time to get out of the gene pool!

[OakLeaf]

You do realize that that's where runners/pedestrians are supposed to be, right? I actually get really POd at runners on the wrong side of the road, just as I do cyclists riding into traffic.

+1

Y'know, a couple of years ago I got called out for using the term "cager" here, and even though I don't necessarily agree that it's offensive, I've been good.

There is no call for calling people "joggers." Especially not on this board, where many of us are runners, duathletes or triathletes.

Maybe they were jogging. And if they were, maybe they were serious athletes on a recovery day, or on an interval between intense repeats.

I totally agree with most of the OP, but easy on the derogatory language OK?

[marni]

+1

Y'know, a couple of years ago I got called out for using the term "cager" here, and even though I don't necessarily agree that it's offensive, I've been good.

There is no call for calling people "joggers." Especially not on this board, where many of us are runners, duathletes or triathletes.

Maybe they were jogging. And if they were, maybe they were serious athletes on a recovery day, or on an interval between intense repeats.

I totally agree with most of the OP, but easy on the derogatory language OK?

I apologize, I was under the impression that if there was a sidewalk, which I did not mention in the original post, that runners, joggers, tri atheletes, dualtheletes whatever you chose to call them, were obliged to use the sidewalk. I was under the impression that unless it was an organized event with traffic blocked and police present, that wheeled vehicles belong on the road and two footed machines don't. My bad.

As for the term joggers, I apologize, I use it as a generic term with nothing deroatory meant.

I was actually really just berating the lack of common sense involved in what they were wearing while running where they running.

marni

[zoom-zoom]

I apologize, I was under the impression that if there was a sidewalk, which I did not mention in the original post, that runners, joggers, tri atheletes, dualtheletes whatever you chose to call them, were obliged to use the sidewalk. I was under the impression that unless it was an organized event with traffic blocked and police present, that wheeled vehicles belong on the road and two footed machines don't. My bad.

As a runner I often loathe running on the sidewalk--especially when it's dark, since that's where all of the sticks, branches, and ruts exist...some of the same reasons we don't like riding on sidewalks. And concrete sidewalks are really friggin' hard compared to asphalt. Non-runners don't get that, but it's really noticeable.

Runners are no more obligated to use the sideWALK than we are when on our bikes. Around here the few available sidewalks are often overrun with oblivious adults and kids on bikes, inline skaters, scooters, and other runners with their music turned-up too loud to be aware of me coming up behind.

[Blueberry]

I had no idea that "jogger" was considered offensive.

[Bike Writer]

I had no idea that "jogger" was considered offensive.

Nor did I. I wonder when that happened and why?

Now I'm wondering what is a "cager" and why is that offensive?

I must not be hip to this stuff. That's an old word.

[PamNY]

I wish more cyclists/runners/scooterers/walkers/barhoppers were adequately lighted.

I didn't know that jogging was a derisive term either. What should one say?

Here's what Urban Dictionary says about "cager."

[Bike Writer]

I wish more cyclists/runners/scooterers/walkers/barhoppers were adequately lighted.

I didn't know that jogging was a derisive term either. What should one say?

Here's what Urban Dictionary says about "cager."

Thanks for the link, now I know what it means.

[Eden]

Runners are no more obligated to use the sideWALK than we are when on our bikes.

Actually that is probably dependent on where you are.... here in Washington at least it is actually illegal to walk (run or otherwise ambulate) down the street if there is a sidewalk available......

RCW 46.61.250
Pedestrians on roadways.
(1) Where sidewalks are provided it is unlawful for any pedestrian to walk or otherwise move along and upon an adjacent roadway. Where sidewalks are provided but wheelchair access is not available, disabled persons who require such access may walk or otherwise move along and upon an adjacent roadway until they reach an access point in the sidewalk.

(2) Where sidewalks are not provided any pedestrian walking or otherwise moving along and upon a highway shall, when practicable, walk or move only on the left side of the roadway or its shoulder facing traffic which may approach from the opposite direction and upon meeting an oncoming vehicle shall move clear of the roadway.

[OakLeaf]

There's a lot of local variation on whether pedestrians are allowed in roadways or not when there's a sidewalk. And even more variation in practice and enforcement.

Twenty years or so ago, Columbus was notorious. Among the more publicized cases, an elderly person who liked to sweep the street in front of their house got several jaywalking tickets.

Running in the road may be safer as a general rule (fewer irregularities and softer surface), but obviously they ought to be visible to traffic, and to get on the freakin' sidewalk if there's an oncoming car and no room for it to pass them safely in the road. I'm certainly not trying to say those people were being smart.



But I will say ... while runners and cyclists DEFINITELY have a responsibility to be visible and predictable, and you're definitely justified in your annoyance with them, what if it had been a deer, a dog, or a trash can in the road?

[marni]

There's a lot of local variation on whether pedestrians, are allowed in roadways or not when there's a sidewalk. And even more variation in practice and enforcement.

Running in the road may be safer as a general rule (fewer irregularities and softer surface), but obviously they ought to be visible to traffic, and to get on the freakin' sidewalk if there's an oncoming car and no room for it to pass them safely in the road. I'm certainly not trying to say those people were being smart.

But I will say ... while runners and cyclists DEFINITELY have a responsibility to be visible and predictable, and you're definitely justified in your annoyance with them, what if it had been a deer, a dog, or a trash can in the road?

In Texas I believe, although I haven't checked it really recently, that the law states that pedestrians people of foot ,no matter how they are ambulating or what speed the ambulations are occurring at, are not allowed in the roadway unless in a designated crossing or if there is no sidewalk available. I will check.

Had it been a deer, a dog, or a trash can, pedestrian, cat, biker whatever, I would have done my best to slow down, swerve to avoid it which is what I did with the people moving in a brisk fashion, down the roadway towards me, with nary a scrap of reflective clothing or a light to be seen, and why I was a bit miffed at them since there was a perfectly serviceable sidewalk and they gave me a scare and I almost ended up in an accident type situation through no fault of my own.

I didn't want to start a big legal and name calling debate. I was just questioning the common sense and survival instincts of that particular group of people in that particular time and place.

I bow my head in apology to anyone I accidentally offended or legally confused.

marni