Why would a someone run on the road?

[Mollyjon]

Just a normal industrial street - pavements on either side, yet why is there someone running on the road and holding up traffic? The traffic couldn't overtake safely as there were cars coming either side and the pavement next to him was clear.
What is the logic?

Pavements are uneven where kerbs etc are and can lead to twisted ankles.
That said it's bloody selfish not to move when there's cars wanting to overtake.

You're assuming there was logic?
:D

Maybe the pavement was wonky or something.

In our development there's a woman who pushes her pram in the road next to the pavement. Drives me absolutely nuts.

@izzygirlis4 that's what I thought, I was driving the opposite way and there was a long queue of traffic behind him and I don't know why he didn't just go on the pavement to continue his run until the road was clear again

The only time I've seen people do this is when the pavements are icey but the roads have been gritted so are clear.

Definitely not icy around here, it's seemed quite springy weather

I have an elderly man who always walks down the middle of our road when both sides have pavements. I think it's because the road is more even than the pavements as there has been tree roots that moved up some of the pavement.

Pavements often have branches overhanging them and you have to dodge around pedestrians etc. They're also uneven when you have to cross roads.

That said, he should have moved off the road to avoid holding up the traffic.

My dad's a runner and once tripped and knocked himself unconscious coming off a pavement onto a road.

pavement is dirty? Pavement is uneven? Pavement is crowded? Pavement is potholed? Pavement is overgrown? Pavement is narrow? pavement is littered with broken glass? Pavement is wet? Pavement is muddy? Pavement is slippery? Could be any number of reasons

I often use the road where the pavement is smear in dog crap, but the drivers cant see that.

I regularly run on the road. But that's in a Low Traffic Neighbourhood where pedestrians are supposed to be a priority

Why? Because it's almost impossible to run on the pavement these days as so many people are on their phones and don't look up. They meander from side to side. Also people walking their dogs with leads that cross the whole pavement. Also groups of people walking 3 or 4 abreast making it hard to overtake. Or People pushing buggy with a toddler next to them on a scooter take up the whole pavement.

I've taken the view that it's easier for me to run on the road and avoid annoying all of the above people and also avoid to be annoyed by them. I run facing traffic so can see if there's cars coming and can hop back onto the pavement if it's a lorry or looks like there's not enough space.

The state of the pavements where I live is so appalling now, I worry every time DH goes for a run, especially after dark. No basic maintenance or street cleaning has taken place in years. Coming home splattered with dog shit is the least of it.

That said, it's clearly ridiculous to run in the road and hold up traffic! But we should all be pissed off at the degradation of all of our public services and amenities. Even the actual streets aren't fit for purpose

More likely to be potholes on the road, than the pavement.

maybe in some places, but in many places, no, the pavements are in a far worse state than the roads

Potholes are easier to see than small lumps and bumps on a pavement.

You also don't have to go up and down a kerb every time there is a side street

There can be a lot of unevenness on a pavement where there are many driveways. And people with dogs always seem to take up the whole pavement with the lead as a tripwire between them. I try to cross the road or run in the road if a dog walker is coming towards me because a lot of the time they either make zero attempt to let me pass or grab the dog and hold on to it for dear life while glaring at me for daring to pass them! I mean, just tuck the dog in where you’re standing, no need to dramatically save it from me.

I've had to do it because of bins taking up most of the pavement.

The pavements in our local industrial estate are treacherous, really broken and uneven because of all the lorries parking on them overnight

I'd step back onto the pavement if I was actually holding up traffic, but I don't run on those pavements

We live in a U shaped road that open out either end onto a pretty fast main road. People
Constantly walk down the middle of the road. I don't get it.

No potholes, no dog shit (that seems to be saved for the nearby alleys), no kerb issues.

Because they can.

Fine to run in the road when there are no cars around - when there is, you hop back onto the pavement. Anyone who doesn't has a death wish!

I agree with all the comments above - people do have a tendency to hog the paths with buggies, the middle aged holding hands couple, extendable leads etc, but ultimately if you can't get onto the road safely you just have to slow down/stop!

lighting? Some roads I walk down the middle of so no one hiding in the bushes can pounce on me. Some roads are well lit when pavements are left in the dark

The pavements around me have uneven broken paving slabs. I've tripped on them twice whilst out running and hurt myself really badly.

Having said that, I'd never run on the road and certainly wouldn't hold up traffic.

Mania? Been there, done that.