>>> [EMAIL PROTECTED] 07/08/05 1:01 PM wrote: it seems that we could avoid much of this problem of passing pedestrians if we would follow the standard rules of the road--pedestrians should walk facing wheeled traffic. But for some reason, someone's come up with an opposite set of rules for mixed-use bikeways that pedestrians walk on the right.>>>
I have tried to explain the difference in rules or etiquette (there is no law regulating use of the paths) for pedestrians and bicyclists on roads versus on paths a number of times. I will try once more. The reason why pedestrians walk facing traffic on a street without sidewalks is because the pedestrian has very limited rights to use the roadway. Basically, while pedestrians can walk in the roadway when there are no sidewalks, the pedestrian has the primary responsibility to avoid a crash with a vehicle (motorized or not) on the roadway. The pedestrian walking in the street, "upon meeting a vehicle shall, if practicable, move to the extreme outer limit of the traveled portion of the highway." Most of the case law I have read on this issue essentially places the pedestrian at fault in a crash with a vehicle simply my virtue of the pedestrian being on the roadway. On a "shared use path" the pedestrian is no longer a second class user. the path is both street for the bicyclist and sidewalk for the pedestrian. As such, both have equal status. Faster users (skaters, bicyclists) have a greater responsibility to avoid crashes with slower users by slowing down and warning others before passing, and giving adequate clearance when passing and only passing if it is safe. The other reason for all path users traveling in the same direction is congestion or capacity. It really doesn't matter which side pedestrians walk on when total use of the path is low, but as usage by all modes increases, having all users travel in the same direction creates the smoothest flows for all users. That said, I have had to stop on the path when the only other users in sight were a mom and a two kids. The kids were zigzagging in all directions and I could not predict where they would go next. I'm not complaining about the kids, they had a right to use the path and I had a responsibility to protect their safety. I'm just trying to make the point that predictability helps to smooth the flow and it does not take much unpredictability to cause significant congestion so to speak. Think of the Capitol Square. During the week you can walk around the Capitol in either direction. But during the Farmers Market the vast majority of people all walk in the same direction (counter clockwise, or on the right). The few pedestrians who walk around the Farmers Market clockwise make it more difficult for everyone else under the congested conditions. Finally, think of it this way, asking pedestrians to walk on the left on the paths is like asking bicyclists to ride facing traffic on the street. It's a lot safer to ride with traffic and require drivers of motor vehicles to pass us safely by slowing down if necessary, waiting for a safe place to pass, etc. I hope this helps. Arthur Ross Pedestrian-Bicycle Coordinator _______________________________________________ Bikies mailing list [email protected] http://www.danenet.org/mailman/listinfo/bikies
