Pet Peeve - Joggers

[Zandy595]

Could someone tell me why joggers feel the need to jog on a busy road when there are sidewalks that run along the same road (on both sides)? No one else is on the sidewalks so it's not like they're trying to stay out of the way of people who are walking. Drivers have to come to a complete stop sometimes to avoid either hitting them or a car on the other side of the road. What's the deal with that?

 

[Galahad]

I've heard two "reasons". Avoiding going up and down curbs and the fact that asphalt is easier on the joints than the concrete that is in most sidewalks. Both reasons seem absurd to me. I jog and I do it on the sidewalk. People who jog in the street, especially in bad weather, are creating a dangerous driving situation.

 

[agnes!]

I have an addendum to this Pet Peeve (This has happened so many times recently to me when I am driving it is truly scary)...

How about joggers who
jog on the road,
run *with* the flow of traffic
*AND*
do it at NIGHT with DARK/BLACK clothing on?!? Sheesh, if it weren't for the itty-bitty reflective patches on their shoes, they would be practically invisible...until you hit them! People, come on! Have a light strapped on your arm/wrist/leg/*whatever*, wear light-colored clothing, wear a runner's vest (International Orange or bright Yellow with large reflective sripes acorss the chest), etc. Try to be smart if you somehow MUST jog/run in the road when it is dark!!!

I see people like this and I always think "Physically fit and terminally stupid."

agnes!

 

[jgmklmhem]

I have an addendum to this Pet Peeve (This has happened so many times recently to me when I am driving it is truly scary)...

How about joggers who
jog on the road,
run *with* the flow of traffic
*AND*
do it at NIGHT with DARK/BLACK clothing on?!? Sheesh, if it weren't for the itty-bitty reflective patches on their shoes, they would be practically invisible...until you hit them! People, come on! Have a light strapped on your arm/wrist/leg/*whatever*, wear light-colored clothing, wear a runner's vest (International Orange or bright Yellow with large reflective sripes acorss the chest), etc. Try to be smart if you somehow MUST jog/run in the road when it is dark!!!

I see people like this and I always think "Physically fit and terminally stupid."

agnes!

Along the same lines are joggers who so dedicated that they must go out and jog in a snow storm in the street and instead of wearing something of color decide that white is better

 

[Hannathy]

And have to jog side by side with their companion! and not stop at stop signs.

 

[Patch'sD]

Do these guy later in the day put on Spandex and helmets, hop on their bikes and ride in packs in the street.

 

[KarenAylwood]

I've heard two "reasons". Avoiding going up and down curbs and the fact that asphalt is easier on the joints than the concrete that is in most sidewalks. Both reasons seem absurd to me. I jog and I do it on the sidewalk. People who jog in the street, especially in bad weather, are creating a dangerous driving situation.

These are legit reasons. For those who are actual runners, these two points do make a difference in performance/their joints.

I agree though that it creates a bad driving situation and is incredibly annoying. I'd never run on the street no matter what because it scares me.

 

[andromedaslove]

I have been known to run on the road. Main reason behind that is that the concrete of the sidewalks is VERY hard on a person's legs. However, I always run against traffic and when I car is coming I move off the road into the grass, I never run at night (that's just way too dangerous), and since it doesn't snow here in Florida that really isn't a problem.

It drives me crazy to see the people on the bikes taking up almost the entire lane. It just doesn't seem logical to me that bikes and cars have the same rights on the roads. You would think that the bigger vehicles would win.

Dana

 

[CheshireVal]

Do these guy later in the day put on Spandex and helmets, hop on their bikes and ride in packs in the street.

The packs of bikers are the WORST. They never stop at stop signs or red lights or anything. And they act all irritated when you try to pass them because they're going so slow.

 

[Deb in IA]

I have to disagree with the comment about asphalt and concrete. DH is a 6 foot, 180 pound runner, and after about 10 miles, there IS indeed a significant difference in his 48 year old knees!!

We always run against traffic, and move over when cars are coming. We never run at night, or at the twilight hours (the setting sun can be blinding). We always run single file when cars are approching from either direction, and move over into the grass. When there is a car stopped at an intersection, we always run BEHIND the car, not in front. As for running in the snow, well, if you are in a snow storm (which, by the way, is the most beautiful, most peaceful time of all to run), your clothes are going to get white from the snow cover. And the runners will probably be going faster than the cars at that point!

 

[hydster]

Mine is along the same lines but it's with the sponsored bikers that are continually in the road and there are multiples of them. The other one that bugs me about the bike riders is that while I'm sitting in my car as the first car on the line waiting for it to change from red to green they hold ON to MY car handle. WTH? Are you so lazy, tired or rude that you feel it's ok to hold onto my car????? 1 day I'd had it with the bikers and a guy did it and I was going to go straight but decided a right turn would be better...just about ripped his arm off as I punched it to go right! It really bugs me

 

[Galahad]

I have to disagree with the comment about asphalt and concrete. DH is a 6 foot, 180 pound runner, and after about 10 miles, there IS indeed a significant difference in his 48 year old knees!!

We always run against traffic, and move over when cars are coming. We never run at night, or at the twilight hours (the setting sun can be blinding). We always run single file when cars are approaching from either direction, and move over into the grass. When there is a car stopped at an intersection, we always run BEHIND the car, not in front. As for running in the snow, well, if you are in a snow storm (which, by the way, is the most beautiful, most peaceful time of all to run), your clothes are going to get white from the snow cover. And the runners will probably be going faster than the cars at that point!

My point, FWIW, was not that asphalt isn't better for you to run on - I know it is. That's not what I think is absurd about the argument. But if the choice is between traffic safety and getting your run in - then I think traffic safety has to come first. If the streets are snow covered it gets VERY dangerous if the runner refuses to get out of the way of the 3000# piece of metal. Or if there is a 25 foot wide suburban street and the runner decides their place on that street is dead center then they are putting me (or my liability) at risk for the sake of their workout. Out of line IMO. Like others on this thread, I'm too afraid of the traffic to run on the street so I stick to the sidewalk or the track at a nearby school. It just seems that there are an increasing number of runners and bikers who are not using their heads with respect to traffic.

 

[sha_lyn]

If you do not want to jog or run on concrete go to a track. Do not run in the street. It is dangerous for you and the drivers/passengers.

 

[MouseWorshipin]

Do these guy later in the day put on Spandex and helmets, hop on their bikes and ride in packs in the street.

Around here, bicycles aren't allowed on the sidewalk. A cop friend of mine told me it is actually against the law when I was complaining about them.

But the worst is what the teens around here were doing for a while a few years ago. I don't know what they called it, but the game was, "jump into the street to make the car stop," which was popular with them for a couple months...then one got hit and that pretty much ended that.

 

[andromedaslove]

Chicken

 

[aladdinsgirl]

I always run on the road, mind you never after dark and against traffic, but still I run on the road. Concrete is the worst surface you can run on, the impact is just too much on knees and shins. As far as running on a track, not a good idea to run a lot of milage on a track; a track is actually a crowned surface and one leg will hit the track lower than the other. When that happens, it can cause injuries, like IT band syndrome or runner's knee. I'm just recovering from IT band syndrome from running 5 miles on a track and I can tell you, it's not fun.

 

[SC Minnie]

Do these guy later in the day put on Spandex and helmets, hop on their bikes and ride in packs in the street.

They are the ones riding on the street that our subdivision entrance is on. This is a 2 lane heavily traveled road with lots of turns and hills.

Can you say accident waiting to happen???

 

[Deb in IA]

My point, FWIW, was not that asphalt isn't better for you to run on - I know it is. That's not what I think is absurd about the argument. But if the choice is between traffic safety and getting your run in - then I think traffic safety has to come first. If the streets are snow covered it gets VERY dangerous if the runner refuses to get out of the way of the 3000# piece of metal. Or if there is a 25 foot wide suburban street and the runner decides their place on that street is dead center then they are putting me (or my liability) at risk for the sake of their workout. Out of line IMO. Like others on this thread, I'm too afraid of the traffic to run on the street so I stick to the sidewalk or the track at a nearby school. It just seems that there are an increasing number of runners and bikers who are not using their heads with respect to traffic.

Ah, gotcha. I do agree with runners who have no regard for traffic. What I was trying to say is that we make a LOT of room for cars when we run -- in fact, we go out of our way to stay away from cars, by doing all the things I listed earlier -- running on the opposite side, at low traffic times, in good visibility, etc.

If you do not want to jog or run on concrete go to a track. Do not run in the street. It is dangerous for you and the drivers/passengers.

sha_lyn, I have been running for over 20 years now and have never been hit or interfered with traffic. Running on a track is unrealistic. Most high school tracks are reserved for the students, then locked up these days. And I agree with aladdinsgirl about the angled tracks; these are not appropriate for distance running, not to mention the torque forces from the repeated turns which can really damage your knees.

I maintain that running at appropriate times, with highly visible clothing, in low traffic areas with wide shoulders, while taking all precautions to avoid cars, IS safe . . . and healthy too.

 

[TinkInPink]

whats worse is the late 50/60 year old man jogging in a spedo!
ewwwww!

 

[Aidensmom]

I have been a distance runner for close to 25 years. I run on the asphalt because it is a lot softer and springier than concrete, and less likely to cause injuries. I also run against traffic, and am quick to jump off of the road when a car is approaching. There are still plenty of drivers who give me dirty looks and feel the need to make some big obvious swerve though I am not even in their way. That is MY pet peeve.