Joggers should be banned from paths and pavements

[BalancedIndividual]

As a car driver I find that the occasional cyclist breaks highway codes, cycles dangerously, or cycles without care and consideration. Key word being occasional, so no biggie. Just like how the occasional car diver is a .

But as a pedestrian going for a stroll in the park, the number of rude, selfish, careless and aggressive joggers i've seen is ridiculous high.

I see a jogger coming towards me, I walk to the side/edge of the path, but joggers always decide to keep running straight down the middle....

Similar to the above, joggers not keep a safe distance, and actually brushing past me.

And lastly, the worst offenders, joggers running side by side taking up the whole path, coming towards me, and giving me looks as if im supposed to jump out the way and off the path. ***

I honestly think legislation should be brought in to ban jogging on paths and pavements. Restricting joggers to grassland/cross country, outdoor tracks, private land, and the gym. The same way that cycling isnt permitted on pavements.

AIBU?

The streets, parks and pretty much most of the countryside is packed at the moment

It’s not a recipe for good runner - pedestrian relations

None of us have had this problem before Covid. Once all the people who don’t usually go out walking disappear back to whatever they used to do, everyone will lose interest in runners breathing and erm, running

Tbh I’ve done walking, cycling and running for years, and I have to check myself not to get pissed off at all the herds of people in what used to be quiet areas. I know they deserve to be there, but I’m a bit perturbed if the people who are new to using the areas suddenly start dictating terms to people who’ve been using the spaces for years

I realise that’s very Get Orf My Land...but 🤷‍♀️

And i do use Strava....it’s impossible to understand wtf that has to do with anybody else

@hamstersarse

And i do use Strava....it’s impossible to understand wtf that has to do with anybody else

I did try Strava once. I set it up on my phone and decided to use it to time a 3k out and back for accurate distance. Got to halfway and realised I hadn't started it...then I realised I couldn't really run carrying a phone in one hand anyway, or buying a specialist watch. So I gave up. Or at least my solitary entry is a lonely 1.5k segment.

@GreenlandTheMovie

Great...whatever works for you 🤷‍♀️

I just hope you extend the courtesy for someone else to be interested in their health data through Strava and watches.

@hamstersarse , I couldn't agree more. I am not exactly sure how eschewing a Garmin watch is supposed to make you faster ? Reminds me of a certain type of runner who likes to bleat on and on about the virtues of minimal shoes.

@Angelica789

The problem is the divergence of purpose between walkers and runners.

Walkers are out for a stroll, enjoying the fresh air and a break from the four walls of home. Runners are tooled up with fitness gadgets, trying to beat their mate’s time on Strava. They have a single mindedness and other people are collateral damage as they ruthlessly pursue their goal.

Hyperbole much 😂😂

Runners are tooled up with fitness gadgets, trying to beat their mate’s time on Strava. They have a single mindedness and other people are collateral damage as they ruthlessly pursue their goal

All runners - really?

'Tooled up with fitness gadgets' - what are these gadgets people keep referring to? I feel like I'm missing out. I mean I have a phone and a watch but so does pretty much every person I know - runner or not 🤷🏼‍♀️

tooled up with fitness gadgets!

I have a watch...but I wear (a different) one when I'm walking as well. My watch doesn't have any impact on anyone else?

I very rarely take my phone when running but I see loads of people walking with phones often not looking where they are going

Does a water bottle or keys count as a gadget? They're literally the only other things I occassionally carry.

Walkers are out for a stroll, enjoying the fresh air and a break from the four walls of home. Runners are tooled up with fitness gadgets, trying to beat their mate’s time on Strava. They have a single mindedness and other people are collateral damage as they ruthlessly pursue their goal.
I see. Walkers are walking for the noble pursuit of fresh air, but those pesky runners couldn't possibly be enjoying some outdoor exercise... no, they are obviously obsessed with beating their friends on strava.

What a bizarre assumption.

Here's a hint though, if I'm running quickly it's because I want to exercise at that level, just like if I go for a walk it's because I want to go for a walk.

Either way PP, don't you worry because once the shops and pubs open all the new found walkers who walk to get a break from home (including those new to the pavements who seem to spend ages whining about it) will get themselves back to what they used to do, and that will leave those who've always walked regularly or gone for a run regularly. We've all been managing fine for years thanks.

@GreenlandTheMovie

manymanymany Do any of you runners consider that you might be disturbing people, particularly those anxious about COVID? My mum and many of her friends stopped going for walks for a few months due to all the heavy-breathing runners coming so close to her. And so what if the pavements are more full than before the pandemic? For some people walking is the only exercise they can do at the moment, and as pavements are designed for walking rather than running, it's clear walkers should take priority. You can always go somewhere else to run, many walkers can't go elsewhere.

Other than levitating, how do you suggest runners get "somewhere else"? Where is this "somewhere else" exist anyway?

I can honestly say that I've never met anyone like you or some of the posters on here. I've never really met a heavy breather either. At least not out running. For instance, today, I passed two walkers on one side of the path, and at the same time, a cyclist literally being towed by a greyhound on a lead passed us all at speed. We all just smiled and got on with our exercise.

I know my town is very polite, but thats all that ever happens. I'm not aware that pavements are designed for walking rather than running either, thats just something you've made up. Otherwise, there would be a bye-law to that effect, printed on a sign, wouldn't there?

I think if things like other people breathing scare you that much, counselling might be a good option. Runners go past you pretty quick compared to other walkers as well, so surely other walkers, who might be unfit and god forbid, breathe heavily, are more of a risk to you and you and your mother's friends? You are obviously over-reacting and making up excuses not to exercise, while simulataneously denying others the right to. Its really quite odd.

I'm not aware that pavements are designed for walking rather than running either, thats just something you've made up. Otherwise, there would be a bye-law to that effect, printed on a sign, wouldn't there?

Of course they are and no, there wouldn't be a bye-law. Running on pavements may not be illegal, but pavements are not designed with runners in mind. They're not considered to be the primary users - ask any planner or urban designer.

You are obviously over-reacting and making up excuses not to exercise
HA wtf? I exercise plenty thank you, just not in an anti-social way. What is it with all these people thinking others are jealous of them running? It's so strange.

Also, yes during a pandemic when a potentially fatal disease is spread via air-borne droplets elderly people maybe get concerned when others run past them breathing heavily.

A lot of people must have led a very sheltered (and pleasant!) existence if literally the most antisocial thing anyone has done, is run past them minding their own business!

has anyone come up with the places runners or joggers should run?(instead of paths and pavements?)

@LolaSmiles

Walkers are out for a stroll, enjoying the fresh air and a break from the four walls of home. Runners are tooled up with fitness gadgets, trying to beat their mate’s time on Strava. They have a single mindedness and other people are collateral damage as they ruthlessly pursue their goal. I see. Walkers are walking for the noble pursuit of fresh air, but those pesky runners couldn't possibly be enjoying some outdoor exercise... no, they are obviously obsessed with beating their friends on strava. What a bizarre assumption.

Here's a hint though, if I'm running quickly it's because I want to exercise at that level, just like if I go for a walk it's because I want to go for a walk.

Either way PP, don't you worry because once the shops and pubs open all the new found walkers who walk to get a break from home (including those new to the pavements who seem to spend ages whining about it) will get themselves back to what they used to do, and that will leave those who've always walked regularly or gone for a run regularly. We've all been managing fine for years thanks.

What's with the sneery, smug, self-righteous twaddle that so many of the runners on here come out with? It really is pretty low-stakes stuff if you think you're somehow virtuous for running on pavements and people out walking are to be mocked and derided

You do realise that pre-lockdown many people engaged in a wide range of exercise including going to the gym, swimming, playing tennis and golf and many of those activities are no longer possible?

has anyone come up with the places runners or joggers should run?(instead of paths and pavements?)

On another thread someone suggested running tracks ( which are closed at the moment if you have one close by) and disused airfields 😂😂

Oh and the gym ..... which are also closed

Walkers are out for a stroll, enjoying the fresh air and a break from the four walls of home. Runners are tooled up with fitness gadgets, trying to beat their mate’s time on Strava. They have a single mindedness and other people are collateral damage as they ruthlessly pursue their goal

You've clearly not seen me out for a walk or indeed out for a social run with friends.

Not all runners are single minded and not all walkers stroll at a snail's pace.

Running on pavements may not be illegal, but pavements are not designed with runners in mind. They're not considered to be the primary users - ask any planner or urban designer

This argument completely ignores the fact that some people run slowly and some people walk very quickly.

Also not sure who planners or urban designers expect to use pavements as they are often narrow and unfit for any purpose.

I'd like to see MNers getting a lot more het up about drivers parking and driving on pavements rather than fast-moving pedestrians.

Fine, let's get all runners to run in the road instead and cars will have to give way and wait for them. That should go well.

You are not going to get Covid, or anything else from a jogger. Get a fucking grip.

Also, yes during a pandemic when a potentially fatal disease is spread via air-borne droplets elderly people maybe get concerned when others run past them breathing heavily

Runners puffing in one's face during a pandemic , that's what most posters are complaining about.

is it only people who are running for fitness that you can't stand

Those who say that people are envious because others are looking after themselves, you do know that running is bad for your knees long term, right? There's nothing to be envious about, really

Those who say that people are envious because others are looking after themselves, you do know that running is bad for your knees long term, right? There's nothing to be envious about, really

Yeah sure. The possibility of maybe getting some knee wear and tear later in life definitely means it's a bad idea to do something that gets you really fit and gets you out in the fresh air and helps you maintain a healthy weight, all of which are enormously important for your health. And of course being a healthy weight is better for your joints. I'd rather be fit and active with creaky knees than unhealthy and sedentary with creaky knees!

@turquoisewaters

Runners puffing in one's face during a pandemic , that's what most posters are complaining about.

is it only people who are running for fitness that you can't stand

Those who say that people are envious because others are looking after themselves, you do know that running is bad for your knees long term, right? There's nothing to be envious about, really

Why on earth would anyone puff in your face whilst running past you?

And more to the point, why would anyone want to?

You make this sound like an intimate sexual act, not the everyday action of simply passing another person on the pavement.

A tad melodramatic. Goodness knows how you get in and out of the supermarket!

As for knees. A lot of things are bad for your knees. Those anatomically prone to knee problems will develop them whatever they do, but keeping your weight down and your supporting muscles, ligaments and tendons strong and supported with a healthy circulatory system providing good blood flow to your cartilage is best of all.

Running on pavements may not be illegal, but pavements are not designed with runners in mind. They're not considered to be the primary users - ask any planner or urban designer

'Not the primary users' is not the same as 'not users'.

I had 25 minutes after the school run this morning. I started and finished my run at my door. That's part of the beauty of it. I ran on paths and in the park. I moved out the way and was moved for.

People need to live together and accommodate each other

Massively ridiculous.

Runners puffing in one's face during a pandemic , that's what most posters are complaining about.

I have been running for 20+ years and have never seen runners behaving in the unsociable way described on MN.
There are inconsiderate people in all walks of life. Just because you like to run outside doesn't automatically mean you behave in an inconsiderate fashion.