most people don't SD when out for a walk etc.

[ImNotCutOutForThis]

Well by what I've seen and I include myself in this.
I picked my dm up last week and went to a park / walk and feed ducks
It was really busy probably as busy as a summers day. There was loads of groups of 3 or 4 sat in the park area. Lots of runners and walkers. Friends /mums and daughters with kids etc. When I say lots we prob saw over 100 other groups /couples.
And I can honeslty say maybe 3 were SD
We even saw a kids birthday picnic with 5 adults and their kids (noticed as they sang happy birthday with a cake for the little boy)

The park area has open lake area. I chose to take my dm because my 2 yr old would be a nightmare by the water and I had the baby in pushchair.

And in all fairness. The path is fairly narrow with a cycle path adjacent. There is no way people in 2s could walk 2m apart without constantly bumping into people.
So I'm not judging. I just wondered if the same most places.

I don't go to crowded recreational places like OP & the rest of you, so I dunno.
I go to quiet places where I barely see anyone.
I guess I'm lucky that this is so easy for me to do.

The weather here is and long has been far from summery.
I went out to see the seal pups yesterday & got seriously chilled standing around, even though sun shining & not even a breeze.

@zafferana

I would like them to either run on the spot until we move.

Well, as a runner I'd like you to get out of the fucking way! So suck it up. If someone is right in the middle of the path I'll call out a cheery 'Excuse me!', but I get dirty looks and huffing whatever I do. I'm not to keep stopping just because you think you have the right of way.

So much this. Running the trails yesterday (and I run the trails to try and keep.away from pedestrians), there was a large family group walking their dogs across the narrow path on the ploughed field. I stood in the middle.of the mud to let them pass, no thank you, no speeding up to get past me, no acknowledgement at all that I had a much right to be there as them.

Then when I'm on road there's the people who refuse to walk single file, those that expect me to go in the road to distance from them when they could go to one side and of course the people that simply stand in a group in the middle of the pavement to have a chat.

@zafferana

I can honestly say that since the first lockdown started in March the most considerate people I've encountered during my 3x weekly runs are other runners. We always give each other room and often a smile too, but walkers are a fucking nightmare. They just keep coming right at you, often two or three abreast - the message from them is a very clear 'Take to the muddy bank, we aren't moving'. I've never brushed past or touched anyone, but the inconsiderate behaviour of walkers of all types is a continual annoyance.

Same. Runners are fine round here, 2-3 walkers are a pain taking up the whole width of the path, but I don't think they realise, they're too busy desperately socialising before returning to their empty houses .

I was always taught, and it may be bollocks but it makes sense to me, that the person travelling faster is responsible for giving way to the slower - so runners move out of the way for walkers, cyclists out of the way for pedestrians etc. I have always considered it my responsibility as a runner to get out of pedestrians’ way rather than they mine, though many are very courteous. The taking up the whole path thing isn’t just a pedestrian thing, it’s a groups of people thing. Groups of runners do it, groups of cyclists do it, groups of children do it etc. Some people pay attention and move when they see others, some people don’t. I know as a woman often found pushing a buggy and accompanied by a toddler that I am the most irritating person on the pavement to all groups right now

I dont think it’s up to walkers or runners to always give way, I think it depends on the circumstances. If I’m running up behind people I always move out the way while overtaking.

However if I’m running toward someone then it really depends who makes the first move, it’s always done with good grace and a thank you. But if there is more than one person I do think they should give way and both of us use the pavement.

I think everyone should be considerate and aware of others, be they runners, walkers or cyclists.
I’ve had people get impatient with me when I walk and I always step to the side to let people past, even when it means standing in the mud. However, I’m disabled and I can’t bloody move any faster than I am. I walk with crutches, it’s obvious. Have some patience, people!

Whether it's walkers, runners or cyclists the issue is people taking up a lot of space on the pavement. With the exception of small children (when there's more of them than adults) there should be a limit of two people on the pavement really, with single file where possible. If there's 6 of you then stay in groups of 2.

If there's a narrow path then it can't be helped, but if the path is wide enough then nobody should be taking up the whole thing and should leave enough room for people to go past, while keeping at least some distance.

@zafferana

I would like them to either run on the spot until we move.

Well, as a runner I'd like you to get out of the fucking way! So suck it up. If someone is right in the middle of the path I'll call out a cheery 'Excuse me!', but I get dirty looks and huffing whatever I do. I'm not to keep stopping just because you think you have the right of way.

Charming!

I would like them to either run on the spot until we move

Well, as a runner I'd like you to get out of the fucking way

This has made me laugh more than is should!!!

@Nicknacky

I dont think it’s up to walkers or runners to always give way, I think it depends on the circumstances. If I’m running up behind people I always move out the way while overtaking.

However if I’m running toward someone then it really depends who makes the first move, it’s always done with good grace and a thank you. But if there is more than one person I do think they should give way and both of us use the pavement.

Exactly. When the path narrows, i.e. under canal bridges, on steps, through narrow openings, etc., the priority is simply who was there first, i.e. who was already on the steps, or already under the bridge or whatever. Runners don't understand such simple consideration and instead of stopping, will continue to run through the narrow bits or up/down the steps, barging past people, despite there being already someone there who has priority by virtue of being there first.

Yes outdoor places are busy right now because there are fuck all places to go.
So everyone goes to see the ducks.
But if you are there when it is busy you are part of the crowd SD or not.

When work places open again and gyms open again, kid's sports, social visiting, it will return to being busy bank holidays and sunny Sundays.

Yes runners should slow down a bit, walkers should be prepared to step aside when they notice (I do both and happy to accommodate space and people around me).

If runners don't like walkers go somewhere else, if walkers don't like runners go somewhere else.

But if you are somewhere doing something how can you get pissed off other people are at the same place doing things?

Public space. Clue is in the name. No one has any more right than anyone else.

Contact is 2m for 15 mins so if walking past someone it wouldn’t enter my head to move away

@Ginogineli

Contact is 2m for 15 mins so if walking past someone it wouldn’t enter my head to move away

If a path is particularly narrow then I'll step aside or wait whether I'm walking or running, which I would anyway. But most paths/ pavements are wide enough for 2 people to pass sensibly. A second or two passing within 2m is not a problem in outdoor spaces.

I'm not throwing myself into mud/ bushes/ roads for clusters of people who don't pay attention to their surroundings and remain in formation hogging the paths though.

@Nicknacky

As if runners should “run on the spot”😂. I don’t expect walkers to walk on the spot so why should we?

Because you’re the faster object?

Yes, I do. Or I try my hardest to. It's very easy in the open fields/wide farm tracks where I live and quite hard around the artificial lakes and busier woods where most of my friends live but I generally manage it. I will walk on muddy grass etc to keep distance, especially to pass strangers. I do get within 2m of friends when we need to make room for others. But it's brief. Whether it really is 2m or more of a 1m+ depends on the feelings of the friend I'm with. I'm quite relaxed so don't mind (But just follow SD because we're supposed to) but I have friends who are more cautious and I'm careful about keeping 2m for them.

I never say SD walk though. Can't stand the phrase 'socially distanced' it sets my teeth on edge. I just say walk and assume that, because of the current rules, people know I mean distanced.

I never say SD walk though. Can't stand the phrase 'socially distanced' it sets my teeth on edge. I just say walk and assume that, because of the current rules, people know I mean distanced.

Trouble is that some other people still don't understand social distancing or don't think it applies to them. That's why I always make a point of mentioning SD when I'm meeting anyone - it's the way to remind them that I want to SD. I've found that if I havn't mentioned it, other people just assume I don't care. In my business, we need to hand over boxes/bags of paperwork etc - I make a very big point in phone calls and emails that we will do a SD handover of the paperwork at the office door. A few months ago, in the early Covid days, I didn't mention it and people would still try to shake hands, or get way to close during the handover, or ask to "pop in" for a quick chat etc. Sorry, but people DO need reminding to keep their distance and a quick mention of SD sends the message to them that I want to maintain my personal space.

A bugbear of this year is people going on a "socially distanced walk" with a friend, keeping 2m abreast and leaving nowhere else for oncoming or overtaking people to go other than in the 1m either side between them.

I agree it's annoying, Bogroll but when you're the only adult in your house, what else are you supposed to do? It's distance or never see anyone.