BASIC SIDEWALK ETIQUETTE FOR THE UNINITIATED
There are few things in life more certain that the simple fact that sooner or later we all must leave one building, walk for a distance, and then enter either another building, perhaps a limousine or, God forbid, public transportation. If you have done this recently, you might have noticed that some of your fellow pedestrians don't seem to know the rules; It seems like everyone is either texting, riding a scooter, listening to earbuds, walking at a funerial pace, or simple can't walk like a normal biped! Of course, you must resist the urge to slap, punch or shove this benighted individual, because in all honesty, they might not know that there are unspoken rules to this thing called public perambulation (walking). With that in mind, I have compiled this basic list of sidewalk etiquette (for the uninformed and uninitiated) in the foolish hope that these sidewalk menaces will read it and get with the program. Here is a great link to basic sidewalk etiquette! https://www.wikihow.life/Practice-Sidewalk-Etiquette
WHAT IS A SIDEWALK?
What is a street conveyance, frequently made of cement, used by the public for the express purpose of perambulation? It's called a "sidewalk". A sidewalk is located around buildings, parking lots, public parks, schools, etc., and is to be used expressly for when you're walking to and from various locations. It consists of two sides: the right side of the sidewalk, and the left side of the sidewalk. There is no middle -- got that?
WHAT IS A PEDESTRIAN?
People walking on the sidewalk -- the people moving -- are known as pedestrians. This term is derived from the Latin word meaning "pertaining to the feet".
WALK THIS WAY FOR BASIC RULES OF PEDESTRIAN ETIQUETTE
We all assume that everyone shares the same rules of the road when it comes to foot traffic, which means that "we" are wrong. The truth is that this assumption is wrong, wrong, wrong. Bad pedestrian behavior is just as common as bad driving. Whether you are walking to work, walking to class, walking through the mall, or walking to a matinee, you need to know the rules of the road. Let's take a few moments to review some of the basic rules of pedestrian etiquette.
BASIC WALKING: This should go without saying, but walking is done with one foot on the sidewalk at all times and with your arms held close to your body. Running, dancing, roller skating, swinging your arms wildly about, are all NOT walking normally. Don't walk if you don't know how. These activities all endanger the person coming towards you -- with whom you supposed to be sharing the sidewalk.
WALK ON THE RIGHT: If you are on a crowded, shared sidewalk, walk on the right side of the sidewalk, just as you drive on the right side of the road. Walking on the wrong side -- the left side -- is against basic sidewalk traffic rules -- which are the same ones that we use in traffic. And, no -- you don't get to walk on the left because you are from Europe. If you need to stop, stand on the right, close to the edge of the sidewalk or building.
PASSING or TRYING TO PASS: If you are need to pass someone, pass on the left. If you are the person being passed, stay to the right (or move out of the way) until you have been completely passed. On the other hand, allow people to pass, when necessary, without turning it into a competition. If you are behind someone and want to pass, do so with direction and purpose. Click here for another great article about basic sidewalk rules!
BE AWARE OF YOUR SURROUNDINGS: Are you about to walk into an open manhole? Are there oncoming cars? People? Dogs? Are you stumbling about aimlessly deep in thought and about to bump into someone else? Do you need to get out of the way? Wake up, look around, and be aware of your location so that you don't harm yourself or others.
TEXTING: Walking and texting is dangerous to yourself and annoying to others. People will not give you a free pass just because you are on the phone.
DON'T CUT TOO CLOSE -- If you are crossing in front of someone don't wait until the last minute and then suddenly cut into them -- it is a recipe for disaster.
SUDDENLY STOPPING: Whether it's on purpose or by accident, can cause a collision with anyone who is walking behind you. If you need to stop to chat or if it is time to check your phone, then perhaps you shouldn't be on the sidewalk at all.
WALKING IN THREES: If you are walking in a group of three or more are you sharing the sidewalk with other pedestrians or are you an annoying obstacle thoughtlessly blocking the progress of people who are on the move? If you walk three across, people can't get around you because your group is talking the whole sidewalk! Perhaps you should move off to the side to make room for others? It's hard to share the road when the road is road is crowded by trios of sauntering friends.
WALKING SLOWLY: Just like on the highway, no one likes a slow walker. The issue at hand is one of urgency. If one or more people are jammed up behind you, frustration and anger will fester and people will start to look for a way around you.
WALKING IN THE MIDDLE: People who walk in the middle of the sidewalk are basically taking up the whole sidewalk. If you are the person in front, the people stuck behind you won't be able to decide how you should be passed.
WALKING BEHIND SOMEONE: This is the equivalent to tailgating. Let people have the same body space that you would want and don't step on their heels or breathe down their necks.
CROSSWALKS: The crosswalk is an especially fraught environment since cars have now been added into the pedestrian traffic. Wait for the appropriate sidewalk signals (if applicable) and move with direction and purpose to the opposite side of the street.
WALK THIS WAY: WHY DO WE WALK ON THE RIGHT SIDE?
There are several competing theories as to why, over time, people have chosen to walk on the right side of the sidewalk, but the most accepted one seems to be the logic of basic traffic flow. If cars are driving on the right, then, over time, pedestrians will naturally migrate to the same direction subconsciously.
FINALLY, A SONG!
I wrote the following lyric for my musical revue HOW RUDE! It describes my basic experience of pedestrians as a dyed in the wool New Yorker!
MOVE OVER!
YOU’RE CROWDING THE SIDEWALK!
MOVE OVER,
GET OUT OF MY WAY!
MOVE OVER,
YOU’RE WALKING WHERE I’D WALK
I’M NOT IN THE MOOD TODAY!
