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Do pedestrians imitate automotive traffic?
When walking on the road, is it safer to walk in the same or opposite direction as the traffic?Is there a difference between green traffic lights and blinking green traffic lights?When walking on the road, is it safer to walk in the same or opposite direction as the traffic?When do pedestrians have right of way in Australia?Button for pedestrian traffic lights in GermanyRoundabout in left drive countriesCoordinated traffic lightsShould I walk facing traffic when walking on a bike trail?What does amber - green traffic light mean in South Korea?
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I'm from the USA, where we drive on the right side of the street. When walking, I always felt like heavily trafficked areas manage themselves by imitating the automotive traffic (usually). Pedestrians approaching each other on the foot path avoid collision, typically, by veering right.
I haven't spent much time walking in left-lane oriented countries, but I've found myself in Melbourne Australia this week, mostly walking to get around. I feel like the other pedestrians want to veer left, not right. Is this typical, or is it just me? Do pedestrians imitate the order given to their automotive traffic? Do Australians veer left?
driving australia walking
edited Jul 20 at 21:43
Notts90
3924 silver badges14 bronze badges
asked Jul 19 at 2:22
2770127701
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show 3 more comments
I'm from the USA, where we drive on the right side of the street. When walking, I always felt like heavily trafficked areas manage themselves by imitating the automotive traffic (usually). Pedestrians approaching each other on the foot path avoid collision, typically, by veering right.
I haven't spent much time walking in left-lane oriented countries, but I've found myself in Melbourne Australia this week, mostly walking to get around. I feel like the other pedestrians want to veer left, not right. Is this typical, or is it just me? Do pedestrians imitate the order given to their automotive traffic? Do Australians veer left?
driving australia walking
edited Jul 20 at 21:43
Notts90
3924 silver badges14 bronze badges
asked Jul 19 at 2:22
2770127701
3843 silver badges11 bronze badges
4
I'm tempted to say there's a duplicate around somewhere, where a UK user asked whether they were right in their observation that in the US you have to walk on the right, as their UK experience was that there was no standard.
– AndyT
Jul 19 at 11:35
3
In the Netherlands we also tend to go to the right. Btw, if in doubt, I sometimes hold my hand slightly more to the right (into the direction where I want to walk); by occupying like 6 inches more into the ' empty space' on the right, the person in front of me automatically veer to the left.
– Michel Keijzers
Jul 19 at 12:07
3
Interesting note: while Russia is right-lane oriented, in subway pedestrians are asked to go on left side of wide bidirectional passages. However, on escalators everybody stay on the right, so there's no complete answer I think :-).
– val
Jul 19 at 12:54
2
@val Different stations in the Tokyo metro have signs telling you to keep left/right, on what appeared to me to be a completely random per station basis, but presumably had something to do with the traffic patterns. I think one notable station had both types of signs in different areas.
– mbrig
Jul 19 at 19:44
2
There can also be other rules at play. I was taught that I gentleman should always take the side closer to the road when sharing the walkway with a lady. Also, if you're approaching someone that might be slightly risky in a semi-bad part of town, you might prefer the side closer to the road so you can't be cornered against the wall if things turn bad.
– JoL
Jul 20 at 17:13
|
show 3 more comments
I'm from the USA, where we drive on the right side of the street. When walking, I always felt like heavily trafficked areas manage themselves by imitating the automotive traffic (usually). Pedestrians approaching each other on the foot path avoid collision, typically, by veering right.
I haven't spent much time walking in left-lane oriented countries, but I've found myself in Melbourne Australia this week, mostly walking to get around. I feel like the other pedestrians want to veer left, not right. Is this typical, or is it just me? Do pedestrians imitate the order given to their automotive traffic? Do Australians veer left?
driving australia walking
edited Jul 20 at 21:43
Notts90
3924 silver badges14 bronze badges
asked Jul 19 at 2:22
2770127701
3843 silver badges11 bronze badges
I'm from the USA, where we drive on the right side of the street. When walking, I always felt like heavily trafficked areas manage themselves by imitating the automotive traffic (usually). Pedestrians approaching each other on the foot path avoid collision, typically, by veering right.
I haven't spent much time walking in left-lane oriented countries, but I've found myself in Melbourne Australia this week, mostly walking to get around. I feel like the other pedestrians want to veer left, not right. Is this typical, or is it just me? Do pedestrians imitate the order given to their automotive traffic? Do Australians veer left?
driving australia walking
driving australia walking
edited Jul 20 at 21:43
Notts90
3924 silver badges14 bronze badges
asked Jul 19 at 2:22
2770127701
3843 silver badges11 bronze badges
edited Jul 20 at 21:43
Notts90
3924 silver badges14 bronze badges
asked Jul 19 at 2:22
2770127701
3843 silver badges11 bronze badges
edited Jul 20 at 21:43
Notts90
3924 silver badges14 bronze badges
edited Jul 20 at 21:43
Notts90
3924 silver badges14 bronze badges
edited Jul 20 at 21:43
Notts90
3924 silver badges14 bronze badges
3924 silver badges14 bronze badges
asked Jul 19 at 2:22
2770127701
3843 silver badges11 bronze badges
asked Jul 19 at 2:22
2770127701
3843 silver badges11 bronze badges
asked Jul 19 at 2:22
2770127701
3843 silver badges11 bronze badges
3843 silver badges11 bronze badges
4
I'm tempted to say there's a duplicate around somewhere, where a UK user asked whether they were right in their observation that in the US you have to walk on the right, as their UK experience was that there was no standard.
– AndyT
Jul 19 at 11:35
3
In the Netherlands we also tend to go to the right. Btw, if in doubt, I sometimes hold my hand slightly more to the right (into the direction where I want to walk); by occupying like 6 inches more into the ' empty space' on the right, the person in front of me automatically veer to the left.
– Michel Keijzers
Jul 19 at 12:07
3
Interesting note: while Russia is right-lane oriented, in subway pedestrians are asked to go on left side of wide bidirectional passages. However, on escalators everybody stay on the right, so there's no complete answer I think :-).
– val
Jul 19 at 12:54
2
@val Different stations in the Tokyo metro have signs telling you to keep left/right, on what appeared to me to be a completely random per station basis, but presumably had something to do with the traffic patterns. I think one notable station had both types of signs in different areas.
– mbrig
Jul 19 at 19:44
2
There can also be other rules at play. I was taught that I gentleman should always take the side closer to the road when sharing the walkway with a lady. Also, if you're approaching someone that might be slightly risky in a semi-bad part of town, you might prefer the side closer to the road so you can't be cornered against the wall if things turn bad.
– JoL
Jul 20 at 17:13
|
show 3 more comments
4
I'm tempted to say there's a duplicate around somewhere, where a UK user asked whether they were right in their observation that in the US you have to walk on the right, as their UK experience was that there was no standard.
– AndyT
Jul 19 at 11:35
3
In the Netherlands we also tend to go to the right. Btw, if in doubt, I sometimes hold my hand slightly more to the right (into the direction where I want to walk); by occupying like 6 inches more into the ' empty space' on the right, the person in front of me automatically veer to the left.
– Michel Keijzers
Jul 19 at 12:07
3
Interesting note: while Russia is right-lane oriented, in subway pedestrians are asked to go on left side of wide bidirectional passages. However, on escalators everybody stay on the right, so there's no complete answer I think :-).
– val
Jul 19 at 12:54
2
@val Different stations in the Tokyo metro have signs telling you to keep left/right, on what appeared to me to be a completely random per station basis, but presumably had something to do with the traffic patterns. I think one notable station had both types of signs in different areas.
– mbrig
Jul 19 at 19:44
2
There can also be other rules at play. I was taught that I gentleman should always take the side closer to the road when sharing the walkway with a lady. Also, if you're approaching someone that might be slightly risky in a semi-bad part of town, you might prefer the side closer to the road so you can't be cornered against the wall if things turn bad.
– JoL
Jul 20 at 17:13
4
4
I'm tempted to say there's a duplicate around somewhere, where a UK user asked whether they were right in their observation that in the US you have to walk on the right, as their UK experience was that there was no standard.
– AndyT
Jul 19 at 11:35
I'm tempted to say there's a duplicate around somewhere, where a UK user asked whether they were right in their observation that in the US you have to walk on the right, as their UK experience was that there was no standard.
– AndyT
Jul 19 at 11:35
3
3
In the Netherlands we also tend to go to the right. Btw, if in doubt, I sometimes hold my hand slightly more to the right (into the direction where I want to walk); by occupying like 6 inches more into the ' empty space' on the right, the person in front of me automatically veer to the left.
– Michel Keijzers
Jul 19 at 12:07
In the Netherlands we also tend to go to the right. Btw, if in doubt, I sometimes hold my hand slightly more to the right (into the direction where I want to walk); by occupying like 6 inches more into the ' empty space' on the right, the person in front of me automatically veer to the left.
– Michel Keijzers
Jul 19 at 12:07
3
3
Interesting note: while Russia is right-lane oriented, in subway pedestrians are asked to go on left side of wide bidirectional passages. However, on escalators everybody stay on the right, so there's no complete answer I think :-).
– val
Jul 19 at 12:54
Interesting note: while Russia is right-lane oriented, in subway pedestrians are asked to go on left side of wide bidirectional passages. However, on escalators everybody stay on the right, so there's no complete answer I think :-).
– val
Jul 19 at 12:54
2
2
@val Different stations in the Tokyo metro have signs telling you to keep left/right, on what appeared to me to be a completely random per station basis, but presumably had something to do with the traffic patterns. I think one notable station had both types of signs in different areas.
– mbrig
Jul 19 at 19:44
@val Different stations in the Tokyo metro have signs telling you to keep left/right, on what appeared to me to be a completely random per station basis, but presumably had something to do with the traffic patterns. I think one notable station had both types of signs in different areas.
– mbrig
Jul 19 at 19:44
2
2
There can also be other rules at play. I was taught that I gentleman should always take the side closer to the road when sharing the walkway with a lady. Also, if you're approaching someone that might be slightly risky in a semi-bad part of town, you might prefer the side closer to the road so you can't be cornered against the wall if things turn bad.
– JoL
Jul 20 at 17:13
There can also be other rules at play. I was taught that I gentleman should always take the side closer to the road when sharing the walkway with a lady. Also, if you're approaching someone that might be slightly risky in a semi-bad part of town, you might prefer the side closer to the road so you can't be cornered against the wall if things turn bad.
– JoL
Jul 20 at 17:13
|
show 3 more comments
6 Answers
6
active
oldest
votes
In Australia, people are encouraged to keep to the left in busy pedestrian areas. For example, here is a sign posted in a railway station in Sydney:
In addition, doors, walkways and other structures are placed assuming pedestrians keep to the left. For example, you may notice that in Australia ticket gates, one-way doors and escalators are placed so that they are accessible from the left, and revolving doors rotate clockwise so you would enter and exit on the left.
answered Jul 19 at 8:13
k2moo4k2moo4
4,5421 gold badge15 silver badges28 bronze badges
25
I would have guessed a sign in that position in Oz is meant to be read by dogs and small marsupials, not by humans :)
– alephzero
Jul 19 at 11:58
24
You have just saved me considerable embarrassment if I ever attempt to use a revolving door in Australia.
– Nuclear Wang
Jul 19 at 12:47
3
In my secondary school, we had signs everywhere saying "Please walk on the left" in 8 different languages. School is a great example of heavy foot traffic between periods.
– Dean Meehan
Jul 19 at 15:44
1
@NuclearWang Revolving doors in the US can go both ways, but the pushbars on non-automatic ones are only on one side of the panels, which makes figuring it out unconscious.
– chrylis -on strike-
Jul 19 at 23:54
5
In Australia revolving doors rotate clockwise due to Coriolis Effect.
– gboffi
Jul 21 at 21:37
|
show 3 more comments
This actually serves a practical purpose, and relates to something else: walking on a road that does not have an adjacent pavement/footpath, you are instructed to face incoming traffic. That is to say, in countries where you drive on the left of the road, you walk on the right of the road.
This means that you can see the vehicles that you (might) need to avoid or wave at to get the attention of, instead of being unexpectedly hit from behind by an inattentive driver.
By pedestrians passing on the same side as cars do, it means that the pedestrian who is now closer to the traffic is also facing the oncoming traffic - for exactly the same reasons given above.
answered Jul 19 at 10:43
ChronocidalChronocidal
3411 silver badge4 bronze badges
8
As a footnote to this, certain codes of etiquette suggest that groups traditionally considered more vulnerable (with varying degrees of rationality children, animals, the elderly and women) should always be passed to the carriageway side.
– origimbo
Jul 19 at 13:14
At least in the US this is true. Unfortunately many people don't seem to know or follow it though.
– Captain Man
Jul 19 at 15:13
1
@origimbo I always have young children and strollers pass on the safest side if it's a narrow path.
– 27701
Jul 19 at 19:15
1
This is not true for some countries. In Myanmar, for example, where pedestrian traffic was considered the same as vehicle, bicycle, and animal traffic, you walk in the same direction as the traffic. (I asked a local when I was there and was informed of this very sternly.)
– Roddy of the Frozen Peas
Jul 19 at 22:04
While it is indeed better to walk on the "wrong" side of the road (when walking on the road), in my experience, most people tend to walk on the "right" side naturally and only consciously go to the better "wrong" side. That serves - in my opinion - as proof that people do in fact naturally veer to imitate the automotive traffic, more so than what is the better thing to do.
– Jasper
Jul 22 at 11:36
add a comment
|
If you ask a bunch of people this question, you'll usually get one of two answers:
- Pedestrians pass each other on the same side as vehicle traffic does
- It doesn't matter
So, if you are in Australia then you aren't likely to run into problems if you veer to the left. The people who answer (1) above will expect you to do so, and the people who answer (2) won't care.
What you don't generally want to do is veer to the right, where people who are expecting (1) above will do a little "I'm really trying not to walk straight into you" dance.
(Just like in the USA, where if you veer to the left then you run the risk of walking into people who insist on veering to their right. Again, for people who don't think it matters then there won't be a problem either way.)
answered Jul 19 at 3:11
Greg HewgillGreg Hewgill
31.2k3 gold badges84 silver badges115 bronze badges
Sound logic. I was hoping for more verification that pedestrians imitate autos ... My experience this week thus far has been a lot of "I'm really trying not to walk straight into you" dancing, because I veer right out of habit.
– 27701
Jul 19 at 3:14
3
Correct. If you pick a side (in Melbourne), pick left. I don't know of any places where there is a usual pedestrian side which does not follow the vehicle side. But there are a lot of places where there is no "usual" pedestrian side and it's a free-for-all.
– Greg Hewgill
Jul 19 at 3:17
My experience as a runner along a downtown canal walkway in a midwest US city is that the majority fall into category 3) "Not paying enough attention to even notice". I also noticed that last summer during a few short days in London, most there fell into category 2). I found both quite frustrating as I'm very much in category 1).
– FreeMan
Jul 19 at 13:31
Third opinion: keep right; because it's the same as the pedestrian-car interaction (which is always the opposite of car-car interaction).
– Joshua
Jul 19 at 15:53
1
@only_pro Well, I'd be interested in seeing it. It might make a good answer.
– 27701
Jul 19 at 20:44
|
show 6 more comments
Yes, except on escalators (at least in England).
In England, on escalators on train stations and underground stations, "traffic" is actually continental. I was surprised to see signs that instruct people to stand to the right, pass to the left, exactly as one would do in France or Germany, and exactly opposite to wheeled traffic, which of course would pass to the right exclusively. I don't know if this convention applies when not signposted; there tend to be many signs in English train stations (including for such wisdoms as "don't take a suitcase on the escalator", "drink plenty of water", and "if you see something, contact the police")
answered Jul 19 at 8:49
gerritgerrit
31.2k13 gold badges107 silver badges239 bronze badges
That's just escalators though. Passageways vary - some are keep left, some are keep right.
– AakashM
Jul 19 at 8:59
Interestingly, in Japan (driving on the left), it's customary to stand on escalators on the left and pass on the right. This caught me out more than once.
– Aleks G
Jul 19 at 10:49
2
Except where signposted (which is usually in busy pedestrian passageways, stairs and escalators in railway stations), there is no convention whatsoever of pedestrians keeping to one side or the other in the UK. The closest to a convention is that one is advised not to walk at the kerbside or in the road with one's back to the traffic; that amounts to "keep left" if the pavement is only wide enough for two pedestrians, but that's usually not the case.
– David Richerby
Jul 19 at 10:56
6
@DavidRicherby Walk facing traffic is a common rule, but not on escalators :-)
– gerrit
Jul 19 at 11:15
@AleksG It depends where in Japan. In Kansai (Osaka, etc.) it's stand on the left.
– John
Jul 19 at 11:24
|
show 9 more comments
There are actually three options, not two. There are countries where pedestrians pass each other on the right, which generally also drive on the right. There are countries where pedestrians pass each other on the left, which generally also drive on the left. But there are also countries like the UK, where there is no general rule (for pedestrians; there obviously is for driving), and pedestrians approaching each other work out which way to go on a case-by-case basis using tiny cues (and sometimes get it wrong, and both of them keep swapping from side to side).
When someone from a country that always passes on the same side visits somewhere with no such standard, they tend to bump into people.
answered Jul 21 at 6:26
Mike ScottMike Scott
4553 silver badges6 bronze badges
These days you can add a 4th one too: people with a mobile phone in their hands who expect everyone else to work around them no matter what...
– Flexo
Jul 21 at 21:09
add a comment
|
I can tell you that, as a transplant to Melbourne, I wish people kept to the left. In practise, in this particular city, they seem to wander wherever they please, oblivious to everyone else on the footpath.
answered Jul 22 at 3:59
LenLen
1212 bronze badges
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6 Answers
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In Australia, people are encouraged to keep to the left in busy pedestrian areas. For example, here is a sign posted in a railway station in Sydney:
In addition, doors, walkways and other structures are placed assuming pedestrians keep to the left. For example, you may notice that in Australia ticket gates, one-way doors and escalators are placed so that they are accessible from the left, and revolving doors rotate clockwise so you would enter and exit on the left.
answered Jul 19 at 8:13
k2moo4k2moo4
4,5421 gold badge15 silver badges28 bronze badges
25
I would have guessed a sign in that position in Oz is meant to be read by dogs and small marsupials, not by humans :)
– alephzero
Jul 19 at 11:58
24
You have just saved me considerable embarrassment if I ever attempt to use a revolving door in Australia.
– Nuclear Wang
Jul 19 at 12:47
3
In my secondary school, we had signs everywhere saying "Please walk on the left" in 8 different languages. School is a great example of heavy foot traffic between periods.
– Dean Meehan
Jul 19 at 15:44
1
@NuclearWang Revolving doors in the US can go both ways, but the pushbars on non-automatic ones are only on one side of the panels, which makes figuring it out unconscious.
– chrylis -on strike-
Jul 19 at 23:54
5
In Australia revolving doors rotate clockwise due to Coriolis Effect.
– gboffi
Jul 21 at 21:37
|
show 3 more comments
In Australia, people are encouraged to keep to the left in busy pedestrian areas. For example, here is a sign posted in a railway station in Sydney:
In addition, doors, walkways and other structures are placed assuming pedestrians keep to the left. For example, you may notice that in Australia ticket gates, one-way doors and escalators are placed so that they are accessible from the left, and revolving doors rotate clockwise so you would enter and exit on the left.
answered Jul 19 at 8:13
k2moo4k2moo4
4,5421 gold badge15 silver badges28 bronze badges
25
I would have guessed a sign in that position in Oz is meant to be read by dogs and small marsupials, not by humans :)
– alephzero
Jul 19 at 11:58
24
You have just saved me considerable embarrassment if I ever attempt to use a revolving door in Australia.
– Nuclear Wang
Jul 19 at 12:47
3
In my secondary school, we had signs everywhere saying "Please walk on the left" in 8 different languages. School is a great example of heavy foot traffic between periods.
– Dean Meehan
Jul 19 at 15:44
1
@NuclearWang Revolving doors in the US can go both ways, but the pushbars on non-automatic ones are only on one side of the panels, which makes figuring it out unconscious.
– chrylis -on strike-
Jul 19 at 23:54
5
In Australia revolving doors rotate clockwise due to Coriolis Effect.
– gboffi
Jul 21 at 21:37
|
show 3 more comments
In Australia, people are encouraged to keep to the left in busy pedestrian areas. For example, here is a sign posted in a railway station in Sydney:
In addition, doors, walkways and other structures are placed assuming pedestrians keep to the left. For example, you may notice that in Australia ticket gates, one-way doors and escalators are placed so that they are accessible from the left, and revolving doors rotate clockwise so you would enter and exit on the left.
answered Jul 19 at 8:13
k2moo4k2moo4
4,5421 gold badge15 silver badges28 bronze badges
In Australia, people are encouraged to keep to the left in busy pedestrian areas. For example, here is a sign posted in a railway station in Sydney:
In addition, doors, walkways and other structures are placed assuming pedestrians keep to the left. For example, you may notice that in Australia ticket gates, one-way doors and escalators are placed so that they are accessible from the left, and revolving doors rotate clockwise so you would enter and exit on the left.
answered Jul 19 at 8:13
k2moo4k2moo4
4,5421 gold badge15 silver badges28 bronze badges
answered Jul 19 at 8:13
k2moo4k2moo4
4,5421 gold badge15 silver badges28 bronze badges
answered Jul 19 at 8:13
k2moo4k2moo4
4,5421 gold badge15 silver badges28 bronze badges
answered Jul 19 at 8:13
k2moo4k2moo4
4,5421 gold badge15 silver badges28 bronze badges
4,5421 gold badge15 silver badges28 bronze badges
25
I would have guessed a sign in that position in Oz is meant to be read by dogs and small marsupials, not by humans :)
– alephzero
Jul 19 at 11:58
24
You have just saved me considerable embarrassment if I ever attempt to use a revolving door in Australia.
– Nuclear Wang
Jul 19 at 12:47
3
In my secondary school, we had signs everywhere saying "Please walk on the left" in 8 different languages. School is a great example of heavy foot traffic between periods.
– Dean Meehan
Jul 19 at 15:44
1
@NuclearWang Revolving doors in the US can go both ways, but the pushbars on non-automatic ones are only on one side of the panels, which makes figuring it out unconscious.
– chrylis -on strike-
Jul 19 at 23:54
5
In Australia revolving doors rotate clockwise due to Coriolis Effect.
– gboffi
Jul 21 at 21:37
|
show 3 more comments
25
I would have guessed a sign in that position in Oz is meant to be read by dogs and small marsupials, not by humans :)
– alephzero
Jul 19 at 11:58
24
You have just saved me considerable embarrassment if I ever attempt to use a revolving door in Australia.
– Nuclear Wang
Jul 19 at 12:47
3
In my secondary school, we had signs everywhere saying "Please walk on the left" in 8 different languages. School is a great example of heavy foot traffic between periods.
– Dean Meehan
Jul 19 at 15:44
1
@NuclearWang Revolving doors in the US can go both ways, but the pushbars on non-automatic ones are only on one side of the panels, which makes figuring it out unconscious.
– chrylis -on strike-
Jul 19 at 23:54
5
In Australia revolving doors rotate clockwise due to Coriolis Effect.
– gboffi
Jul 21 at 21:37
25
25
I would have guessed a sign in that position in Oz is meant to be read by dogs and small marsupials, not by humans :)
– alephzero
Jul 19 at 11:58
I would have guessed a sign in that position in Oz is meant to be read by dogs and small marsupials, not by humans :)
– alephzero
Jul 19 at 11:58
24
24
You have just saved me considerable embarrassment if I ever attempt to use a revolving door in Australia.
– Nuclear Wang
Jul 19 at 12:47
You have just saved me considerable embarrassment if I ever attempt to use a revolving door in Australia.
– Nuclear Wang
Jul 19 at 12:47
3
3
In my secondary school, we had signs everywhere saying "Please walk on the left" in 8 different languages. School is a great example of heavy foot traffic between periods.
– Dean Meehan
Jul 19 at 15:44
In my secondary school, we had signs everywhere saying "Please walk on the left" in 8 different languages. School is a great example of heavy foot traffic between periods.
– Dean Meehan
Jul 19 at 15:44
1
1
@NuclearWang Revolving doors in the US can go both ways, but the pushbars on non-automatic ones are only on one side of the panels, which makes figuring it out unconscious.
– chrylis -on strike-
Jul 19 at 23:54
@NuclearWang Revolving doors in the US can go both ways, but the pushbars on non-automatic ones are only on one side of the panels, which makes figuring it out unconscious.
– chrylis -on strike-
Jul 19 at 23:54
5
5
In Australia revolving doors rotate clockwise due to Coriolis Effect.
– gboffi
Jul 21 at 21:37
In Australia revolving doors rotate clockwise due to Coriolis Effect.
– gboffi
Jul 21 at 21:37
|
show 3 more comments
This actually serves a practical purpose, and relates to something else: walking on a road that does not have an adjacent pavement/footpath, you are instructed to face incoming traffic. That is to say, in countries where you drive on the left of the road, you walk on the right of the road.
This means that you can see the vehicles that you (might) need to avoid or wave at to get the attention of, instead of being unexpectedly hit from behind by an inattentive driver.
By pedestrians passing on the same side as cars do, it means that the pedestrian who is now closer to the traffic is also facing the oncoming traffic - for exactly the same reasons given above.
answered Jul 19 at 10:43
ChronocidalChronocidal
3411 silver badge4 bronze badges
8
As a footnote to this, certain codes of etiquette suggest that groups traditionally considered more vulnerable (with varying degrees of rationality children, animals, the elderly and women) should always be passed to the carriageway side.
– origimbo
Jul 19 at 13:14
At least in the US this is true. Unfortunately many people don't seem to know or follow it though.
– Captain Man
Jul 19 at 15:13
1
@origimbo I always have young children and strollers pass on the safest side if it's a narrow path.
– 27701
Jul 19 at 19:15
1
This is not true for some countries. In Myanmar, for example, where pedestrian traffic was considered the same as vehicle, bicycle, and animal traffic, you walk in the same direction as the traffic. (I asked a local when I was there and was informed of this very sternly.)
– Roddy of the Frozen Peas
Jul 19 at 22:04
While it is indeed better to walk on the "wrong" side of the road (when walking on the road), in my experience, most people tend to walk on the "right" side naturally and only consciously go to the better "wrong" side. That serves - in my opinion - as proof that people do in fact naturally veer to imitate the automotive traffic, more so than what is the better thing to do.
– Jasper
Jul 22 at 11:36
add a comment
|
This actually serves a practical purpose, and relates to something else: walking on a road that does not have an adjacent pavement/footpath, you are instructed to face incoming traffic. That is to say, in countries where you drive on the left of the road, you walk on the right of the road.
This means that you can see the vehicles that you (might) need to avoid or wave at to get the attention of, instead of being unexpectedly hit from behind by an inattentive driver.
By pedestrians passing on the same side as cars do, it means that the pedestrian who is now closer to the traffic is also facing the oncoming traffic - for exactly the same reasons given above.
answered Jul 19 at 10:43
ChronocidalChronocidal
3411 silver badge4 bronze badges
8
As a footnote to this, certain codes of etiquette suggest that groups traditionally considered more vulnerable (with varying degrees of rationality children, animals, the elderly and women) should always be passed to the carriageway side.
– origimbo
Jul 19 at 13:14
At least in the US this is true. Unfortunately many people don't seem to know or follow it though.
– Captain Man
Jul 19 at 15:13
1
@origimbo I always have young children and strollers pass on the safest side if it's a narrow path.
– 27701
Jul 19 at 19:15
1
This is not true for some countries. In Myanmar, for example, where pedestrian traffic was considered the same as vehicle, bicycle, and animal traffic, you walk in the same direction as the traffic. (I asked a local when I was there and was informed of this very sternly.)
– Roddy of the Frozen Peas
Jul 19 at 22:04
While it is indeed better to walk on the "wrong" side of the road (when walking on the road), in my experience, most people tend to walk on the "right" side naturally and only consciously go to the better "wrong" side. That serves - in my opinion - as proof that people do in fact naturally veer to imitate the automotive traffic, more so than what is the better thing to do.
– Jasper
Jul 22 at 11:36
add a comment
|
This actually serves a practical purpose, and relates to something else: walking on a road that does not have an adjacent pavement/footpath, you are instructed to face incoming traffic. That is to say, in countries where you drive on the left of the road, you walk on the right of the road.
This means that you can see the vehicles that you (might) need to avoid or wave at to get the attention of, instead of being unexpectedly hit from behind by an inattentive driver.
By pedestrians passing on the same side as cars do, it means that the pedestrian who is now closer to the traffic is also facing the oncoming traffic - for exactly the same reasons given above.
answered Jul 19 at 10:43
ChronocidalChronocidal
3411 silver badge4 bronze badges
This actually serves a practical purpose, and relates to something else: walking on a road that does not have an adjacent pavement/footpath, you are instructed to face incoming traffic. That is to say, in countries where you drive on the left of the road, you walk on the right of the road.
This means that you can see the vehicles that you (might) need to avoid or wave at to get the attention of, instead of being unexpectedly hit from behind by an inattentive driver.
By pedestrians passing on the same side as cars do, it means that the pedestrian who is now closer to the traffic is also facing the oncoming traffic - for exactly the same reasons given above.
answered Jul 19 at 10:43
ChronocidalChronocidal
3411 silver badge4 bronze badges
answered Jul 19 at 10:43
ChronocidalChronocidal
3411 silver badge4 bronze badges
answered Jul 19 at 10:43
ChronocidalChronocidal
3411 silver badge4 bronze badges
answered Jul 19 at 10:43
ChronocidalChronocidal
3411 silver badge4 bronze badges
3411 silver badge4 bronze badges
8
As a footnote to this, certain codes of etiquette suggest that groups traditionally considered more vulnerable (with varying degrees of rationality children, animals, the elderly and women) should always be passed to the carriageway side.
– origimbo
Jul 19 at 13:14
At least in the US this is true. Unfortunately many people don't seem to know or follow it though.
– Captain Man
Jul 19 at 15:13
1
@origimbo I always have young children and strollers pass on the safest side if it's a narrow path.
– 27701
Jul 19 at 19:15
1
This is not true for some countries. In Myanmar, for example, where pedestrian traffic was considered the same as vehicle, bicycle, and animal traffic, you walk in the same direction as the traffic. (I asked a local when I was there and was informed of this very sternly.)
– Roddy of the Frozen Peas
Jul 19 at 22:04
While it is indeed better to walk on the "wrong" side of the road (when walking on the road), in my experience, most people tend to walk on the "right" side naturally and only consciously go to the better "wrong" side. That serves - in my opinion - as proof that people do in fact naturally veer to imitate the automotive traffic, more so than what is the better thing to do.
– Jasper
Jul 22 at 11:36
add a comment
|
8
As a footnote to this, certain codes of etiquette suggest that groups traditionally considered more vulnerable (with varying degrees of rationality children, animals, the elderly and women) should always be passed to the carriageway side.
– origimbo
Jul 19 at 13:14
At least in the US this is true. Unfortunately many people don't seem to know or follow it though.
– Captain Man
Jul 19 at 15:13
1
@origimbo I always have young children and strollers pass on the safest side if it's a narrow path.
– 27701
Jul 19 at 19:15
1
This is not true for some countries. In Myanmar, for example, where pedestrian traffic was considered the same as vehicle, bicycle, and animal traffic, you walk in the same direction as the traffic. (I asked a local when I was there and was informed of this very sternly.)
– Roddy of the Frozen Peas
Jul 19 at 22:04
While it is indeed better to walk on the "wrong" side of the road (when walking on the road), in my experience, most people tend to walk on the "right" side naturally and only consciously go to the better "wrong" side. That serves - in my opinion - as proof that people do in fact naturally veer to imitate the automotive traffic, more so than what is the better thing to do.
– Jasper
Jul 22 at 11:36
8
8
As a footnote to this, certain codes of etiquette suggest that groups traditionally considered more vulnerable (with varying degrees of rationality children, animals, the elderly and women) should always be passed to the carriageway side.
– origimbo
Jul 19 at 13:14
As a footnote to this, certain codes of etiquette suggest that groups traditionally considered more vulnerable (with varying degrees of rationality children, animals, the elderly and women) should always be passed to the carriageway side.
– origimbo
Jul 19 at 13:14
At least in the US this is true. Unfortunately many people don't seem to know or follow it though.
– Captain Man
Jul 19 at 15:13
At least in the US this is true. Unfortunately many people don't seem to know or follow it though.
– Captain Man
Jul 19 at 15:13
1
1
@origimbo I always have young children and strollers pass on the safest side if it's a narrow path.
– 27701
Jul 19 at 19:15
@origimbo I always have young children and strollers pass on the safest side if it's a narrow path.
– 27701
Jul 19 at 19:15
1
1
This is not true for some countries. In Myanmar, for example, where pedestrian traffic was considered the same as vehicle, bicycle, and animal traffic, you walk in the same direction as the traffic. (I asked a local when I was there and was informed of this very sternly.)
– Roddy of the Frozen Peas
Jul 19 at 22:04
This is not true for some countries. In Myanmar, for example, where pedestrian traffic was considered the same as vehicle, bicycle, and animal traffic, you walk in the same direction as the traffic. (I asked a local when I was there and was informed of this very sternly.)
– Roddy of the Frozen Peas
Jul 19 at 22:04
While it is indeed better to walk on the "wrong" side of the road (when walking on the road), in my experience, most people tend to walk on the "right" side naturally and only consciously go to the better "wrong" side. That serves - in my opinion - as proof that people do in fact naturally veer to imitate the automotive traffic, more so than what is the better thing to do.
– Jasper
Jul 22 at 11:36
While it is indeed better to walk on the "wrong" side of the road (when walking on the road), in my experience, most people tend to walk on the "right" side naturally and only consciously go to the better "wrong" side. That serves - in my opinion - as proof that people do in fact naturally veer to imitate the automotive traffic, more so than what is the better thing to do.
– Jasper
Jul 22 at 11:36
add a comment
|
If you ask a bunch of people this question, you'll usually get one of two answers:
- Pedestrians pass each other on the same side as vehicle traffic does
- It doesn't matter
So, if you are in Australia then you aren't likely to run into problems if you veer to the left. The people who answer (1) above will expect you to do so, and the people who answer (2) won't care.
What you don't generally want to do is veer to the right, where people who are expecting (1) above will do a little "I'm really trying not to walk straight into you" dance.
(Just like in the USA, where if you veer to the left then you run the risk of walking into people who insist on veering to their right. Again, for people who don't think it matters then there won't be a problem either way.)
answered Jul 19 at 3:11
Greg HewgillGreg Hewgill
31.2k3 gold badges84 silver badges115 bronze badges
Sound logic. I was hoping for more verification that pedestrians imitate autos ... My experience this week thus far has been a lot of "I'm really trying not to walk straight into you" dancing, because I veer right out of habit.
– 27701
Jul 19 at 3:14
3
Correct. If you pick a side (in Melbourne), pick left. I don't know of any places where there is a usual pedestrian side which does not follow the vehicle side. But there are a lot of places where there is no "usual" pedestrian side and it's a free-for-all.
– Greg Hewgill
Jul 19 at 3:17
My experience as a runner along a downtown canal walkway in a midwest US city is that the majority fall into category 3) "Not paying enough attention to even notice". I also noticed that last summer during a few short days in London, most there fell into category 2). I found both quite frustrating as I'm very much in category 1).
– FreeMan
Jul 19 at 13:31
Third opinion: keep right; because it's the same as the pedestrian-car interaction (which is always the opposite of car-car interaction).
– Joshua
Jul 19 at 15:53
1
@only_pro Well, I'd be interested in seeing it. It might make a good answer.
– 27701
Jul 19 at 20:44
|
show 6 more comments
If you ask a bunch of people this question, you'll usually get one of two answers:
- Pedestrians pass each other on the same side as vehicle traffic does
- It doesn't matter
So, if you are in Australia then you aren't likely to run into problems if you veer to the left. The people who answer (1) above will expect you to do so, and the people who answer (2) won't care.
What you don't generally want to do is veer to the right, where people who are expecting (1) above will do a little "I'm really trying not to walk straight into you" dance.
(Just like in the USA, where if you veer to the left then you run the risk of walking into people who insist on veering to their right. Again, for people who don't think it matters then there won't be a problem either way.)
answered Jul 19 at 3:11
Greg HewgillGreg Hewgill
31.2k3 gold badges84 silver badges115 bronze badges
Sound logic. I was hoping for more verification that pedestrians imitate autos ... My experience this week thus far has been a lot of "I'm really trying not to walk straight into you" dancing, because I veer right out of habit.
– 27701
Jul 19 at 3:14
3
Correct. If you pick a side (in Melbourne), pick left. I don't know of any places where there is a usual pedestrian side which does not follow the vehicle side. But there are a lot of places where there is no "usual" pedestrian side and it's a free-for-all.
– Greg Hewgill
Jul 19 at 3:17
My experience as a runner along a downtown canal walkway in a midwest US city is that the majority fall into category 3) "Not paying enough attention to even notice". I also noticed that last summer during a few short days in London, most there fell into category 2). I found both quite frustrating as I'm very much in category 1).
– FreeMan
Jul 19 at 13:31
Third opinion: keep right; because it's the same as the pedestrian-car interaction (which is always the opposite of car-car interaction).
– Joshua
Jul 19 at 15:53
1
@only_pro Well, I'd be interested in seeing it. It might make a good answer.
– 27701
Jul 19 at 20:44
|
show 6 more comments
If you ask a bunch of people this question, you'll usually get one of two answers:
- Pedestrians pass each other on the same side as vehicle traffic does
- It doesn't matter
So, if you are in Australia then you aren't likely to run into problems if you veer to the left. The people who answer (1) above will expect you to do so, and the people who answer (2) won't care.
What you don't generally want to do is veer to the right, where people who are expecting (1) above will do a little "I'm really trying not to walk straight into you" dance.
(Just like in the USA, where if you veer to the left then you run the risk of walking into people who insist on veering to their right. Again, for people who don't think it matters then there won't be a problem either way.)
answered Jul 19 at 3:11
Greg HewgillGreg Hewgill
31.2k3 gold badges84 silver badges115 bronze badges
If you ask a bunch of people this question, you'll usually get one of two answers:
- Pedestrians pass each other on the same side as vehicle traffic does
- It doesn't matter
So, if you are in Australia then you aren't likely to run into problems if you veer to the left. The people who answer (1) above will expect you to do so, and the people who answer (2) won't care.
What you don't generally want to do is veer to the right, where people who are expecting (1) above will do a little "I'm really trying not to walk straight into you" dance.
(Just like in the USA, where if you veer to the left then you run the risk of walking into people who insist on veering to their right. Again, for people who don't think it matters then there won't be a problem either way.)
answered Jul 19 at 3:11
Greg HewgillGreg Hewgill
31.2k3 gold badges84 silver badges115 bronze badges
answered Jul 19 at 3:11
Greg HewgillGreg Hewgill
31.2k3 gold badges84 silver badges115 bronze badges
answered Jul 19 at 3:11
Greg HewgillGreg Hewgill
31.2k3 gold badges84 silver badges115 bronze badges
answered Jul 19 at 3:11
Greg HewgillGreg Hewgill
31.2k3 gold badges84 silver badges115 bronze badges
31.2k3 gold badges84 silver badges115 bronze badges
Sound logic. I was hoping for more verification that pedestrians imitate autos ... My experience this week thus far has been a lot of "I'm really trying not to walk straight into you" dancing, because I veer right out of habit.
– 27701
Jul 19 at 3:14
3
Correct. If you pick a side (in Melbourne), pick left. I don't know of any places where there is a usual pedestrian side which does not follow the vehicle side. But there are a lot of places where there is no "usual" pedestrian side and it's a free-for-all.
– Greg Hewgill
Jul 19 at 3:17
My experience as a runner along a downtown canal walkway in a midwest US city is that the majority fall into category 3) "Not paying enough attention to even notice". I also noticed that last summer during a few short days in London, most there fell into category 2). I found both quite frustrating as I'm very much in category 1).
– FreeMan
Jul 19 at 13:31
Third opinion: keep right; because it's the same as the pedestrian-car interaction (which is always the opposite of car-car interaction).
– Joshua
Jul 19 at 15:53
1
@only_pro Well, I'd be interested in seeing it. It might make a good answer.
– 27701
Jul 19 at 20:44
|
show 6 more comments
Sound logic. I was hoping for more verification that pedestrians imitate autos ... My experience this week thus far has been a lot of "I'm really trying not to walk straight into you" dancing, because I veer right out of habit.
– 27701
Jul 19 at 3:14
3
Correct. If you pick a side (in Melbourne), pick left. I don't know of any places where there is a usual pedestrian side which does not follow the vehicle side. But there are a lot of places where there is no "usual" pedestrian side and it's a free-for-all.
– Greg Hewgill
Jul 19 at 3:17
My experience as a runner along a downtown canal walkway in a midwest US city is that the majority fall into category 3) "Not paying enough attention to even notice". I also noticed that last summer during a few short days in London, most there fell into category 2). I found both quite frustrating as I'm very much in category 1).
– FreeMan
Jul 19 at 13:31
Third opinion: keep right; because it's the same as the pedestrian-car interaction (which is always the opposite of car-car interaction).
– Joshua
Jul 19 at 15:53
1
@only_pro Well, I'd be interested in seeing it. It might make a good answer.
– 27701
Jul 19 at 20:44
Sound logic. I was hoping for more verification that pedestrians imitate autos ... My experience this week thus far has been a lot of "I'm really trying not to walk straight into you" dancing, because I veer right out of habit.
– 27701
Jul 19 at 3:14
Sound logic. I was hoping for more verification that pedestrians imitate autos ... My experience this week thus far has been a lot of "I'm really trying not to walk straight into you" dancing, because I veer right out of habit.
– 27701
Jul 19 at 3:14
3
3
Correct. If you pick a side (in Melbourne), pick left. I don't know of any places where there is a usual pedestrian side which does not follow the vehicle side. But there are a lot of places where there is no "usual" pedestrian side and it's a free-for-all.
– Greg Hewgill
Jul 19 at 3:17
Correct. If you pick a side (in Melbourne), pick left. I don't know of any places where there is a usual pedestrian side which does not follow the vehicle side. But there are a lot of places where there is no "usual" pedestrian side and it's a free-for-all.
– Greg Hewgill
Jul 19 at 3:17
My experience as a runner along a downtown canal walkway in a midwest US city is that the majority fall into category 3) "Not paying enough attention to even notice". I also noticed that last summer during a few short days in London, most there fell into category 2). I found both quite frustrating as I'm very much in category 1).
– FreeMan
Jul 19 at 13:31
My experience as a runner along a downtown canal walkway in a midwest US city is that the majority fall into category 3) "Not paying enough attention to even notice". I also noticed that last summer during a few short days in London, most there fell into category 2). I found both quite frustrating as I'm very much in category 1).
– FreeMan
Jul 19 at 13:31
Third opinion: keep right; because it's the same as the pedestrian-car interaction (which is always the opposite of car-car interaction).
– Joshua
Jul 19 at 15:53
Third opinion: keep right; because it's the same as the pedestrian-car interaction (which is always the opposite of car-car interaction).
– Joshua
Jul 19 at 15:53
1
1
@only_pro Well, I'd be interested in seeing it. It might make a good answer.
– 27701
Jul 19 at 20:44
@only_pro Well, I'd be interested in seeing it. It might make a good answer.
– 27701
Jul 19 at 20:44
|
show 6 more comments
Yes, except on escalators (at least in England).
In England, on escalators on train stations and underground stations, "traffic" is actually continental. I was surprised to see signs that instruct people to stand to the right, pass to the left, exactly as one would do in France or Germany, and exactly opposite to wheeled traffic, which of course would pass to the right exclusively. I don't know if this convention applies when not signposted; there tend to be many signs in English train stations (including for such wisdoms as "don't take a suitcase on the escalator", "drink plenty of water", and "if you see something, contact the police")
answered Jul 19 at 8:49
gerritgerrit
31.2k13 gold badges107 silver badges239 bronze badges
That's just escalators though. Passageways vary - some are keep left, some are keep right.
– AakashM
Jul 19 at 8:59
Interestingly, in Japan (driving on the left), it's customary to stand on escalators on the left and pass on the right. This caught me out more than once.
– Aleks G
Jul 19 at 10:49
2
Except where signposted (which is usually in busy pedestrian passageways, stairs and escalators in railway stations), there is no convention whatsoever of pedestrians keeping to one side or the other in the UK. The closest to a convention is that one is advised not to walk at the kerbside or in the road with one's back to the traffic; that amounts to "keep left" if the pavement is only wide enough for two pedestrians, but that's usually not the case.
– David Richerby
Jul 19 at 10:56
6
@DavidRicherby Walk facing traffic is a common rule, but not on escalators :-)
– gerrit
Jul 19 at 11:15
@AleksG It depends where in Japan. In Kansai (Osaka, etc.) it's stand on the left.
– John
Jul 19 at 11:24
|
show 9 more comments
Yes, except on escalators (at least in England).
In England, on escalators on train stations and underground stations, "traffic" is actually continental. I was surprised to see signs that instruct people to stand to the right, pass to the left, exactly as one would do in France or Germany, and exactly opposite to wheeled traffic, which of course would pass to the right exclusively. I don't know if this convention applies when not signposted; there tend to be many signs in English train stations (including for such wisdoms as "don't take a suitcase on the escalator", "drink plenty of water", and "if you see something, contact the police")
answered Jul 19 at 8:49
gerritgerrit
31.2k13 gold badges107 silver badges239 bronze badges
That's just escalators though. Passageways vary - some are keep left, some are keep right.
– AakashM
Jul 19 at 8:59
Interestingly, in Japan (driving on the left), it's customary to stand on escalators on the left and pass on the right. This caught me out more than once.
– Aleks G
Jul 19 at 10:49
2
Except where signposted (which is usually in busy pedestrian passageways, stairs and escalators in railway stations), there is no convention whatsoever of pedestrians keeping to one side or the other in the UK. The closest to a convention is that one is advised not to walk at the kerbside or in the road with one's back to the traffic; that amounts to "keep left" if the pavement is only wide enough for two pedestrians, but that's usually not the case.
– David Richerby
Jul 19 at 10:56
6
@DavidRicherby Walk facing traffic is a common rule, but not on escalators :-)
– gerrit
Jul 19 at 11:15
@AleksG It depends where in Japan. In Kansai (Osaka, etc.) it's stand on the left.
– John
Jul 19 at 11:24
|
show 9 more comments
Yes, except on escalators (at least in England).
In England, on escalators on train stations and underground stations, "traffic" is actually continental. I was surprised to see signs that instruct people to stand to the right, pass to the left, exactly as one would do in France or Germany, and exactly opposite to wheeled traffic, which of course would pass to the right exclusively. I don't know if this convention applies when not signposted; there tend to be many signs in English train stations (including for such wisdoms as "don't take a suitcase on the escalator", "drink plenty of water", and "if you see something, contact the police")
answered Jul 19 at 8:49
gerritgerrit
31.2k13 gold badges107 silver badges239 bronze badges
Yes, except on escalators (at least in England).
In England, on escalators on train stations and underground stations, "traffic" is actually continental. I was surprised to see signs that instruct people to stand to the right, pass to the left, exactly as one would do in France or Germany, and exactly opposite to wheeled traffic, which of course would pass to the right exclusively. I don't know if this convention applies when not signposted; there tend to be many signs in English train stations (including for such wisdoms as "don't take a suitcase on the escalator", "drink plenty of water", and "if you see something, contact the police")
answered Jul 19 at 8:49
gerritgerrit
31.2k13 gold badges107 silver badges239 bronze badges
edited Jul 19 at 11:12
answered Jul 19 at 8:49
gerritgerrit
31.2k13 gold badges107 silver badges239 bronze badges
answered Jul 19 at 8:49
gerritgerrit
31.2k13 gold badges107 silver badges239 bronze badges
answered Jul 19 at 8:49
gerritgerrit
31.2k13 gold badges107 silver badges239 bronze badges
31.2k13 gold badges107 silver badges239 bronze badges
That's just escalators though. Passageways vary - some are keep left, some are keep right.
– AakashM
Jul 19 at 8:59
Interestingly, in Japan (driving on the left), it's customary to stand on escalators on the left and pass on the right. This caught me out more than once.
– Aleks G
Jul 19 at 10:49
2
Except where signposted (which is usually in busy pedestrian passageways, stairs and escalators in railway stations), there is no convention whatsoever of pedestrians keeping to one side or the other in the UK. The closest to a convention is that one is advised not to walk at the kerbside or in the road with one's back to the traffic; that amounts to "keep left" if the pavement is only wide enough for two pedestrians, but that's usually not the case.
– David Richerby
Jul 19 at 10:56
6
@DavidRicherby Walk facing traffic is a common rule, but not on escalators :-)
– gerrit
Jul 19 at 11:15
@AleksG It depends where in Japan. In Kansai (Osaka, etc.) it's stand on the left.
– John
Jul 19 at 11:24
|
show 9 more comments
That's just escalators though. Passageways vary - some are keep left, some are keep right.
– AakashM
Jul 19 at 8:59
Interestingly, in Japan (driving on the left), it's customary to stand on escalators on the left and pass on the right. This caught me out more than once.
– Aleks G
Jul 19 at 10:49
2
Except where signposted (which is usually in busy pedestrian passageways, stairs and escalators in railway stations), there is no convention whatsoever of pedestrians keeping to one side or the other in the UK. The closest to a convention is that one is advised not to walk at the kerbside or in the road with one's back to the traffic; that amounts to "keep left" if the pavement is only wide enough for two pedestrians, but that's usually not the case.
– David Richerby
Jul 19 at 10:56
6
@DavidRicherby Walk facing traffic is a common rule, but not on escalators :-)
– gerrit
Jul 19 at 11:15
@AleksG It depends where in Japan. In Kansai (Osaka, etc.) it's stand on the left.
– John
Jul 19 at 11:24
That's just escalators though. Passageways vary - some are keep left, some are keep right.
– AakashM
Jul 19 at 8:59
That's just escalators though. Passageways vary - some are keep left, some are keep right.
– AakashM
Jul 19 at 8:59
Interestingly, in Japan (driving on the left), it's customary to stand on escalators on the left and pass on the right. This caught me out more than once.
– Aleks G
Jul 19 at 10:49
Interestingly, in Japan (driving on the left), it's customary to stand on escalators on the left and pass on the right. This caught me out more than once.
– Aleks G
Jul 19 at 10:49
2
2
Except where signposted (which is usually in busy pedestrian passageways, stairs and escalators in railway stations), there is no convention whatsoever of pedestrians keeping to one side or the other in the UK. The closest to a convention is that one is advised not to walk at the kerbside or in the road with one's back to the traffic; that amounts to "keep left" if the pavement is only wide enough for two pedestrians, but that's usually not the case.
– David Richerby
Jul 19 at 10:56
Except where signposted (which is usually in busy pedestrian passageways, stairs and escalators in railway stations), there is no convention whatsoever of pedestrians keeping to one side or the other in the UK. The closest to a convention is that one is advised not to walk at the kerbside or in the road with one's back to the traffic; that amounts to "keep left" if the pavement is only wide enough for two pedestrians, but that's usually not the case.
– David Richerby
Jul 19 at 10:56
6
6
@DavidRicherby Walk facing traffic is a common rule, but not on escalators :-)
– gerrit
Jul 19 at 11:15
@DavidRicherby Walk facing traffic is a common rule, but not on escalators :-)
– gerrit
Jul 19 at 11:15
@AleksG It depends where in Japan. In Kansai (Osaka, etc.) it's stand on the left.
– John
Jul 19 at 11:24
@AleksG It depends where in Japan. In Kansai (Osaka, etc.) it's stand on the left.
– John
Jul 19 at 11:24
|
show 9 more comments
There are actually three options, not two. There are countries where pedestrians pass each other on the right, which generally also drive on the right. There are countries where pedestrians pass each other on the left, which generally also drive on the left. But there are also countries like the UK, where there is no general rule (for pedestrians; there obviously is for driving), and pedestrians approaching each other work out which way to go on a case-by-case basis using tiny cues (and sometimes get it wrong, and both of them keep swapping from side to side).
When someone from a country that always passes on the same side visits somewhere with no such standard, they tend to bump into people.
answered Jul 21 at 6:26
Mike ScottMike Scott
4553 silver badges6 bronze badges
These days you can add a 4th one too: people with a mobile phone in their hands who expect everyone else to work around them no matter what...
– Flexo
Jul 21 at 21:09
add a comment
|
There are actually three options, not two. There are countries where pedestrians pass each other on the right, which generally also drive on the right. There are countries where pedestrians pass each other on the left, which generally also drive on the left. But there are also countries like the UK, where there is no general rule (for pedestrians; there obviously is for driving), and pedestrians approaching each other work out which way to go on a case-by-case basis using tiny cues (and sometimes get it wrong, and both of them keep swapping from side to side).
When someone from a country that always passes on the same side visits somewhere with no such standard, they tend to bump into people.
answered Jul 21 at 6:26
Mike ScottMike Scott
4553 silver badges6 bronze badges
These days you can add a 4th one too: people with a mobile phone in their hands who expect everyone else to work around them no matter what...
– Flexo
Jul 21 at 21:09
add a comment
|
There are actually three options, not two. There are countries where pedestrians pass each other on the right, which generally also drive on the right. There are countries where pedestrians pass each other on the left, which generally also drive on the left. But there are also countries like the UK, where there is no general rule (for pedestrians; there obviously is for driving), and pedestrians approaching each other work out which way to go on a case-by-case basis using tiny cues (and sometimes get it wrong, and both of them keep swapping from side to side).
When someone from a country that always passes on the same side visits somewhere with no such standard, they tend to bump into people.
answered Jul 21 at 6:26
Mike ScottMike Scott
4553 silver badges6 bronze badges
There are actually three options, not two. There are countries where pedestrians pass each other on the right, which generally also drive on the right. There are countries where pedestrians pass each other on the left, which generally also drive on the left. But there are also countries like the UK, where there is no general rule (for pedestrians; there obviously is for driving), and pedestrians approaching each other work out which way to go on a case-by-case basis using tiny cues (and sometimes get it wrong, and both of them keep swapping from side to side).
When someone from a country that always passes on the same side visits somewhere with no such standard, they tend to bump into people.
answered Jul 21 at 6:26
Mike ScottMike Scott
4553 silver badges6 bronze badges
answered Jul 21 at 6:26
Mike ScottMike Scott
4553 silver badges6 bronze badges
answered Jul 21 at 6:26
Mike ScottMike Scott
4553 silver badges6 bronze badges
answered Jul 21 at 6:26
Mike ScottMike Scott
4553 silver badges6 bronze badges
4553 silver badges6 bronze badges
These days you can add a 4th one too: people with a mobile phone in their hands who expect everyone else to work around them no matter what...
– Flexo
Jul 21 at 21:09
add a comment
|
These days you can add a 4th one too: people with a mobile phone in their hands who expect everyone else to work around them no matter what...
– Flexo
Jul 21 at 21:09
These days you can add a 4th one too: people with a mobile phone in their hands who expect everyone else to work around them no matter what...
– Flexo
Jul 21 at 21:09
These days you can add a 4th one too: people with a mobile phone in their hands who expect everyone else to work around them no matter what...
– Flexo
Jul 21 at 21:09
add a comment
|
I can tell you that, as a transplant to Melbourne, I wish people kept to the left. In practise, in this particular city, they seem to wander wherever they please, oblivious to everyone else on the footpath.
answered Jul 22 at 3:59
LenLen
1212 bronze badges
add a comment
|
I can tell you that, as a transplant to Melbourne, I wish people kept to the left. In practise, in this particular city, they seem to wander wherever they please, oblivious to everyone else on the footpath.
answered Jul 22 at 3:59
LenLen
1212 bronze badges
add a comment
|
I can tell you that, as a transplant to Melbourne, I wish people kept to the left. In practise, in this particular city, they seem to wander wherever they please, oblivious to everyone else on the footpath.
answered Jul 22 at 3:59
LenLen
1212 bronze badges
I can tell you that, as a transplant to Melbourne, I wish people kept to the left. In practise, in this particular city, they seem to wander wherever they please, oblivious to everyone else on the footpath.
answered Jul 22 at 3:59
LenLen
1212 bronze badges
answered Jul 22 at 3:59
LenLen
1212 bronze badges
answered Jul 22 at 3:59
LenLen
1212 bronze badges
answered Jul 22 at 3:59
LenLen
1212 bronze badges
1212 bronze badges
add a comment
|
add a comment
|
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I'm tempted to say there's a duplicate around somewhere, where a UK user asked whether they were right in their observation that in the US you have to walk on the right, as their UK experience was that there was no standard.
– AndyT
Jul 19 at 11:35
3
In the Netherlands we also tend to go to the right. Btw, if in doubt, I sometimes hold my hand slightly more to the right (into the direction where I want to walk); by occupying like 6 inches more into the ' empty space' on the right, the person in front of me automatically veer to the left.
– Michel Keijzers
Jul 19 at 12:07
3
Interesting note: while Russia is right-lane oriented, in subway pedestrians are asked to go on left side of wide bidirectional passages. However, on escalators everybody stay on the right, so there's no complete answer I think :-).
– val
Jul 19 at 12:54
2
@val Different stations in the Tokyo metro have signs telling you to keep left/right, on what appeared to me to be a completely random per station basis, but presumably had something to do with the traffic patterns. I think one notable station had both types of signs in different areas.
– mbrig
Jul 19 at 19:44
2
There can also be other rules at play. I was taught that I gentleman should always take the side closer to the road when sharing the walkway with a lady. Also, if you're approaching someone that might be slightly risky in a semi-bad part of town, you might prefer the side closer to the road so you can't be cornered against the wall if things turn bad.
– JoL
Jul 20 at 17:13