TimFountain

I nearly ran someone over this morning, swerving at the last minute to avoid them (man and woman running side by side) as I rounded a bend in the development where I live.

I don't get it, there is a perfectly good sidewalk/kerb right next to them, wide and smooth, but wherever I see people running, they are on the road, with cars swerving and slowing to avoid them.

Not being a runner, I have no idea what is wrong with the sidewalks.... or is it just another unfathomable thing that we just need to shrug our shoulders, scratch our heads and say whatever?


- Tim

Celsius

What time of day was this? In the dark? Housing developments tend to have a lower speed limit (than city speed limits). If you were going the speed limit, surely you would've seen the runners?

TimFountain

Nah, it was daylight, I was doing less than the limit (by 0.3 MPH), they were way out in the road and oblivious to traffic (yakking) on a fairly sharp bend, wind was calm, road surface dry, I was not drunk and I had my headlights on. I'll go back and take some pictures if you want.... No wait, that wasn't the question, it was about why do people run in the road?
I'm not saying it was close, but I just don't understand why. Thanks for asking about my adherence to speed limits though, the cops in the neighborhood were all at dunking donuts this morning.

Yosser

Seeing that your Austin, they seem to be a heathy bunch down there, my last trip there, I must of been a couple thousand cyclists and joggers around (well it was a saturday morning and some sort of race going on).

Where I am, there are hardly any pavements, I tried to cycle to work once, I felt like most people wanted to hit me, rather than go around me, so had to knock that on the head.

AdobePinon

Careful, there. You've given Celsius more than enough probable cause. I just heard you admit hanging out at Drunken Donuts and driving away under the influence.

Rompers

I run on the road because there aren't any sidewalks where I live but only around the neighbourhood where the speed limit is 25mph.

scrubbedexpat097

Rete

Just curious. Isn't there a school track close enough that you can go there for your run or perhaps a state park with a track or a college? Why does anyone have to run on city streets, curbs or roads is beyond me when it is just as easy and safer to use the tracks set up for that purpose.

Rompers

No. Plus I like to run from my front door. I should explain I'm talking about running around a sub-division. The streets are also used by kids riding bikes and playing and the traffic crawls round at 20 mph.

At this time of year I run on a treadmill as it's too hot outside but its nice to run in the fresh air when I can.

Hiro11

I run about 30 miles a week. Running on a track is so boring that it's not worth doing unless it's a speed workout. State parks are good for running but then you've usually got the time and hassle of getting in the car and driving to wherever you're running. Generally, it's much easier to just go out your front door and start running.

Having said that, I definitely stick to sidewalks and bike paths in my area. This isn't a problem where I live.

Rushman

How do you know? After 5 days you'd be 150 miles away!!

Bob

There's a lot of runners around here, local highschool has a half decent running team apparently, but most of the kids run on the road, and there is, surprisingly, pavements in this town....also notice cyclists, when you see them, on the wrong side of the road, except this one bloke who always looks stoned

snowbunny

Oi Tim do you have a red pickup licence 1 4 ZULU? There were UK and England stickers on said car.

Gave me an excuse to explain Zulu time to Toon.

I think asphalt "gives" more than concrete, and the road tends to go in a straighter line than the sidewalks in my own suburban neighbourhood, where curves are "in."

Bob

that's what good shoes are for, and if there running for exercise, wonky pavements should be what there looking for surely?

snowbunny

you nuts? all that does is jar your "suspension" -- ie your knees mainly.