously bad at paying attention. You need to be looking out for you, and the only way you can do that is to see what's coming. You, obviously, are much more likely survive running into a car pulling out of an alley than a car running into you from behind.

Truth Bomber wrote:

lwood wrote:

I sure do. As I said above, personal experience: cars driving with other cars in a straight line can see you perfectly fine. Not to mention the bike lane as lines. Cars coming out of alleys and making turns can not.

That doesn't really add to your case. Drivers are notoriously bad at paying attention. You need to be looking out for you, and the only way you can do that is to see what's coming. You, obviously, are much more likely survive running into a car pulling out of an alley than a car running into you from behind.

I agree. You can see a car driving on the road. You can't see a car pulling out of an alley or around a corner. So yeah I'll keep using the bike lanes when it's not safe to be on the sidewalk.

lwood wrote:

Back in the Day wrote:

You obviously have never been out running in the 1970's.

Did people in the 70s hate runners?

There were people that would yell at you, throw things at you, swerve their car at you, open their pickup door at you as they drove by, All kinds of things. I had all of those things happen to me on numerous occasions in different cities in the USA.

Stay on the sidewalks wrote:

What is worse is when they run in the bike lane. The bike lane is for bikes. Stay out of it. It's more dangerous.

I pass more bikers than runners and walkers pass me, so I feel more than entitled to use the bike lines.

Maybe, if bikers ever collectively agree not to use roads when there are nearby bike paths I’ll consider changing my opinion.

On hills I'll often run on the right were cars go slower. On the downhill side they always speed so I avoid that, to hell with what they say, they wont be the ones dead.

Also around corners I always go on the "wrong side" because I know whos approaching from the rear. Running on the left side cars often come around the corner and are often surprised. They then veer off into the other lane and terrorize another motorist.

Runners its about self preservation, what ever is right or wrong you alive at the end of the day is the goal.

Sally Vix wrote:

Stay on the sidewalks wrote:

What is worse is when they run in the bike lane. The bike lane is for bikes. Stay out of it. It's more dangerous.

Bike lanes are ridiculous. Here in Houston we have "bike lanes" where it is just a painted line on the right side of the road. There is no physical barrier to protect the cyclist. You are supposed to ride in an unprotected 3 feet of the road with cars traveling 45 mph or even faster. Many of these roads have heavy traffic as well.

So what's your solution?

Free_the_thigh wrote:

Stay on the sidewalks wrote:

What is worse is when they run in the bike lane. The bike lane is for bikes. Stay out of it. It's more dangerous.

I pass more bikers than runners and walkers pass me, so I feel more than entitled to use the bike lines.

Maybe, if bikers ever collectively agree not to use roads when there are nearby bike paths I’ll consider changing my opinion.

That would be great! Build more bike paths. Build more bike paths that are going to where I need to go. Oh wait, that's going to cost how much money to do so? Let's vote on it. What, the vote didn't pass? We can't build more bike paths? I guess I'm stuck riding out on the road again hoping that "Free the thigh" doesn't feel that he needs to run me over in his entitled car on a road that I also pay taxes for.

Back in the Day wrote:

lwood wrote:

Did people in the 70s hate runners?

There were people that would yell at you, throw things at you, swerve their car at you, open their pickup door at you as they drove by, All kinds of things. I had all of those things happen to me on numerous occasions in different cities in the USA.

Was this just specific to you or to most runners??? I don't get it, why??