Submitted by Ken Witkoe.
My wife and I are avid walkers – have been for decades. Our neighborhood is generally pretty quiet, and we can walk in areas that include trees and mild hiking paths to relatively busy neighborhood thoroughfares. Virtually no sidewalks exist where we walk, so we are creative to stay out of the way of traffic and have come accustom giving room to motorists as they return the favor.
There are many evenings that we walk and may encounter very few people. This pandemic (COVID19) has changed that. As we venture out now, we have seen some interesting things and greeted neighbors we have never seen before (the latter being rather sad, actually). In short, there are a lot more people out walking now (especially when the sun is high and bright) than we have ever experience before – at least in our neck of the woods. More walkers mean more people out some getting exercise – both mentally and physically.
Obviously, this is a positive. However, aside from getting more exercise and fending off bouts of cabin fever, there is another issue that may need to be addressed – especially during the social-distancing guidelines all of us are encouraged to maintain. This may seem petty – even meddling – to some, but I feel there are some walking/biking etiquette that needs revisiting. So, please bear with me. As I said before, in my neighborhood there are virtually no sidewalks. The general rules of the road are as such: pedestrians walking/jogging are supposed to walk on the side of the road facing traffic. Bike riders should ride with the traffic. Bike riders and walkers/joggers will predictively meet on the same side of the road, while walkers and joggers shouldn’t.
Petty or not, in the times we live, we may do well to adhere to correct walking etiquette. If we all do this, it will help eliminate unnecessary “contact”.
And, by the way, Boston is fining citizens for walking on the “wrong” side even on a sidewalk.
Be safe!
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Gary Turney says
Exactly right! This was a subject of discussion on the Nextdoor site, and I was amazed at how many people argued the reverse for both. With regards to bicycles, state law states that cyclists must ride with traffic, and are treated essentially as a motor vehicle. There is no state law governing walkers and runners, but it is always best to face traffic so you can see what’s coming.
Cynthia says
Bicyclists should follow the rules of the road. If you bike with children explain “Social Distancing”.
There is also an issue of showing respect by not forcing older residents off the sidewalk because you are not practicing “social distancing”. Six feet is minimal.
Don Doman says
Ken,
I had to first cheer as I read your article and then started humming Walk This Way . . .
www.youtube.com/watch?v=nM0Fl2MnV5Y
Your comments echo mine time after time as I drive and see people endangering their own lives as well as mine as they walk, ride bikes, and do just plain stupid . . . oh, excuse me for letting my emotions take over. Thankfully, I haven’t seen kids in traffic from electric scooters lately . . but people are walking and running where they shouldn’t be. Boston “Walking” fines work for me!!!!! Thanks for the advice, which probably won’t reach the right people, but all we can do is hope.
Don
Ken Witkoe says
Don,
I didn’t think much about Ted when I wrote this, but now I can’t get it out of my head! Thanks! lol
BTW, sounds like we need to create music video PSA. 🙂
Dave says
I would walk on the side of the road, facing oncoming traffic, solely for the reason that I want to be able to see the vehicle(s) swerving toward me due to the distracted driver(s).
Joseph Boyle says
Mr. Witcoe,
You are on target in several areas.
As to your declaration, and I quote in part, “This may seem petty – even meddling – to some,” those who cry petty and meddling, obviously have not picked up any injured and dead pedestrians and bicycle riders. Petty and meddling…No!
I cannot drive up Farwest Drive without thinking about the bike rider flowing in the same direction as traffic, who died obeying the law after being struck from behind. He had no chance. Had he faced traffic and saw it coming, it is at least possible he could have made a defensive move to escape death.
Gary and Dave above, have done a good job reporting on our state law related to direction of travel for both pedestrians and bike riders.
Setting state law to the side for a moment and replacing it with common sense, I have to agree with Dave. I have always preferred facing traffic to avoid the drivers I call the 4-Ds. The 4-Ds = (1) Drunk drivers, (2) Doper drivers, (3) Distracted drivers, (4) Demented drivers.
I added Demented driver to my list after knowing of a case where a driver struck a pedestrian on purpose because he took offense to the pedestrian’s body language.
I would think we could walk in opposite directions and still maintain the 6′ social distance or even the 25′ space by having those walking the wrong way step into the street when clear of traffic. While my theory makes sense, people can’t handle something that simple.
Because it is more likely Covid – 19 can take anyone of us out than being attacked by one of the 4-Ds. I am going to set my opinions to the side during Covid -19 and walk and ride as you suggest. Once we are past Covid – 19 I will return to facing traffic.
Thanks for your thought provoking letter.
Joseph Boyle
John Arbeeny says
The problems with riding a bicycle against rather than with traffic are two fold. It is impossible to ride according to the rules of the road if you’re headed in the wrong direction. Traffic signs are all pointed in the opposite direction for starters. Secondly, in the event of a collision the combined approach speeds of both oncoming vehicle and bicycle almost ensure a far worse injury to the bicyclist than if hit by an overtaking vehicle where collision speeds are actually reduced.
Joseph Boyle says
I for one, cannot argue with your points. Thanks for sharing your opinion.
Joseph Boyle
Ken Witkoe says
John, you are exactly right. And even though I see the logic of facing traffic so that you can be prepared to avoid it while you’re on a bike, the fact is bicyclists are considered motorists when it comes to road laws. And in case we haven’t noticed, ride out into the left hand turn in the middle of traffic. If bicyclists use the roadways like a car (state law) then they need to be going in the same direction.
Ken Witkoe says
Joe, I totally get you’re logic. However, I agree completely with John in that the damage can be much worse when two opposing forces collide then if they’re going in the same direction. That is not to say that there aren’t people that I have been injured, or worse, with current state laws. However, there are mishaps and crazy stuff can happen. I can imagine that pedestrians are also hurt by bicyclists riding on the wrong side of the street.
Be safe! 🙂
Kent says
In addition, bicycles belong on the roads traveling in the direction of traffic and should follow the rules of the road. Sidewalks are for pedestrians and the road is for cars and bikes.
P Rose says
Kent, thats not what state law says. Bicycles are permitted on sidewalks unless specificly prohibited by the governing municipality with signs posted to that effect.
Besides, how many parents are going to have their kids ride their bicycles in traffic lanes?
Gary Turney says
Joseph – with regard to the bikes, there is another reason for riding with traffic. Let’s say the car is traveling at 35 mph and the bike 10 mph. If the car hits the bike from behind, the relative speed between the two is 25 mph. If they hit head-on, the relative speed between the two is 45 mph. And since energy is a function of square of speed, the head-on collision is almost 4 times as deadly as the rear end collision.
The incident you cite about the cyclist being rear-ended is terribly sad, especially because he was doing everything correctly. You raise a good point about being able to see an oncoming vehicle when riding against traffic. But the laws, and the biking community, always suggest riding with traffic.
Joseph Boyle says
I appreciate your point of view. Well thought out points.
You have expanded my view of these issues.
Joseph Boyle
Shirley A Ritter says
Shirley
I’ve said forever that we don’t know what we don’t know.
This is an issue that I think is that many do not know the right way.
Growing up in the country taught me this at a young age. People who grew up with sidewalks may have never thought about the safety factor.
Thank you for bring this up.
Eric Chandler says
Joseph….please add one more “D” to that list….Don’t Give a Damn.
My Grandmother had another definition for this kind….Me, Myself, and I-er’s.
Other descriptives for this type of ne’er do well:
– Narcissistic
– Egocentric
– Self-Centered
– MY way or the Hi-way
……ad nauseum.
Ken Witkoe says
Thx, Don! Sounds like we need to make a video with Ted Nugent’s music bed on how to walk! What do you think? 🙂