Yesterday I posted a blog entry about why runners run in the street during the winter. My claim was that runners to this because many sidewalks are not shoveled.
Later in the day, Jon posted a comment asking this question:
“I often see joggers on the streets at other times of year, when it's nice and warm and there isn't a hint of snow anywhere. What's the deal with that?"
It's a GREAT question, and I'm going to be honest here, I almost always run in the street. From a drivers perspective this is crazy, and an almost indefensible action. Especially when there is a perfectly good, clear, safe sidewalk, built for pedestrians just inches away. I hear people complain about it all the time. I get grief from friends, neighbors, co-workers, strangers, and even my wife.
Let me attempt to explain, and then you can pummel me with your anger and derision.
- Crash Safety – I know this is counter-intuitive to people who see us running in the street. But I have a greater fear of cars coming out of driveways, parking lots and side streets than I do of cars coming at me while I'm running facing traffic. I can see and react to cars coming at me. I can’t always see cars coming from the side, and those cars are certainly not looking for runners, they're watching out for other cars. Most of the problems I’m aware of with runners being hit have been from cars pulling out and hitting runners on the sidewalk who are less visible than they would be if they were in the road.
- Softer Surface – Roads are softer than sidewalks. The material that roads are made of is slightly more forgiving on runners legs than the material that most sidewalks are made from. This may seem a minor point, but it becomes a big issue for marathoners and people who run upwards of 30 miles a week. Running on sidewalks takes more energy from the body, because we take more of a pounding.
- Even and Consistent Surface – Sidewalks vary in their quality from block to block and corner to corner. Some are in fine shape and are good to run on, and then the next block is uneven, rutted, cracked or made with cobblestones. If you're running any significant distance, it becames very difficult if you are contantly having to concentrate on the sidewalk and having to weave in and out of traffic, depending on the condition.
- People – If it’s a busy street, running on the sidewalk means weaving in and out of people and risking injury to other pedestrians who may not be expecting a running coming up behind them, or crossing paths.
- Lighting – If it’s dark, it’s generally much easier to see the surface of the road than the surface of the sidewalk.
With all of that said, I still completely understand the frustration people experience with runners who run in the road.
I’m guilty, guilty, and guilty.
