Now that is it dark in both the early morning and the early evening, runners have an increasing risk of getting hurt - tripping on uneven pavement or another object that is obscured by the shadows or getting hit by a car because you were obscured by the shadows. Just one of the woes of running outside in the fall/winter.
Luckily for me, I had plenty of sidewalks to run on with relatively sufficient lighting. However, I have encountered some very poor sidewalk etiquette. I thought that my days of dodging sprinklers would be over, but not only am I still trying to do that, I'm now doing it in the dark! Talk about shock when you don't expect the shot of water and it is already cold out! On top of that, I'm finding random objects scattered in the public space and cars blocking sidewalks that intersect with driveways. I get irritated every time that I have to jump off the sidewalk and run on the street. I cannot even tell you how many times I have almost gotten hit because drivers aren't expecting me - even though I am hugging the edge of the road.
But at least I can find camaraderie with other runners and walkers, right? Wrong. Instead, I stuck running into groups that are two abreast and refuse to stack themselves to pass by in the opposite direction. Or walkers that "pull" their dogs off to the side with just enough room for me to sneak by, then let their dogs lurch after me and get me on the heels. I'm serious about this.
So I have to wonder - is the sidewalk etiquette that I've always abided by universal? Is my region just as out of the loop about sidewalk procedures as they are about driving procedures (don't get get me started about how KCMO drivers think that the left lane is the slow lane...)? Here are a few of the rules of sidewalk (running path) etiquette that I have always used.
- Don't block a sidewalk with your car!
- Use "on your left" as a polite communication that you are getting ready to pass the person in front of you. Be certain to provide adequate time to allow the person to move over (i.e., don't sneak up on the person than shoot it really loud so that you scare them).
- When you hear someone say "on your left," move to your right ... not your left
- When running two or three abreast and you see someone coming in the opposite direction, stack yourselves in one line so that everyone can pass with enough space on the sidewalk/path.
- Do not run with your stroller in the center of the sidewalk/path and expect people to accommodate you. Just because you have a baby does not mean that you deserve more space.
- Do not play your music so loud that you cannot hear when someone politely says "on your left" to pass you.
- Be conscious of your surroundings before spitting or "farmer-blowing." The person behind you doesn't want to be a part of that.
- If you have to stop to tie your shoe, look over your right shoulder and move off to the side to tie your shoe out of the middle of traffic.
- If you see something in the path/sidewalk, pick it up so that others don't trip on it.
- If it is your sidewalk, don't leave stuff sitting in the middle of it. Keep it clean for runners and walkers.
- Be courteous with your dogs. Keep them on a short leash when on a crowded sidewalk and make sure to pick up their crap!
These are just a few of the rules to abide by. I am sure that there are plenty more. Seriously though, do people just not understand these or simply don't care to follow them and respect the etiquette of the sidewalk??? (Sorry for the rant...)
Right. On. This is all common courtesy and being aware of yourself. You also should not let your gardening spill over onto the sidewalk to the point that plants from either side are touching each other and the walker/runner has to put a hand up to keep them out of their eyes!
ReplyDeleteI completely agree with the gardening spilling over! I have definitely had my fair share of face scratches from trees and bushes that are overgrown.
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