Which side of the path should runners and cyclists be on as they approach each other?

Question

I was riding my bike yesterday and approached two separate runners who did not move from their left side of the road. Shouldn't everyone be on the right side and pass on the left. If you have a link to an etiquette page that discusses this topic, please include in your response. Thanks!

I should add that one of the runners said something like "I'm going uphill". Does this make a difference?

Answer 1

If everyone sticks to their right, life should be good. However, I have often met runners (and cyclist) who don't hew to this convention. I've found it best to slow or even stop until everyone figures out where everyone else is going. Also, you need to keep in mind you are moving much faster and are capable of really freaking a runner out. So, be a good trail citizen and slow down.

Here is a piece from a San Diego mountain biking club that I think encapsulates common cycling guidelines:

http://sdmba.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=43

Answer 2

Stick to the right and life will be good (everywhere except the UK).

As M R stated as well, a majority of the bike paths in Michigan have lines down the middle and rules posted at the start of the trail. I have taught my 4 1/2 year old son to shout "excuse me, coming through" when we are coming up behind people going slower than us. In saying that, I have also taught him that the bike paths are used by others, not just bikes so, we have to keep the speed at a safe and respectable level.

Ride free my friend!

Answer 3

In North America, the consensus is to ride (or walk, or run) on the right ... and move to pass by going to the left.

Right and left are determined by the direction the traveler is facing, by the way.

In re-reading your question, two more of my own come to mind immediately.

1) With the advent of the personal stereo (walkman, radio, MP3 player, iPod, etc), a lot of exercisers are opting to use headphones or earbuds to listen to music while being involved in outdoor activity. This means that you, as the one going faster, needs to make sure they hear you coming (BEFORE you're right on top of them) ... either by ringing a bell, blowing a whislte, or simply calling out. My question to you (since they didn't move) is: Did you indicate you were catching up to them?

2) You also pointed out that they were already on your left as your approached them (presumably from the rear). Was there some reason you couldn't simply pass them on the right? It isn't proper etiquette (for either party), but it does get you past the slower traffic.

Finally - going up a hill is no reason to be on the other side of the path. You don't get into the oncoming traffic lane when climbing a hill in your car ... why should you do so when walking/running/biking?

Answer 4

In the US stay to the right. Uphill or down? - what the heck diff is that? NONE the guy's just a moron.

Most all paved trails in Michigan have a center line AND signs stating stay right. It's also very natural to stay right just as we drive - second nature for the mentally capable.

Of course slow down when encountering misfits, whomever is wrong is one thing no reason to get hurt for though.

Even though many riders ride fast on the trails, basic road rules make everyone safe. Even if riding hard I always slow down when kids or big groups are encountered. Yes, I know it's a "BIKE" trail, we get harassed on the road and trails.

Just try to chill a little about it. Not everyone is into being a good citizen.

Answer 5

Always stay to your right, whether walking, running, or riding. Unless you're a Brit.

Anything else just confuses everybody, increases closing speed, and leads to collisions.

I have the problem all the time, mostly with groups. Marathon training groups, cross country teams, boy scouts on bikes, dork walkers. Usually they're yapping and not paying attention. I do my best to pre-empt confusion. When overtaking, I announce "on your left" and for larger groups "stay to your right". Some are annoyed, but I don't really care. Better annoyed than involved, entangled, and injured. Thanks to ipods, even that doesn't always work. I've had to pull within inches, lean over my bars and tap a shoulder on occasion.

You wouldn't think it would be necessary when approaching, but "oblivious in public" seems to be nearing epidemic proportions lately. In that case I repeat loudly "heads up" and "stay to your right" until I'm clear of the group grope.

Here's another thought from the running side of me. When I hear "on your left" behind me, I wave my left hand so the cyclist knows I'm aware and its safe to pass.

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Note to cyclist451: All the paths I ride in Illinois have signs posted indicating EVERYONE stays to the right, single file. Cyclists, pedestrians, everyone. Of course, not everyone can read.

Note to Cantexan: I understand the person overtaking has the responsibility to pass safely, and I take that seriously. I'm also seriously annoyed that so many people choose to use headphones. Its true the headphones don't block sound, but some people get so lost in their own little musical podiverse that they don't respond to external stimuli. That's fine if they're running and stay to the right. Often as not, its some dope on a bike meandering all over the place that I CAN'T pass safely. I've announced 3 and 4 times beginning 50 yards back, and these morons don't hear me until I'm on top of them yelling at the top of my lungs "ON YOUR LEFT" . Then they startle, freak, and get pissed off. "Gee, you don't have to yell".

Note to Ohiojeff: I hammer when and where I can. Truthfully, I prefer biking on a path, because these same morons are out on the highway in SUV's yapping on the phone and not looking where they're going. I'd rather deal with them when they don't outweigh me by 2 tons.

Answer 6

Pedestrians, including runners, walk/run against traffic. Cyclists are under the same rules of the road as a motor vehicle, so they go with traffic. So, if the runners were approaching you then they were on the correct side of the road. I do not expect a runner to move over for me (even if there is a sidewalk). I assume that when you say they should have moved to the right, you mean move out toward the traffic lane to allow you to pass closer to the curb. While that sometimes happens, and has some advantages in that they can see approaching traffic, I do not expect it. In addition the cyclist is like a car, you do not expect pedestrians to move right (toward the traffic lane) for a car. When I see a runner I plan ahead and ease to my left a bit to give us room to pass. If things are tight with traffic most runners will also try to accomodate by moving up onto the curb (if there is one).

If, on the other hand you do come up on a runner or walker going with traffic (on the wrong side of the road for them), then as you approach them you should indicate that you are passing by saying "on your left." Be sure to give them as much room as possible. I also try to say this far enoug ahead just in case they move left instead of staying on the line of travel they were on or moving to the right.

As far as the runner going up hill, that has no bearing on the issue (it does with driving cars and who has to yield on a oneway road, but not pedestrians).

To my knowledge, there are few if any states that have laws requiring pedestrians to walk on the left side of the road, it is just a common safety practice. All states require bicyles to ride on the right side.

Hopefully I understood your situation and gave you a clear enough anwer.

Happy Cycling

Answer 7

Many paths have speed restrictions in place. Most are set up to mirror the road systems- slower traffic should be on the edges, faster traffic in the center.

Many state laws require you to verbally announce your presence as you approach and plan to pass.

Answer 8

In the UK the 'Rule of the Road' clearly states , Keep Left!

I have had to cough loudly on many occasions, when out and about, usually at joggers, or sometimes THE most arrogant of road users, - Horse riders!

Answer 9

yeah they should be on the right. and they should move right if you warn them you are coming, just as you should move right if someone is passing you. i dont know of anythign in writing, it is just kind of common sense really. the problem is you always have people with different ideas and that is where conflict comes in, like the people who ride thier bikes into oncoming trafic instead of going with it.

also a path isnt hammer time in my book. i have a personal rule that i dont leave the small chainring on a path. i go there to recover and spin. if i want to fly there are safer places than a bike path.

Answer 10

Unless you are from Great Britain the natural tendency should be to move to your right when confronted with oncoming traffic of any kind.