# Do NOT walk on the bike path. **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [May 26, 2009, 4:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-not-walk-on-the-bike-path/497694 "2009-05-26T16:03:35Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Cisco](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ccd318/32.png) [@Cisco](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cisco)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2009, 6:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-not-walk-on-the-bike-path/497694/21 "2009-05-26T18:09:13Z")
> [@fachverwirrt](#): > > Just out of curiosity, who are the assholes in this equation? The joggers, roller-bladers and horses? The people who design multi-use paths? The fucking “Canadians” who have dedicated bike paths? Or just people in general (my choice)? Pay attention. The Canadians. They have what I want. ---
**Author:** ![fachverwirrt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/94ad74/32.png) [@fachverwirrt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fachverwirrt)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2009, 6:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-not-walk-on-the-bike-path/497694/22 "2009-05-26T18:12:28Z")
> [@Cisco](#): > > Pay attention. The Canadians. They have what I want. Ah. I see. Fucking Canadians. (Am I allowed to point out that the OP is in Minnesota?) ---
**Author:** ![Robot\_Arm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robot_arm/32/18280_2.png) [@Robot\_Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robot_Arm)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2009, 6:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-not-walk-on-the-bike-path/497694/23 "2009-05-26T18:13:51Z")
> [@Tom\_Scud](#): > > Also, while saying “On your left” to the person you’re about to pass is a good idea, it’s EVEN BETTER to say it BEFORE you’re three inches behind him/her. No matter how shiny the spandex you’re wearing is. Sometimes I have to say it a few times before they hear me through the ear buds. My personal record is four. ---
**Author:** ![Tamex](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ccd318/32.png) [@Tamex](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tamex)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2009, 6:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-not-walk-on-the-bike-path/497694/24 "2009-05-26T18:26:15Z")
> [@Cisco](#): > > How come you fucking Canadians get dedicated bike paths? _Every_ “bike” path here is actually a “multi-use” path, which means joggers, roller-bladers, and sometimes even _horses_ can use them. Assholes. “Canadians”. Hah! I’ve only seen the separate paths the OP is talking about in the city of Minneapolis. In the suburbs, the “bike” paths are multi-use for bikes, joggers, walkers, rollerblades, etc. (except for horses, though I do know of one with a separate parallel horse trail.) I suppose someone from the suburbs who comes into the city (or someone from a different city) might not immediately realize there is more than one trail. ---
**Author:** ![Claire\_Beauchamp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ec9cab/32.png) [@Claire\_Beauchamp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Claire_Beauchamp)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2009, 6:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-not-walk-on-the-bike-path/497694/25 "2009-05-26T18:27:24Z")
May I add? To joggers: Don’t jog in the street. Yes, I know it’s a nice smooth flat unbroken surface, but you’re a hazard. I can understand if there is no sidewalk and you are on the very shoulder of the road and you are aware of your surroundings. But when there is a sidewalk there is no excuse. Yes, I know it means you might have to dodge other pedestrians. By jogging in the street a couple of feet from the curb, though, you cause cars to have to veer into the lane of oncoming traffic to avoid you, especially when you don’t have the good sense to get over when a car is coming. Oh, and stop jogging in the bike lane, too. I don’t even bike and that pisses me off. ---
**Author:** ![Cisco](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ccd318/32.png) [@Cisco](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cisco)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2009, 6:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-not-walk-on-the-bike-path/497694/26 "2009-05-26T18:31:42Z")
> [@Claire\_Beauchamp](#): > > May I add? > > To joggers: Don’t jog in the street. Yes, I know it’s a nice smooth flat unbroken surface, but you’re a hazard. I can understand if there is no sidewalk and you are on the very shoulder of the road and you are aware of your surroundings. But when there is a sidewalk there is no excuse. Yes, I know it means you might have to dodge other pedestrians. By jogging in the street a couple of feet from the curb, though, you cause cars to have to veer into the lane of oncoming traffic to avoid you, especially when you don’t have the good sense to get over when a car is coming. > > Oh, and stop jogging in the bike lane, too. I don’t even bike and that pisses me off. Oh god, here come the “asphalt is softer than concrete” excuses. ---
**Author:** ![Raygun99](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/6f9a4e/32.png) [@Raygun99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Raygun99)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2009, 6:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-not-walk-on-the-bike-path/497694/27 "2009-05-26T18:33:56Z")
> [@Tamex](#): > > “Canadians”. Hah! > > I’ve only seen the separate paths the OP is talking about in the city of Minneapolis. In the suburbs, the “bike” paths are multi-use for bikes, joggers, walkers, rollerblades, etc. (except for horses, though I do know of one with a separate parallel horse trail.) I suppose someone from the suburbs who comes into the city (or someone from a different city) might not immediately realize there is more than one trail. Calgary has separate bike and pedestrian trails for a portion of its downtown trail system. For the most part people get the system, but there’s still the odd person who doesn’t understand what the red circle with a line through it means. ---
**Author:** ![MeanOldLady](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/meanoldlady/32/10737_2.png) [@MeanOldLady](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MeanOldLady)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2009, 6:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-not-walk-on-the-bike-path/497694/28 "2009-05-26T18:36:07Z")
[QUOTE=Cisco] How come you fucking Canadians get dedicated bike paths? [/QUOTE] We have exorbitant taxes that pay for this kind of thing. > [@Cheesesteak](#): > > Two thoughts. First, I was wondering if this was some sort of uber-disguised rant about bicycles on roads, substituting bicycles for cars and pedestrians for bicycles. > > Second, is there actually a law that prohibits walking on a bike path? My google-fu has failed me on that one. If there isn’t, then this actually is a disguised car/bike rant, only unintentional. Whoa, I don’t get into these kinds of metaphorical mind games. But yes, as someone who drives a car, rides a bike and (once in a blue moon) jogs, I should rephrase my OP to read, “Everybody, stop being shitheads already!” ---
**Author:** ![fachverwirrt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/94ad74/32.png) [@fachverwirrt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fachverwirrt)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2009, 6:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-not-walk-on-the-bike-path/497694/29 "2009-05-26T18:38:02Z")
> [@Cisco](#): > > Oh god, here come the “asphalt is softer than concrete” excuses. Well, it is! Of course, I still run on the sidewalk (when available), largely because I enjoy the whole not-being-dead aspect of life. ---
**Author:** ![Cisco](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ccd318/32.png) [@Cisco](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cisco)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2009, 6:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-not-walk-on-the-bike-path/497694/30 "2009-05-26T18:40:36Z")
> [@fachverwirrt](#): > > Well, it is! I’d like to see evidence that a human foot, covered by a running shoe, compresses either one of them. And IF it does, I doubt the miniscule difference is enough to make the risk to your life by running in traffic worth it. ---
**Author:** ![fachverwirrt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/94ad74/32.png) [@fachverwirrt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fachverwirrt)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2009, 6:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-not-walk-on-the-bike-path/497694/31 "2009-05-26T18:50:49Z")
> [@Cisco](#): > > I’d like to see evidence that a human foot, covered by a running shoe, compresses either one of them. I never claimed it did. Many runners and runner’s magazines etc. certainly make the claim, but I’ve seen plenty of arguments to the contrary. However, you can’t deny that asphalt is, indeed, softer than concrete (especially in the summer). > [@](#): > > And IF it does, I doubt the miniscule difference is enough to make the risk to your life by running in traffic worth it. Which is why I mostly run on the sidewalk (the portions of my regular running route that don’t have sidewalks are VERY lightly traveled residential backstreets where I almost never encounter cars). ---
**Author:** ![Cisco](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ccd318/32.png) [@Cisco](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cisco)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2009, 6:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-not-walk-on-the-bike-path/497694/32 "2009-05-26T18:59:36Z")
> [@fachverwirrt](#): > > I never claimed it did. Many runners and runner’s magazines etc. certainly make the claim, but I’ve seen plenty of arguments to the contrary. However, you can’t deny that asphalt is, indeed, softer than concrete (especially in the summer). Ummmm . . . I know you are but what am I? If a human foot doesn’t compress either material, then which is softer is irrelevant to running. ---
**Author:** ![fachverwirrt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/94ad74/32.png) [@fachverwirrt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fachverwirrt)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2009, 7:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-not-walk-on-the-bike-path/497694/33 "2009-05-26T19:21:53Z")
> [@Cisco](#): > > Ummmm . . . I know you are but what am I? If a human foot doesn’t compress either material, then which is softer is irrelevant to running. I’m not arguing with you. I was merely pointing out, tongue-in-cheekly, that asphalt is, factually, softer than concrete. It’s possible I wasn’t being entirely serious. Surprisingly, print seems not to be the best medium for facetiousness. ---
**Author:** ![Kevbo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/e47774/32.png) [@Kevbo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kevbo)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2009, 7:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-not-walk-on-the-bike-path/497694/34 "2009-05-26T19:33:20Z")
[A bargain at twice the price](http://nycewheels.com/air-zound-horn.html) ---
**Author:** ![Dag\_Otto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/439d5e/32.png) [@Dag\_Otto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dag_Otto)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2009, 7:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-not-walk-on-the-bike-path/497694/35 "2009-05-26T19:34:42Z")
> [@MeanOldLady](#): > > I should rephrase my OP to read, “Everybody, stop being shitheads already!” I like it. ---
**Author:** ![SmellMyWort](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ea5d25/32.png) [@SmellMyWort](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SmellMyWort)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2009, 8:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-not-walk-on-the-bike-path/497694/36 "2009-05-26T20:00:00Z")
> [@Claire\_Beauchamp](#): > > By jogging in the street a couple of feet from the curb, though, you cause cars to have to veer into the lane of oncoming traffic to avoid you, especially when you don’t have the good sense to get over when a car is coming. You might want to sit down for this…but you could always [gasp] slow down until the oncoming traffic passes and then go around the jogger. ---
**Author:** ![Cisco](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ccd318/32.png) [@Cisco](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cisco)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2009, 8:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-not-walk-on-the-bike-path/497694/37 "2009-05-26T20:02:47Z")
> [@SmellMyWort](#): > > You might want to sit down for this…but you could always [gasp] slow down until the oncoming traffic passes and then go around the jogger. This is the kind of dumbass attitude that pedestrian right-of-way laws have bred. Listen carefully: no matter who is “right”, when a ~4,000lb car and a ~150lb person collide, the car will ALWAYS win. Just run on the fucking sidewalk, if available. Whatever else isn’t worth it. ---
**Author:** ![fachverwirrt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/94ad74/32.png) [@fachverwirrt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fachverwirrt)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2009, 8:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-not-walk-on-the-bike-path/497694/38 "2009-05-26T20:06:08Z")
> [@Cisco](#): > > Just run on the fucking sidewalk, if available. Whatever else isn’t worth it. But asphalt is softer than concrete! (I’m sorry. I’ll stop. I promise.) ---
**Author:** ![DSYoungEsq](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/c6cbf5/32.png) [@DSYoungEsq](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSYoungEsq)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2009, 8:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-not-walk-on-the-bike-path/497694/39 "2009-05-26T20:16:58Z")
> [@fachverwirrt](#): > > But asphalt is softer than concrete! > (I’m sorry. I’ll stop. I promise.) You need the 12-step program. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![SmellMyWort](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ea5d25/32.png) [@SmellMyWort](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SmellMyWort)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2009, 8:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-not-walk-on-the-bike-path/497694/40 "2009-05-26T20:50:36Z")
> [@Cisco](#): > > This is the kind of dumbass attitude that pedestrian right-of-way laws have bred. Listen carefully: no matter who is “right”, when a ~4,000lb car and a ~150lb person collide, the car will ALWAYS win. > > Just run on the fucking sidewalk, if available. Whatever else isn’t worth it. What about bikers? If some clueless driver won’t offer the slightest courtesy to someone walking or running, then they sure won’t for a biker either. Fuck them too, I guess. And what attitude? Not every person out there walking/jogging/biking on the road is out there just to piss off drivers “because they can,” and I think that assumption says a lot. Maybe the sidewalk is icy or flooded…hard to know that when you start out. All I’m saying is that as a driver I slow down for bikers and runners until I can pass with a safe margin and that’s what every driver should do. Just trying to fight ignorance here, and sorry in advance if you get home 20 seconds later. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-not-walk-on-the-bike-path/497694.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-not-walk-on-the-bike-path/497694.md?page=3)