7 etiquette tips for multi-use paths
September 8th, 2008 by Barb
What are the rules of the road when a path is used by walkers, runner, cyclists and bladers? It’s a subject that’s near and dear to my heart—and not just because of my recent run-in with a dog walker who called me an “a**hole.”
Having piqued your curiosity, I suppose I have to flesh out that story a bit. I was running on a gravel path in a park, and a couple and their dog were cutting across the grass toward the path. The dog (we’ll call him Marmaduke) was on one of those leashes that extend and extend, unless the human pulls it back. Marmaduke’s humans looked right at me, turned away and let Marmaduke mosey across the path to the opposite side, thereby blocking the path with the leash.
Now, I often encounter people with these leashes who are, at best, oblivious and, at worst, totally inconsiderate (IMHO). In turn, I often cuss them in my head. On this day, however, as I ran in place while waiting for Marmaduke to be pulled back, I found myself thinking aloud: “God, you people with your damn extend-o leashes are sooooo annoying.” Honestly—I was surprised to hear it coming out of my mouth. Anyway, as I ran past, Marmaduke’s female human yelled at me, “You’re an a**hole.”
You can see why this article about “trail etiquette” caught my eye. Besides the matter of simple consideration, it’s a genuine safety issue on multi-use paths. I know that collisions on the lakefront path in Chicago have resulted in death; that has probably happened elsewhere, too.
The article cites some familiar types: “The guy with a leash in each hand allowing his dogs to frolic in opposite directions; the cyclist gabbing on her cellphone; the parent pushing a monster-size stroller smack dab in the middle of the trail; and the birder who stops abruptly (and repeatedly) for a better look.” One columnist reported seeing a guy roller-blading in headphones, pushing a baby stroller with a dog leashed to the stroller.
We’d all be safer if we applied some simple rules of the road:
- stay to your right
- pass on the left and announce your approach (”On your left!”)
- keep your music or podcasts at a reasonable volume so you can hear others approach
- check your blind-spots regularly and always check before changing direction
- never travel more than two abreast and avoid meandering—others should be able to get around you without being forced off the path
- keep your dogs on the same side of the path that you’re on so their leashes don’t block anyone coming toward you from the front or behind
- keep your children near you—I can’t tell you how many times I’ve seen kids almost run over on the bike path here, as they charge across it from the parking lot to the beach, heedless of path traffic
Any other suggestions?
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September 8th, 2008 at 10:07 pm
I run in an area that switches between a pedestrian/bike path and a road that allows cars. A rule to keep in mind is when you are on a pedestrian/bike path, you should stay on the right side of the path. When on a “path” that allows car traffic, you should be on the left side of the road so you can see the oncoming vehicle traffic.
Another is that if you have to stop, get off the path if at all possible. If it’s not possible, look around you and make sure that you won’t trip anyone up when you stop to tie your shoes!
September 8th, 2008 at 10:15 pm
Great points. I especially like that one about getting off the path!
September 8th, 2008 at 10:17 pm
Right on, Heather. The path I use does not allow motor vehicles. Still, I regular encounter people walking on the left-hand side. This often creates an awkward shuffle as one or both of us moves toward the center of the path, a potential hazard, especially when visibility is impeded by a curve in the path.
September 9th, 2008 at 4:48 pm
One other: Yield when you can. These paths are narrow and they get crowded. Be polite, and even if you think you’re “in the right,” yield to a faster person working out.
I’m a runner, and I’ve had cyclists practically kill me. I’ve also had walkers walking three or more abreast, chatting and refusing to move aside, forcing me off the path when it would have been easy for one of them to move over for just a moment.
I’m a dog owner (with extendo-mendo leashes!) and have struggled when my dogs decided that trees in opposite directions were must-pees. And because they like people and like to run, when they see a runner it is always a struggle to keep them from going up to greet the runner (and wanting to run with him/her).
I’m a walker and have been screamed at by cyclists and runners for no other reason than being on the same path they use.
How often I have run the boardwalk from Venice Beach up to the totem pole in the park above Santa Monica pier and back, and had to dodge unthinking pedestrians/rollerbladers/cyclers/dogs/homeless people, and keep my training pace.
But it’s not just dogs and pedestrians. Runners are rude, too. Slower runners do not yield to faster ones, and they run in packs that block entire paths. I don’t know how many marathons I’ve spent the first couple miles dodging slow runners who should have started much farther back in the pack (even in Boston, with its rigorous corrall system), using valuable energy and losing precious minutes.
Through it all, I try not to dwell on it. People are people, and I’m not going to let any of them spoil a good run. I try not to think about how rude they are, and just treat them as part of the landscape to be negotiated. And I smile and wave and say “hi” to everyone I pass, whether they are rude or not.