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JessDub
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Topic: Sharing the footpath Posted: 06 October 2010 at 6:42pm |
Do you walk on the left or right, or just wherever?
I always walk (with buggy and dog) on the left - because we drive on the left so it seems the logical thing to do - but lately I've had to stop and move over for just about everyone.
Is there something I don't know, what is correct walking etiquette? (This issue is grinding my gears, especially with a big dog on leash and buggy to manoeuvre)
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SMoody
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Posted: 06 October 2010 at 6:48pm |
We were always taught (in south africa though) by my Dad to walk so you can see the oncoming traffic. So you work on the right hand side of the street and you can be more aware of what is going on.
Dont ask me if this is the right thing however.
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gypsynita
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Posted: 06 October 2010 at 6:48pm |
don't know what the rules are.... but this one really peeves me too!
i've been walking with a small baby in my arms, no umbrella, and had to move out into the rain to get out of the way of someone WITH an umbrella!!  some people just live in their own little world...
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SMoody
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Posted: 06 October 2010 at 6:54pm |
Found this:
Safety tips for pedestrians
Footpaths provide a safe place for pedestrians. Where there is no footpath, walk on the side of the road facing oncoming traffic, except on curves, where it is best to walk on the outside edge of the curve. Cross the road only when it is safe to do so, using pedestrian crossing where available. When crossing the road at night, cross near a street light if you can.
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monikah
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Posted: 06 October 2010 at 7:00pm |
in wgtn and around uni and stuff ppl walk on the left too same as the cars. dunno why but everyone seems to follow like sheep so thats what we do. lol. because i have a buggy when i go on walks if anyone isnt walking on the left they seem to get out the way anyway cos it is easier for them than me with a dbl buggy
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RedHeadDuck
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Posted: 06 October 2010 at 7:00pm |
I say stick to the left.
I'm that stubborn b!tch who stops walking and stands there holding the buggy waiting for them to go round me
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_SMS_
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Posted: 06 October 2010 at 7:31pm |
I stick to the left too.
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Mum_mum
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Posted: 06 October 2010 at 7:34pm |
Yip left too! Is very funny watching Lambton Quay in Wellington at lunch time and everyone clearly walks on the left hand side!
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catisla
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Posted: 06 October 2010 at 7:42pm |
you can always tell the tourists in wellington cos they walk just wherever and wonder why they get dirty looks from the locals  i think it is quite funny really that the rule for walking on the left has just developed in that way
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pikelets
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Posted: 06 October 2010 at 7:47pm |
I always walk on the left.
In London on the escalators up/down to the tube, people stand on the left (or is it right?) and if not, people who are running up or down to get tube get really cross.
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LateStarterLorna
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Posted: 06 October 2010 at 7:57pm |
MooCow wrote:
I say stick to the left.
I'm that stubborn b!tch who stops walking and stands there holding the buggy waiting for them to go round me
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Same  At least when walking a dog, will be the same with a buggy, I am a nice person who will move to let buggies thru if its smaller path regardless of which side
If you want them to move out of your way, the trick is not to make eye contact, be in you're own world
What annoys me most is those that are two or three abreast and still expect you to move out the way, whilst they carry on, stand your ground, unless they are bigger than you lol
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jano1
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Posted: 06 October 2010 at 8:52pm |
I'm sure we were taught at primary school (way back when) to stick to the left- same as traffic. Maybe tourists stick to the right as they drive on the right?
It grinds my gears too
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AandCsmum
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Posted: 06 October 2010 at 9:46pm |
We do left here as well. I also walk my dog on the left & therefore I or the buggy & I are between her and others wanting to use the foot path.
Up in Auckland, people were walking all over the place. This was Queen street, it was really annoying.
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Troods
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Posted: 06 October 2010 at 10:03pm |
I've always walked to the left of the footpath, seems the logical thing to do.
Yep in London on the tube escalators you are meant to stand to the right, which always struck me as odd, but then I figured they allowed for the fact people probably carry stuff over the right shoulder, so stops bags etc getting in the way of people in a hurry walking/running up an down the escalators??
Also, what do you do when walking diagonally across a buzzer controlled intersection? I always veer slightlly to the left, to avoid colliding with people coming the other way. In my head, if everyone did that, we'd probably avoid collisions from all 4 directions. Does that make sense? Or am I just thinking weird?
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Delli
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Posted: 06 October 2010 at 10:13pm |
When walking on a footpath (whichever side of the road) I stick to the left of the footpath. It's just the logical thing to do.
When running on the road (no footpath) I run towards traffic on the right side of the road so no cars can sneak up behind me and run me down without me knowing. Lol. (Unless the left side has a way wider verge - then I run on that side to keep off the road as much as possible).
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Bizzy
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Posted: 07 October 2010 at 8:08am |
i walk in the middle!
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Shezamumof3
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Posted: 07 October 2010 at 8:15am |
Cant say Ive ever thought about what side of the path to walk on, I just walk and if I see someone coming, obviously move to whichever side so we can pass each other, to me that seems to be the logical thing to do.
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MyLilSquishy
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Posted: 07 October 2010 at 8:20am |
if you are talking which side of the road - just depends on where im going
but if you mean which side of the footpath - i always walk on the left (like you drive on the left) thats the way i was brought up.
its just common sense really
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jazzy
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Posted: 07 October 2010 at 8:30am |
It depends on the footpath. Some are narrow so I will walk near the road when I have the pram so no one walking past me forces me it to a garden of down a bank. The kids walk on the other side of me so not near the road.
If there are no paths & you need to walk on the road I always walk head on to traffic, unless it is bin day & can not get around them with the pram so have to hop on the road every now & then.
I too do the no eye contact if I don't intend to move. It is a lot harder to move a pram out of the way from someone walking. I do it in the mall also.
Pet hate is cars & trucks parked on the foot path & we have some narrow footpaths where I have had to walk on the road with a pram to get around.
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julz85
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Posted: 07 October 2010 at 11:45am |
i dont know about which side of the path to walk on but in australia its very big no no to stand still on the right side of the escalator . left side is for those standing still , right side is if you wanna walk up . people get very angry and rude if you doint follow this rule , not quite the same here in NZ iv noticed , people are way more laid back about it .
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