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AIBU?

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Original poster

Runners in road

93 replies

VivienScott · 08/08/2020 14:55

Since lockdown started, there have been increasing numbers of runners running in the road where I live. They’re running individually, and in the road even when the pavement is empty. The other day one was in the road running towards my very obvious oncoming car, despite the empty pavement. When I beeped at him, because I thought he hadn’t seen me somehow, he stepped straight in front of my car, forcing me to stop, proceeded to lecture me that runners are now allowed to run in the road because of social distancing (there was no one around, it was 6am) and I should move to the other side of the road i.e. the side for oncoming vehicles to allow him to pass.
I’ve not seen any change in the law to this effect, which I did mention to him.
AIBU to think runners and pedestrians in general should be on the pavements (pavements are for people etc) not on the road in the path of oncoming vehicles?

OP posts:
jasjas1973 · 08/08/2020 15:50

So, you think you own the road? and others should get out of your way? what if there wasn't a pavement or someone was using it?

Just ask yourself this... If you were taking your driving test and the exact same thing happened, would have have blown your horn at him and got into an argument? and do you think you would have passed?

i think you know the answer.

Chill, so he delayed you by a minute or so but what would do with that minute? SFA in all probability.

I meet plenty of runners and cyclists on my travels and overtake when safe to do so, i don't really want to kill someones mum/dad sibling etc.
Most car drivers don't give a fuck and overtake anywhere.

mbosnz · 08/08/2020 15:51

And how much would it have cost the pedestrian to have ceded the motorway to the motor vehicle. and nipped up on the pedestrian walkway for a couple of seconds maximum, which would have actually inconvenienced neither the motorist nor the runner, unless the delicate little petal might be such a klutz he might twist his ankle in the trauma of having to disrupt his running route? Or would that be just being far too considerate, and therefore a total loss of front? What a dickhead.

And yes, I'm a runner, a pedestrian, and a motorist.

jasjas1973 · 08/08/2020 15:51

@namechangenumber204 People like you shouldn't have a driving licence and doubtless if your own child was killed by a car driver you might think differently....maybe not.

AmICrazyorWhat2 · 08/08/2020 15:53

It happens alot where I live too. Our pavements aren't the greatest in some places (uneven flagstones) so I understand why ppl run in the road - but they do need to be aware of their own safety and stay well to the side. Running close to the middle of the road, as I've seen in my neighbourhood, is almost bound to cause an accident.

I also see cyclists who jump red lights and that's insane too.

jasjas1973 · 08/08/2020 15:53

@mbosnz your right but we can only change our behavior, not others.

kerfuffling · 08/08/2020 15:53

Yep - dickhead.

He probably went home, put his lycra on and went out cycling to annoy the shit out of everyone in that way as well.

Chocolateandamaretto · 08/08/2020 15:54

He’s probably had a load of shite from pedestrians for running on the pavement. Runners can’t do anything right at the moment, If I had a bigger garden I think I’d just run laps at this point. Would it really hurt to just overtake him?

jasjas1973 · 08/08/2020 15:54

Thank fuck car drivers never jump Red lights, imagine the carnage? folk might die!

mbosnz · 08/08/2020 15:56

Narrow country lane - potentially yes, it could have 'hurt' to overtake him, if there was an oncoming vehicle. He'd have been mush as well, of course. . .

However, it wouldn't have hurt anybody if he'd just nipped up onto the (empty, from the sounds of it) pedestrian walkway for a couple of seconds.

I imagine he's that kind of man that takes it as an affront to his manhood if he's asked to move his shopping trolley from across the bloody aisle, so that someone can get past him . . .

HalloHalloHallo · 08/08/2020 15:57

It's always legal to walk or run in a road.

Is it?? Confused

I've noticed more runners in the roads around here as well OP. It tends to the be the very narrow, dimly lit, winding roads with lots of blind spots that I find the runners in the middle of the road. It makes no sense to me. If I'm driving one way and another car is coming the other way, one of us will need to stop to allow the other car to pass before the second car can go into oncoming traffic to pass the runner. It's frustrating when there are empty footpaths either side of the road that the runner could use. Like pp said if the runner gets hit it'll unfortunately be a driver's fault. Hmm

UANBU

jasjas1973 · 08/08/2020 15:57

Maybe all these fat & over weight MN er's should get out of their cars, do some exercise and burn off all this latent anger?

HalloHalloHallo · 08/08/2020 15:58

YANBU rather

AmICrazyorWhat2 · 08/08/2020 16:03

@jasjas1973 We all know that car drivers sometimes jump red lights and it can result in horrific accidents.

But I'd never jump them on my bike as an oncoming car would almost certainly kill me...and I have a sense of self-preservation! Same with runners, they share the road with large vehicles and should be mindful of their own vulnerability.

mbosnz · 08/08/2020 16:03

Maybe you ought not to make assumptions that people are fat & overweight (myself, I'd prefer to focus on fitness, rather than fatness, but there you go) jasjas? Or that they don't already go running? Or cycling? Or walking? But they try to do it considerately, and safely for all concerned, including themselves and other road and walkway users, and get pissed off at the arrogant twats that don't?

MrsKingfisher · 08/08/2020 16:04

Runners and cyclists are a pain in the arse when you live rurally like I do, can't overtake them due to the roads being too narrow or windy roads you can't see what's coming.

Patience and I have become much better friends recently.

Keepithidden · 08/08/2020 16:04

Runners in the carriageway is probably the same reason cyclists don't use cycle paths. Society is set up for car use, ergo the carriageways are better maintained, more comfortable to use, have few gradients and obstacles and are cleaner. Footways and the cycle equivalent are normally poorly designed, maintained and generally less clean (debris and litter) so it's just more pleasant tinuses the carriageway where they can.

MrsKingfisher · 08/08/2020 16:06

@namechangenumber204

This drives me fucking mental. They do it where I live too - totally empty pavement and they run down the narrow fucking road. I am often tempted to run them over then there would be one less the next day. YADNBU.

GrinGrinGrin

Shodan · 08/08/2020 16:13

I occasionally run in the road, where the pavements are full of dropped kerbs/tree roots causing uneven surfaces etc- but only when there are no visible cars using it. Always hop back to the pavement if I hear a car behind me though- but I have to confess, it's not for their benefit, but my own- I don't want to be run over.

I did, however, see one runner recently that caused me some anxiety- running on a main road, despite a clear pavement, at dusk, wearing dark clothing. She was very lucky that the cars on her side of the road had competent and alert drivers.

Having said all that, the runner in the OP sounds like a bit of a twat tbh. And beeping at him, if you driving towards him on his side of the road, was unnecessary- I assume he could see you and therefore there was no need to alert him to your presence.

Grapewrath · 08/08/2020 16:23

Runners should of course run on pavements where they are available.
Roads may be more even but they are for motorists and cyclists, not for the comfort of entitled runners.

popcornlover · 08/08/2020 16:40

Oh here we go, gangs of high speed cycling families hogging the pavements, runners in the road! What next! Can’t believe the cheek of him OP, to be rude like that. I hope you told him where to go!

cologne4711 · 08/08/2020 16:46

OP I run regularly and can see no reason for runners to run in the road when there's a perfectly good pavement next to them. It might be that they occasionally move out if there are people on the pavement, but it's not very sensible to do that if there's a car coming!

Obviously if it's a country lane without pavements drivers must give way to them.

Keepithidden · 08/08/2020 17:17

Roads may be more even but they are for motorists and cyclists, not for the comfort of entitled runners

Nope, pedestrians (and runners) have more legal rights than either cars or cycles.

Unless of course your makings judgement about each of the individual road users journey and a subjective appraisal of how necessary they are. In which case fill your boots!

CuriousAuntyMaud · 08/08/2020 17:30

Nope, pedestrians (and runners) have more legal rights than either cars or cycles.

I'm completely baffled by this. So a few months ago when my local authority closed the roads so they could spend thousands building footpaths either side of the road, what was the point? And when people are ticketed for parking on the footpaths because it 'forces pedestrians into the road', what is the point? Why did an area nearby pedestrianize the high street area, much to the annoyance of local residents?

Instead of investing more money into foothpaths and cycle lanes, can we petition the government to invest into building roads solely for cars? Grin

Sheknowsaboutme · 08/08/2020 17:32

I wish i had a pavement to run on my local roads. Absolutely none! But just pull out to avoid them.

hedgehogger1 · 08/08/2020 18:37

YABU for honking, especially at 6am. YANBU to think he should be running on the empty pavement. He's a pedestrian he should be off the road if he can be

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