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.

Park Life - which side of the path?

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