Park Life - which side of the path?

Hamsterchops · 30-03-2020 11:24am #1

A question about walking in the park (on the path).

So now that so many are out and about in the parks on foot, or jogging, pushing a pram or cycling, what's the etiquette as to which side you stay on?

Do you keep to the left or right?

I was out for a jog in Blackrock park last week (I tried to keep left) but everybody coming towards me was also on the left, so I gave up and stayed right!

Is this a new thing or was it always this way?

Maybe there's no etiquette and you just meander on paths?

What say you?

Atlantic Dawn · 30-03-2020 11:25am

Everyone should stay left side in a country driving on the left. That's how the trains run, most escalators etc.

biko · 30-03-2020 11:27am

I myself walk on the left, but it's not uncommon for people to walk on the right.
Why right, god knows..

There used to be a rule that if you walk on a road you should walk so you are facing the oncoming traffic. Perhaps this still sticks when people walk on the footpath.

Hamsterchops · 30-03-2020 11:29am

Interesting .....

I thought it was the left, that's why I'm surprised as to how many 85% approx walking on the right!

Thoie · 30-03-2020 11:33am

My local greenway has "keep left, pass right" signs posted every so often along the entire route, with handy diagrams. People still don't follow it.

Hamsterchops · 30-03-2020 11:35am

Thoie wrote: »

My local greenway has "keep left, pass right" signs posted every so often along the entire route, with handy diagrams. People still don't follow it.

Hey, where is that if you don't mind me asking.

I'd like some of those signs for our park.

Rodney Bathgate · 30-03-2020 11:35am

Left is right.

SQ2 · 30-03-2020 11:36am

Left would be the obvious side I would have thought, then overtake right as per road rules. Cycling along canal banks I've seen couples walking taking both sides of the path then when I ring my bell they BOTH swap sides ending up walking into each other ðŸ˜.
Another lady who was walking on the right with her buggy whilst I cylcled left decided to do a blind u turn right in to my path! Panic faces all-round!

Poochie05 · 30-03-2020 11:37am

I think whoever is facing oncoming traffic should be closest to the edge of the path.

Hamsterchops · 30-03-2020 11:39am

Poochie05 wrote: »

I think whoever is facing oncoming traffic should be closest to the edge of the path.

You mean when on a path (in a park) walk on the left.

Poochie05 · 30-03-2020 11:43am

Hamsterchops wrote: »

You mean when on a path (in a park) walk on the left.

Yes., keep left. I’m speculating on the logic for that, talking about on a footpath with a road running beside it. The people closest to the edge will have a view of traffic coming their way and know if it’s safe to step out if there’s not enough room.

Hamsterchops · 30-03-2020 11:48am

So we need some signage in our local park, maybe some arrows painted on the path, or stand alone signage, otherwise it's a 'free for all' with people, joggers, cyclists & prams going any which way

Del2005 · 30-03-2020 11:55am

Thoie wrote: »

My local greenway has "keep left, pass right" signs posted every so often along the entire route, with handy diagrams. People still don't follow it.

They could do with them on our roads. Was dropping supplies to my parents yesterday and even though the M50 was empty the morons kept to the middle lane.

A lot of companies have a keep right policy for their staff, especially foreign head quartered ones, that could be part of the issue. Along with a lot of people being morons, look how they didn't do social distancing.

Thoie · 30-03-2020 11:57am

Hamsterchops wrote: »

Hey, where is that if you don't mind me asking.

I'd like some of those signs for our park.

It's the Passage Railway greenway in Cork. I'll grab a photo next time I'm allowed out for exercise

They look like this - the one here is advising cyclists to ring their bell. There's a few different ones - ring your bell, watch dog leads, keep left pass right, one or two others that I can't remember off the top of my head.

https://www.google.ie/maps/@51.8955737,-8.3926494,3a,50.3y,352.53h,69.64t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1sAF1QipMKu0vlWBJdpFEZS3i7gcPT-juNFrRrYFgkoPZf!2e10!3e11!7i3840!8i1920

I've heard some people complain about cyclists ringing their bells, but I like it when they do. A quick ding ding is good warning that someone's coming up fast behind you. Haven't heard anyone doing it aggressively.

Thoie · 30-03-2020 12:00pm

Hamsterchops wrote: »

So we need some signage in our local park, maybe some arrows painted on the path, or stand alone signage, otherwise it's a 'free for all' with people, joggers, cyclists & prams going any which way

I've occasionally thought of chalking arrows on the path for the benefit of idiots, but I'd need a lot of chalk, and a good back!

jack presley · 30-03-2020 12:01pm

Hamsterchops wrote: »

A question about walking in the park (on the path).

So now that so many are out and about in the parks on foot, or jogging, pushing a pram or cycling, what's the etiquette as to which side you stay on?

Do you keep to the left or right?

I was out for a jog in Blackrock park last week (I tried to keep left) but everybody coming towards me was also on the left, so I gave up and stayed right!

Is this a new thing or was it always this way?

Maybe there's no etiquette and you just meander on paths?

What say you?

Do you pass many who insist on sticking to the middle of the path and make no effort to move to either side when you approach? I'm meeting loads of them!

fryup · 30-03-2020 12:02pm

for me its simple - if someone is walking towards you and is coughing & sneezing....then wide berth and feck which side of the path

30-03-2020 12:05pm

On a road without a footpath I walk on the right so you are facing oncoming cars - I would apply the same rule when on a path for consistency.

lughan · 30-03-2020 12:07pm

My instinct is always to walk on the right as that's what you do when on a road with no path (i.e. walk against traffic). In parks I would do the same because of bikes. I don't want anything coming up behind me at speed, especially if it can be difficult to hear like a bike.

Thoie · 30-03-2020 12:08pm

Deleted User wrote: »

On a road without a footpath I walk on the right so you are facing oncoming cars - I would apply the same rule when on a path for consistency.

I do the same when walking on country roads with no footpath, but on a dedicated pedestrian/cycle way that includes signage, I keep left like it says. I like consistency, but I can distinguish the two different circumstances.

For the same reason if I'm driving in France I don't drive on the left "for consistency".

Hamsterchops · 30-03-2020 12:16pm

Deleted User wrote: »

On a road without a footpath I walk on the right so you are facing oncoming cars - I would apply the same rule when on a path for consistency.

But that is not the tradition in Ireland.

Tradition says that when on a path (not connected to the road) then you walk, push a pram or cycle on the left.

A different rule applies to walking on the roads, where you always walk (towards) and on the same side as oncoming traffic.

Liam28 · 30-03-2020 1:25pm

Hamsterchops wrote: »

But that is not the tradition in Ireland.

Tradition says that when on a path (not connected to the road) then you walk, push a pram or cycle on the left.

A different rule applies to walking on the roads, where you always walk (towards) and on the same side as oncoming traffic.

No, drive or cycle on the left, walk or run on the right. It is not walk on the left some places, and on the right in others.

Hamsterchops · 30-03-2020 2:56pm

Liam28 wrote: »

No, drive or cycle on the left, walk or run on the right. It is not walk on the left some places, and on the right in others.

So when on the path (in the park) you say, always walk or run on the right. :cool:

Hamsterchops · 30-03-2020 3:17pm

Liam28 can you please tell us how you came about this theory, as it seems to be at odds with most contributors on here.

Thanks in advance.

Zebra3 · 30-03-2020 5:16pm

Del2005 wrote: »

A lot of companies have a keep right policy for their staff, especially foreign head quartered ones, that could be part of the issue.

Yeah, some American companies here keep with the policy that they have on their sites back in the US.

Shouldn't be beyond people though to keep left when in public.

And for any couples/families to keep to single file when somebody is passing, bit of courtesy wouldn't go amiss. :rolleyes:

30-03-2020 5:55pm

Hamsterchops wrote: »

But that is not the tradition in Ireland.

Tradition says that when on a path (not connected to the road) then you walk, push a pram or cycle on the left.

A different rule applies to walking on the roads, where you always walk (towards) and on the same side as oncoming traffic.

What is tradition though?
You say walking on the left in the park is tradition but you were walking against the flow so your conclusion is that everyone else was wrong?

It sounds like the old joke where a man asks his friend if he saw the lunatic driving on the wrong side of the dual carriageway that morning.
His friend answers there wasn't just one there were hundreds of them.

Hamsterchops · 30-03-2020 6:49pm

Deleted User wrote: »

What is tradition though?
You say walking on the left in the park is tradition but you were walking against the flow so your conclusion is that everyone else was wrong?

It sounds like the old joke where a man asks his friend if he saw the lunatic driving on the wrong side of the dual carriageway that morning.
His friend answers there wasn't just one there were hundreds of them.

Well then I guess myself Hamsterchops, Atlantic Dawn, SQ2, Thoie, Poochie05, Zebra3 are good old fashioned traditionalists

Left right whatever you're having yourself ...

Would be nice to have a bit of conformity though.

Caquas · 30-03-2020 10:13pm

Most paths in parks and most footpaths are not wide enough for people to pass while both stay on the the path. Someone has to get off the path to keep 2 metres distance.

On a public roadway the person facing the oncoming traffic should get off the path, all else being equal. This evening I met only a few walkers who understood this. And a lot of people ignored the golden rule which applies in all cases - when someone yields to you, acknowledge this courtesy. A simple nod will do.

Otherwise, you’re just an arrogant pr**k who thinks the world bows to you. Sadly, not uncommon in Ireland these days.

Urethral Buttercup · 30-03-2020 11:52pm

I walk on the the right. Everyone else can walk on the dark side of the moon for all I care.

Blitzkrieger · 31-03-2020 12:33pm

Hamsterchops wrote: »

Do you keep to the left or right?

Yes. It kinda depends on the situation. If we all seem a bit unsure I try to just look where I'm going and we usually sort ourselves out.

In Western Europe we tend to pass on the right of people coming towards us when walking, so most places kind of stick to this informal rule. It gets complicated by some parks/greenways (especially when there's cyclists involved) posting 'keep left' signs, which goes against people's natural bias. It's further complicated by non-nationals, because Eastern Europeans (and Asians iirc) tend to pass on the left. I'll have another little rant below, but I think we should all agree to one rule - pass on the left. Hopefully in time it'll start to feel natural.

Actually sod the rant - I'll just say the 'pass on the right' bias doesn't always seem to work, and watch out for kids and dopes who don't look where they're going.

Rufeo · 31-03-2020 3:11pm

Hamsterchops wrote: »

A question about walking in the park (on the path).

So now that so many are out and about in the parks on foot, or jogging, pushing a pram or cycling, what's the etiquette as to which side you stay on?

Do you keep to the left or right?

I was out for a jog in Blackrock park last week (I tried to keep left) but everybody coming towards me was also on the left, so I gave up and stayed right!

Is this a new thing or was it always this way?

Maybe there's no etiquette and you just meander on paths?

What say you?

I also find this very disorienting. I drive on the left and I walk on the left. I don't know why people coming towards me on the road seem to walk on their right. I don't think it's any safer to be honest.

kowloon · 31-03-2020 3:18pm

Atlantic Dawn wrote: »

Everyone should stay left side in a country driving on the left. That's how the trains run, most escalators etc.

I live in the country where there's no path, so I've always been told to walk in the opposite direction so I can see oncoming traffic and keep in as it passes.

31-03-2020 3:24pm

Back in my dim and distant childhood out in the countryside, we were taught to walk on the right, facing oncoming vehicles. Wheels left, legs right. Does that still not count?

Thoie · 31-03-2020 4:12pm

kowloon wrote: »

I live in the country where there's no path, so I've always been told to walk in the opposite direction so I can see oncoming traffic and keep in as it passes.

Deleted User wrote: »

Back in my dim and distant childhood out in the countryside, we were taught to walk on the right, facing oncoming vehicles. Wheels left, legs right. Does that still not count?

That's still good advice on a country road with no footpath so you're facing oncoming traffic, but I think Hamsterchops is talking about dedicated pedestrian/cycle paths in parks/greenways etc. In many, but not all, cases, these places specifically have signs around saying keep left. There's usually far more foot traffic than on your local boreen, so having people wandering all over the place is more disruptive.

kowloon · 31-03-2020 5:36pm

Thoie wrote: »

That's still good advice on a country road with no footpath so you're facing oncoming traffic, but I think Hamsterchops is talking about dedicated pedestrian/cycle paths in parks/greenways etc. In many, but not all, cases, these places specifically have signs around saying keep left. There's usually far more foot traffic than on your local boreen, so having people wandering all over the place is more disruptive.

I get you, but wouldn't it be simpler if the dedicated walk side was the same on footpaths or roads? Combining cycle paths and pedestrian paths might be confusing.

PsychoPete · 31-03-2020 5:38pm

I treat footpaths like the m50, I just stay in the middle then just cut across everyone

Hamsterchops · 31-03-2020 9:38pm

Deleted User wrote: »

Back in my dim and distant childhood out in the countryside, we were taught to walk on the right, facing oncoming vehicles. Wheels left, legs right. Does that still not count?

Yes indeed, that still counts & makes total sense when walking on a country road with no footpath....

But this thread is about park paths, those paths that wind their way through public parks, four to five feet wide, no cars, just prams, walkers, joggers, skateboarders & cyclists.

Pythagorean · 31-03-2020 10:28pm

I find this walking on the right very prevalent in parks, particularly. I walk as if I am driving, ie, on the left, and there is a constant stream of walkers and joggers coming straight at me, and they expect me to get out of their way, as if I am somehow in the wrong. I was on a mountain walk recently, and there were mountain bikers coming towards me at speed, also on the right.

AllForIt · 31-03-2020 10:36pm

Rodney Bathgate wrote: »

Left is right.

Left is the new Right

Thoie · 01-04-2020 9:36am

kowloon wrote: »

I get you, but wouldn't it be simpler if the dedicated walk side was the same on footpaths or roads? Combining cycle paths and pedestrian paths might be confusing.

Well, on a country road with no footpath, you don't always stay on the right - for example when approaching a bend you're supposed to move left - it's all about staying visible to traffic. In some places there might be a path on one side of the road or not the other. In some places there might be a solid wall on one side of the road, but a nice wide grass verge on the other that you could step into. So I'd suggest that the dedicated walk side is "keep left", but that you adapt, if necessary, to your surroundings.

In parks/greenways, there's generally nothing you need to adapt for, so should keep left.

JustAThought · 01-04-2020 12:49pm

Most park pathways do not have the space for a 6 foot wide berth between the person walking and the oncoming person or family -the lack of basic courtesy is shocking. everyone should make an effort to move the safe distance away which in most cases means stopping and stepping off the path. This includes joggers gasping for breath who think the pathway is their person heavy breathing close distance personal running circut -the selfishness is really shocking.MOVE AWAY.

01-04-2020 12:54pm

Rufeo wrote: »

I also find this very disorienting. I drive on the left and I walk on the left. I don't know why people coming towards me on the road seem to walk on their right. I don't think it's any safer to be honest.

https://www.rsa.ie/en/RSA/Pedestrians-and-Cyclists/Pedestrian-safety/
Walking on the right puts the pedestrian facing oncoming traffic. It doubles the opportunities for people to react if necessary as both the driver and pedestrian has a chance of seeing each other. Walking on the left means that traffic is approaching from behind the pedestrian and it is harder for them to see and react to you if necessary.

Pythagorean wrote: »

I find this walking on the right very prevalent in parks, particularly. I walk as if I am driving, ie, on the left, and there is a constant stream of walkers and joggers coming straight at me, and they expect me to get out of their way, as if I am somehow in the wrong. I was on a mountain walk recently, and there were mountain bikers coming towards me at speed, also on the right.

So again there is a constant stream of people coming against you but they are the ones in the wrong?

Hamsterchops · 02-04-2020 12:27am

Well this thread really sums up what I've discovered in recent weeks in my local park, and that is that anything goes!

Walk on the left, walk on the right, walk in the centre, there is no code for such footpaths, and if there ever was it's long been forgotten or muddled.

I was genuinely curious at the beginning of this thread to see if there was an unwritten rule as to which side one should walk, jog etc, but it seems that it doesn't really matter

Many posters talking about country road etiquette, whereby if there is no footpath one should always walk on the right against the flow of traffic (so that you can see them, & they can see you). This thread however is not about such roads.

Let's hope for more clear dry weather so that we can use our open spaces while this blasted virus continues to run it's course.

Park Life - which side of the path?

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