There are so many people on my local town’s facebook group complaining about runners and cyclists not respecting distancing or about so many people being out walking when they wouldn’t usually. As a nascent runner I equally find the behaviour of other people out and about somewhat questionable. Not so much about giving each other space, but about the general rules of the road or pavement and common courtesy.
So here are some suggestions for etiquette we should use when exercising during lockdown.
1. Follow the highway code
The Highway Code recommendations for pedestrians say:
If there is no pavement, keep to the right-hand side of the road so that you can see oncoming traffic. You should take extra care and be prepared to walk in single file, especially on narrow roads or in poor light and keep close to the side of the road. It may be safer to cross the road well before a sharp right-hand bend so that oncoming traffic has a better chance of seeing you. Cross back after the bend.
See that, walk on the right. That means you’re facing oncoming traffic on your side of the road so you can see them and they can see you. The traffic coming from behind you is on the left, further away from you, so less likely to pass very close or hit you if they don’t see you and you don’t see them. This is especially important when you have head phones in. If you walk on the left, the cars on the same side of the road are coming from behind you – you can’t see them.
When lots of people are out walking and some are on the left and some on the right, running in the same direction is rather tricky, it turns into a slalom.
I lost count of the number of people walking or running on the left today. I assume they usually drive and they’re just maintaining the same location they’re used to. But it’s just not as safe.
2. Give way to those less mobile
If you’re walking on a path and there are people coming the other way or walking more slowly in the same direction who are less mobile than you – young children, older people, those with additional needs – don’t wait to see if they’re going to move. You take care and go out of your way to give them space. It might mean walking in longer grass or on rougher ground, but that’s easier for most of us than those others.
3. Don’t make someone going up hill stop
If you encounter a runner or cyclist going up hill, be kind to their legs and let them keep moving. Maybe they’ll need to slow down but don’t make them stop because we all know how hard it is to get going again running or biking up hill.
4. If in doubt, stop and step back
If the other person isn’t giving way, no matter who you think ought to be making space, you have to make it. Who cares about forcing someone else to do the right thing, standing your ground isn’t worth the risk.
5. Keep it friendly
Always, always exchange a hello and a thank you. Who knows, the person you’re passing might live alone and be out of work – that might be their one and only social interaction of the day. So above all, be friendly, kind and thoughtful.
Smelly Socks and Garden Peas 
Lovely metaphor! And it is beautiful to see more and more people become conscious of what they can do that can help. However little it is. Your last point was heart warming and so important, beautiful to see it included.
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Thanks for reading and for your kind words
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Such great tips here to look out for others on the road! It’s a shame this stuff needs to be said and people aren’t as courteous naturally. We take walks daily along busy roads and it amazes me how many people don’t walk on the side of incoming traffic! It can be so dangerous otherwise
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I know right?! Glad there are some other sensible folk out there like you.
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This is great advice for EVERYONE! I saw a horse rider on the wrong side of the road the other day, I was so cross i stopped and politely reminded them, I was so worried about their safety but the horse too.
During Covid, I have noticed a big increase in runners/cyclists/walkers and it is true that some of them will be new to this so these points are really important x
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I get so annoyed when I meet someone coming in the opposite direction on the same side as me.
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Great words of advice for anyone and everyone! We live in a built up area on the outskirts of the city, but if you walk 5 minutes in one direction you’re in the country. What’s amazing is the number of people who don’t know to stay on their right hand side! It’s just something we had drilled into us in school.
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Me too! It drive me up the wall.
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This has got so many great tips in it! I live out in the country with my family, we always follow the highway code. However, the amount of people who are on the wrong side is huge – obviously, we just cross over if they don’t move but it’s a bit of a pain…
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Its turning into a bit of a bug bear for me lately.
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Great tips…although I have to mentally swap out right and left when reading because I live in Canada and we drive on the opposite side. May common sense and common courtesy prevail!
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Wouldn’t it be nice if sense and manners were commonplace.
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Yes! This has been a HUGE topic of discussion on our local Facebook pages too.
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I hit enter before I meant to 🤦♀️ this is a great list and a wondering reminder for people to just be civil.
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Thanks. I really want to say it on my local group but I daren’t cos people are horrid
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They really are! I want to share this to my local group but I know it will turn ugly 😬
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