Who was it that convinced runners that it was a good idea to run against traffic? While arguments might be made that it is safer for the runner, it puts everyone else on the road in great danger. On the routes I typically ride on, this has become a bigger danger to me than cars since the runners are causing most of the close calls I’m having with vehicles.
I finally snapped last night on my ride when confronted with the second group of 3 runners coming at me side by side who refused to move over and give me 24 inches in MY LANE to get by. I refused to go into opposing traffic and almost took a runner out. About 5 minutes later, I came up on a runner who was going my direction but running in the middle of the opposite lane. Just as I as about to pass her, a car coming at me swerved into my lane to miss her. The driver hadn’t seen me and if I had not swerved, I’d have been hit head on. This happens to me all the time. I’m not going to take it any more.
Notice to all runners in South Eastern Michigan: If you insist on running (or walking) against traffic, beware of a big guy on a Trek . He will no long cross into the opposing lane to let you pass. Move over a little or you are going down. I only need 24 inches to pass but I’m going to take it even if it means riding right over you.
If you are running (or walking) in the same direction I am going but in the other lane, and you force a car to swerve into my lane to miss you, I am going to come back for you (assuming the car doesn’t kill me.)
The way you handled that incident and the way it affected you leads me to think that you’re not a very proficient driver. Maybe you should stay off the roads. Just a thought…
Although I agree it’s plain dumb to run 3 abreast and not move over when bikes are coming (would they do that too with cars???) why get pissed when you can give a quick look behind you and go around and tell them whatever you want to tell them when going by?
The way you handled that incident and the way it affected you leads me to think that you’re not a very proficient driver. Maybe you should stay off the roads. Just a thought…
Thanks for the kind words
I was riding my bike not driving and if I was not the excellent bike handler I am, I’d be dead. I came within 6 inches of getting implanted head first in the windshield of a Cadilac Escalade and it was all because some idiot wanted to run in the road with her iPod on so she ran opposing traffic so see could see the cars coming. Nice for her but nearly fatal for me.
Sure, the driver shouldn’t have been in my lane but he wouldn’t have been there if the runner had been running with traffic.
Everyone worries about getting hit but we also need to think about how our actions on the road might put others in danger.
The way you handled that incident and the way it affected you leads me to think that you’re not a very proficient driver. Maybe you should stay off the roads. Just a thought…
Thanks for the kind words
I was riding my bike not driving and if I was not the excellent bike handler I am, I’d be dead. I came within 6 inches of getting implanted head first in the windshield of a Cadilac Escalade and it was all because some idiot wanted to run in the road with her iPod on so she ran opposing traffic so see could see the cars coming. Nice for her but nearly fatal for me.
Sure, the driver shouldn’t have been in my lane but he wouldn’t have been there if the runner had been running with traffic.
Everyone worries about getting hit but we also need to think about how our actions on the road might put others in danger.
Circle back (if you are still alive) and ride up to the offending runner (with iPod) and yell “HEY!” in her ear. If she survives the ensuing heart attack, tell her that was an example of why she should not be doing what she did.
I always run against traffic - especially in SE Michigan so I can spot all the rednecks in advance. Hitting anything on a bike is probably not a wise thing and most likely you will go down and slide across the road under a semi…
The same kind word if you’re on the bike. An “excellent bike handler” doesn’t get phased by stuff like that.
Man, you’re butal.
OK – I’ll take a chill pill and I hereby retract my threat to mame or kill runners. In return, I’m just asking for a little help an this issue so I can get home alive. The runners and walkers in my area are making it nearly impossible to have a safe ride. I really do fear them more than cars.
It is a really good idea to run against traffic because you can see the traffic and avoid it. Since you are moving much slower than cars or even me on a bike, you can turn much more quickly and get out of the way. Of course, the whole point of this idea is that it enables you to get out of the way, which it appears that these runners did not do. People applying a rule poorly don’t make the rule a bad idea; it just means they are an idiot. As you know, without jerks and idiots, we would have to be transactional lawyers so don’t be too critical of idiots.
Anyway, be careful if you try to enforce your new rule in Farmington Hills; I used to play rugby and know how to take down larger, faster guys heading at me.
Hmm, interesting problem. Very similar to motorists being upset with cyclist getting in THEIR way. I guess you deal with it the same way you expect motorists to deal with you being in their way: slow down, look around to see if it’s safe and then go around them.
So how will runners running with traffic, rather than against, help? They will still be in your way. I come upon runners all the time. It’s not a problem for me. I don’t get it.
Did John Stanton recently open a Running Room in Mi? Their running groups are notorious in Canada for getting in the way and not allowing others to pass. The fact that they are all made to swear by the run 10, walk 1 philosophy before joining the group makes this even worse. I like racing in the states. It’s nice not having to deal with the RR mobs.
If you are a triathlete – you have to run at least sometimes – what side of the road do you run on???
When I run I want to see both cars and bicycles coming at me. I take it upon myself to look for the cars – if there is a car coming and a bicycle at the same time – I will run in the dirt for a few steps so the bike has room.
When I am on the bike 99.5% of the time the runner will give me the same courtesy - they see me coming and will give me room. When a running is going in the same direction as me – they do not see nor hear me and do not get out of the way AND I am always worried about then moving into my way – so I have to give them even more room than if they were running towards me.
I have also had runners give me hand signals that it was OK to pass – That a car was coming – and even a verbal “glass on the road up ahead.”
