to assume dog walkers will give way to me and my pram when passing on a narrow pavement

[thebirthlyhallows]

I try to get out with DD for a walk everyday. I'm amazed at how often dog walkers will not give way to me and my pram and let me walk on the safe side of the pavement away from the road when passing.

Aibu to expect this?

[Looks at OP's name]

[Agrees ]

Sorry, but I think yabu. I say this from the perspective of someone who has a large dog and a pram. It wouldn't even occur to me to allow someone to walk on the 'safe' side of the pavement, but I'd probably pull my dog away from the road and allow you to pass easier.

I love this thread. It made me laugh.

Why not get a pram with Boudicca-style knives on the wheels (possibly not true) so you could go anywhere you like?

I walk my dog with him to my left hand side and I'd put myself between you and my dog if we had to pass quite close together, so depending on which side of the road we were on, I guess that would out you on the 'safe side'

I don't think anyone should assume people should give way to them, why would you?

Let's give the OP the benefit of the doubt. This might be the street she means.

I'm both a dog walker and a pram pusher. When walking the dog I'd rather move to the 'safe' side in case she suddenly lunged towards the traffic (possible as she has an over whelming hatred of any vehicle with a diesel engine). When pushing the pram I tend to move to the 'dangerous' side when passing people with dogs and toddlers.

So the fact that you have a pram means that you want to use a particular side of the pavement and that everyone should know that fact?

As others have said, the most unpredictable element in this scenario is the dog, so if anything the dog should be kept furthest from the road.

If the pavement was only wide enough for either you or the dog walker, yes, the dog walker should give way as it's quicker for them to get off and back onto the pavement and therefore safer.

if you mean the opposite side to the kerb (i.e. the inside) then it's probably that the dog is sniffing away & so it's easier to pass you on the underside. Otherwise, I would agree with the 'you are sharing the pavement' sentiment, as long as you are not shoved into the road it's not a problem.

I am unclear why you think one side of the pavement is "safer" if it's you walking with a child in a pram. Is it cars mounting the pavement you are worried about? Or are you still very sleep deprived and concerned you'll topple over into the road? I have some sympathy for the latter, but don't think it's something you can expect every dog walker to appreciate.

Clarify please OP.
Do you mean that the pavement is too narrow for you both to pass each other, so one has to step into the road? In that case, I'd expect the dogwalker to give way.
If the pavement is wide enough for you both, then you with the pram should take the outside, and let the dogwalker have the wall and put themselves between you and the animal.

If it's just sides of pavements then I am not fussed which way round (although people with small children or dogs should probably go on the inside - not hugely fussed though)

If you mean having to step into the road then yes, dog walker should simply because things with wheels and often high kerbs can be a pain in the arse. It's a lot easier with legs and easier to quickly nip back onto the pavement if something comes too than with a set of wheels.

Oh, I do hope the OP comes back. So many questions need addressing...

I walk my dog with him to my left hand side and I'd put myself between you and my dog if we had to pass quite close together, so depending on which side of the road we were on, I guess that would out you on the 'safe side'

Actually, that makes no sense, it would put me on the 'safe side^ (I usually walk on the side of the road that means my dog is on my left, not on the kerbside of the pavement)

Maybe they have a rodent problem?

OP, did you mean pram, or is it, in fact, a pushchair?

I'm sick of groups of pram pushing mamas who walk two abreast down pavements chatting to each other and their pals on mobile phones. I'm sick of standing to one side whilst they ignore me. I think they think they're re enacting the chariot scene from Ben Hur.

Read this, then fuck off back to fairyland

Really? You think you are more important because you have a pram?? Talk about a misplaced sense of entitlement!

I'd move to whichever side put my dog furthest from you. I hardly think there being a "safe side" is relevant in the few seconds it would take for us to pass.

YABU & entitled.

My dogs walk on my right hand side and when passing people they walk behind me so that they don't take up room on the pavement. I would only walk in the road to get by you if the pavement were far too narrow and the road had no cars driving by at that moment.

Ha, I can imagine you striding down the pavement whilst those around you fling themselves out of your path in deference to your pram.

Surely, as a pram pusher and a dog walker, surely whoever has the most convenient spot to move aside does so? Can't people just be considerate of each other?

That there is a safe side would not even occur to me.
OP, do you expect 'gentlemen' to walk on the unsafe side if they are with a 'lady' ?

If there is such a thing as a safe side it would be logical for children/babies to take priority over animals, I'd have thought.

Just stop dead in your tracks. They'll have to around around you.