There must be a problem with sidewalks that I'm not aware of. I came into my 'hood this morning and a husband and wife were pushing a baby stroller IN THE STREET even though there were sidewalks. Of course they were in my lane and cars were coming the other way so I waited so I could swing out to the other lane. Why would you not use the sidewalk?

 

I often see runners doing the same thing. Get out of the darn road, chief.

 

Just me?

We have a guy in town rides one of those three wheeled bikes where you're basically lying on the ground with your legs out in front. He insists on riding right up the middle of the lane at about five m.p.h., holding up untold numbers of cars behind him.

No excuse for people blocking traffic I hate that too, but many sidewalks are in disrepair and it would be hard to push a stroller on them and down right dangerous to try to run on them.

We have a guy in town rides one of those three wheeled bikes where you're basically lying on the ground with your legs out in front. He insists on riding right up the middle of the lane at about five m.p.h., holding up untold numbers of cars behind him.

Technically he should be in the road, but to the far right side of the lane to allow traffic to pass.

No excuse for people blocking traffic I hate that too, but many sidewalks are in disrepair and it would be hard to push a stroller on them and down right dangerous to try to run on them.

That is normally the case. People love new sidewalks but equally as important is investing in the upkeep of them. Tree roots and poor bases usually cause them to falter.

Technically he should be in the road, but to the far right side of the lane to allow traffic to pass.

That's the problem. He makes it really hard to pass him.

That stuff drives me nuts Clizzy. All the freaking kids in my neighborhood drive their bikes in the road when cars are flying by. One of the little idiots even hit me on his bike when I was running (on the sidewalk) he was in the street and was getting out of the way from a car.

Annoying. It's also annoying when cyclists are on the sidewalk and I have to find a way to squeeze by.

Driving through Newport (I have to because of all the mess on 471 and its extremely difficult to get on from where I work) I see the craziest stuff in the street. I hate it.

Clyde, I follow you all the way on this one. We have a lady living the neighborhood and she walks her dogs every morning and evening, right down the middle of the road. And the funny things is, when you pull up behind her she makes no effort to get out of the way. Keeps on strolling along. That irritates the crap out of me, there are two perfectly good sidewalks on both sides of the road.

Most sidewalks are 4'. Side by side walking really requires at least a 5' or wider width. So people use the street. Not great. Especially on a well used street.

Clyde, I follow you all the way on this one. We have a lady living the neighborhood and she walks her dogs every morning and evening, right down the middle of the road. And the funny things is, when you pull up behind her she makes no effort to get out of the way. Keeps on strolling along. That irritates the crap out of me, there are two perfectly good sidewalks on both sides of the road.

 

Lay on the horn! Of course if she knows where you live she might leave you some doggie delights in your yard.

Streets are smooth. Sidewalks are bumpy with all the grooves even when they are new. Baby can't sleep if it is bumpy.

I feel your pain, Clyde. The area I live in has generously sized sidewalks, yet almost every morning I encounter a jogger in the street somewhere. In my neighborhood, most of the streets are not sized generously, most people don't have driveways so street parking is the norm, and even though the streets are 2-way, only 1 car at a time can get through. And getting behind a jogger or having one appear wearing dark clothing is enough to get my adrenaline pumping.

 

As someone who walks my dog twice daily, I always step aside with my dog if I encounter a jogger. I can't understand the need to put oneself in the path of vehicles for the sake of not encountering others or curbs. If that's what they want, there are several parks with fantastic running lanes/tracks. In my 'hood, Cherokee Park has miles of running lanes that are as wide as driving lanes....because that's what they used to be!

Annoying. It's also annoying when cyclists are on the sidewalk and I have to find a way to squeeze by.

 

I get told a few times a week to get on the sidewalk.