Walkers in the runners-only lanes. It's so common.

spartan_d

Last night, some gym mates and I were talking about people who walk in the runners-only lanes on indoor tracks. We all agreed that this was really annoying and that it can badly interfere with someone's workout.

I mention this because I know some people say, "What's the big deal? You can always go around the walkers anyway." IMO though, walkers are really selfish when they take that attitude. They already have their own lanes. Why should they take up the runners lanes and then declare, "These people will just have to go around me."

Also -- and I know that some will disagree with me on this -- it's a matter of respecting the gym rules. For everyone's benefit, the gym management has graciously allocated certain lanes for runners and certain ones for walkers. Why in the world would you deliberately ignore these rules? The occasional rare exception might be justified (when the lanes are ridiculously crowded, for example), but by and large, there's no benefit to deliberately ignoring the posted lane signs.

I'd go so far as to say that one should stick to the walking lanes even when the running lanes are empty -- again, as a matter of respecting the rules. Again, the occasional exception might be okay, but if you're going to take over a runners-only lane, you need a better reason that just "It's empty and I wanted it."

Yes, this is a peeve of mine. I see people ignoring the track rules all the time, and it bugs me. I've seen collisions happen because of people walking where they shouldn't. On occasion, I've had to come to a complete stop because of walkers stepping into the running lanes without looking -- or worse, because people were just standing around on the track. Please respect the track rules, folks.

BrianSharpe

They're the same people that don't rack their weights or wipe down equipment.

Not that I'd expect to see this at a gym but there's an indoor track here in Ottawa that's used by a competitive T&F club for winter training. Walk in their lanes and they'll yell "track" shortly before pushing you over.... people learn very quickly.

spartan_d

A lot of people don't understand the need to respect rules. They probably say, "Nobody's using the running lane right now, so why shouldn't I take it? I'm not harming anyone."

To which I say, "Doesn't matter. You have your own assigned lanes, so follow the rules. Don't ignore them just because you want to." Not to mention that this leaves the runners-only lanes free for people who do want to run once they arrive.

I've even heard well-intentioned runners say, "So it takes an extra second or so to go around them. What's the big deal?" There's some merit to that, but it's still the principle of the thing. Not to mention that when ignoring the rules becomes the norm, it leads to even bigger problems -- larger groups of people clogging up the runner lanes, for example.

michael1976_ca

I agree with you op that's like kids playing in the swimming lane. You should carry a horn. No one likes getting honked at

tulips_and_tea

Have you spoken to the gym staff about this? It's their responsibility to enforce the rules. If they don't and it's still causing a problem I'd be more forceful about it. Maybe they can put up larger signs or notify the regular "offenders" in a discreet way.

spartan_d

BZAH10 wrote: »

Have you spoken to the gym staff about this? It's their responsibility to enforce the rules. If they don't and it's still causing a problem I'd be more forceful about it. Maybe they can put up larger signs or notify the regular "offenders" in a discreet way.

I have, and at more than one gym. By and large, they don't care. In fact, they often keep silent even when they see this happening.

It's not hard to guess why. They usually aren't eager to enforce the rules. The rules only matter when an accident happens or when they have already decided to kick someone out.

As for being more forceful about it... I do that on occasion with mixed results.

Recently, I did tell one woman that she was in a runners lane. I told her twice, without anger, since she didn't seem to hear me the first time. She snapped my photo and tried to report me to the management. (Thankfully, the manager was sensible. A bit weak-willed and overly accommodating to her, but at least he understood that I was just being reasonable.)

On a related note... this same manager said that we shouldn't confront the offenders directly. To avoid conflict, we are supposed to stop our workouts, get off the track, look for a staff member, and ask that staff member to intervene. He says this is because "everyone has their own perspective" and asking another gym member to obey track rules could be perceived as harassment. Sigh.

rheddmobile

I don’t think walkers realize how much easier it is for a walker to turn abruptly than a runner. Particularly if you are doing speedwork or focusing on your form the last thing you need to extra stuff to think about. That’s why there are lanes in the first place!

spartan_d

YES, @rheddmobile ! It seems like a little thing, but when you're training or just working hard, these little things matter. Casual exercises usually don't understand that.

deannalfisher

i'd run into them personally - oh sorry was doing sprints and didn't see you (that whole tunnel vision thing)

the same goes for swimming pools and lap swim - the one pool i swim at has lanes identified as S/M/F - i showed up to do a swim test one weekend and there was like 1 guy in the fast lane - i figured since i was doing a test, it would work...i lapped him 3 times in the space of 8 minutes...fast was nowhere in the definition of the speed he was going - and i nearly hit him several times because he was almost swimming middle of lane (pool prescribes circle swim)

spartan_d

deannalfisher wrote: »

i'd run into them personally - oh sorry was doing sprints and didn't see you (that whole tunnel vision thing)

the same goes for swimming pools and lap swim - the one pool i swim at has lanes identified as S/M/F - i showed up to do a swim test one weekend and there was like 1 guy in the fast lane - i figured since i was doing a test, it would work...i lapped him 3 times in the space of 8 minutes...fast was nowhere in the definition of the speed he was going - and i nearly hit him several times because he was almost swimming middle of lane (pool prescribes circle swim)

One woman at a nearby rec center keeps straddling two lanes -- one for walking, one for running.

This might sound unkind, but I wonder if she has some sort of mental issue. It's one thing to not notice the track signs or to deliberately ignore them. Consistently walking right in between two lanes, though? That's just... strange.

cougargirl1025

Uggghh... this sounds so frustratingly annoying. I would probably deliberately brush by them every time...not enough to knock them down but enough to be annoying to them. I suppose they would complain about that rather than get the hint though.

kdbulger

This is a constant at the track where I run. I don't mind so much for two reasons:
1. I am very slow as a runner anyway
2. I usually go on community days when the track access is free. People of all ages and walks of life come - some very fit and able, others with walkers, some with intellectual disabilities and companions. I love seeing everyone come get some activity in their days.

When I am feeling very serious about a workout or impatient, I go on different days when I have to pay for access and on those days, I do feel people should respect the walkers and runners lanes, though I understand some folks may not even have looked up to the hanging sign to see that such a differentiation exists.

mbaker566

we had a bunch of walkers and like 4 school teams working on the track last night. so many walkers walking 2 abreast. so many people doing speedwork walking against the flow to get to their starting point. and not giving way.
i'm on board with pet peeve.
if they don't learn on the track then i bet these walkers are also the ones that cause traffic jams at races too

spartan_d

Honestly, it annoys me even when I'm NOT using the track. Even if I'm just on the sidelines lifting. And even if they're not currently in anyone's way.

That's because it broadcasts an attitude of "There are some perfectly good lanes that I could use, but I don't care. To hell with the rules. I'm going to use this one instead, just because I can."

tulips_and_tea

Well, that's frustrating that the staff doesn't seem to care.

I am a walker but I'm very conscious about being considerate of others, particularly anyone going faster than me. I run into this issue on our Riverwalk trails. People, sometimes whole families, walking 4 -5 people wide and totally clueless to anyone coming up (quickly) behind them. Or they let their kids dart all over the path.

I try to just appreciate the fact that people are out and being active and not let it ruin MY walk and MY time but it's not always easy.

hesn92

Go_Deskercise wrote: »

Reminds me of the debate I had with my sister about the left and right hand lanes when driving. She drives in the left "fast" lane and people have to pass her on the right side. She says if she's not going fast enough then people can just go around her *facepalm*

Certain people are always going to just do what they want regardless of others unfortunately

I hate it when people do that. I find it to be so rude. People think because they're behind the wheel they can throw all sense of common courtesy out the window. I had a coworker at my last job who did that as well, and she would claim "I'm going over the speed limit so I'm supposed to be in this lane." No dear, it's the passing lane. If someone wants to go faster than you, GTFO of the way.

hesn92

michael1976_ca wrote: »

I agree with you op that's like kids playing in the swimming lane. You should carry a horn. No one likes getting honked at

I like this idea

MelanieCN77

A little bit of order solves so many problems before they start when a lot of people have to share spaces. Even just keeping to the right on trails marked so means people can do their thing while minding their own business. The amount of time I've played chicken with someone coming directly at me is silly.

I'd be the *kitten* in the runners lanes loudly excuse-me-ing and jogging on the spot behind walkers.

Go_Deskercise

@MelanieCN77 - oh I know but there's no changing my sisters mind....

NorthCascades

There are bike trails with walking trails immediately next to them and people still walk in the bike lane too.

apullum

I run on abandoned roads on a former military base. (It's now public land...I'm not sneaking into anywhere I'm not allowed to be!) I am constantly surprised by how two walkers can take up an entire, literal road. People used to drive TANKS on these roads and yet some walkers cannot manage enough room for a runner to pass them. Share the trail...it's not that hard.

lemurcat2

I normally run on the sidewalk or a mixed use outdoor track, so no experience with indoor tracks, and plenty of experience with running around people, but that definitely sounds extremely irritating. I don't understand why someone walking would even want to walk in a running lane if lanes are provided for walkers. Unless I'm missing something it really seems like there's no reason but to be rude and entitled, which would drive me crazy.

Related, I used to ride my bike a lot on a very popular mixed use path (I mostly don't now during prime time, which is the weekend in late spring through fall other than early or bad weather, and about 5 to dark on weekday evenings, time time of year). Runners would usually be careful about bikers and stay to the side where it was easy to pass, but I was always surprised by how many walkers (not so much exercise walkers but people out strolling, often tourists) seemed to think it was totally cool to take up the whole path and pay 0 attention to who else they were sharing it with.

Steff46

I'm constantly amused at the people that don't know to walk/run/meander to the right side of the trail. It's like they want to play a game of chicken.

spartan_d

MelanieCN77 wrote: »

A little bit of order solves so many problems before they start when a lot of people have to share spaces.

EXACTLY. A lot of people don't understand this. So what if there aren't any runners around at that specific moment? The rules exist to prevent those problems from ever developing.

People also underestimate how contagious disorder is. If you ignore the posted track signs, this encourages others to do the same. They'll say, "Oh, nobody really cares about these rules after all" and then choose to violate them as well. This sort of attitude snowballs to the point where the rules become nigh meaningless.

I mentioned that I gently confronted one woman recently, pointing out that she was in the wrong lane. She yelled back, "I KNOW! Tell that to the hundred other people who're doing the same thing!" This was obviously an exaggeration, but it also shows how disregard for the rules prompts other people to feel justified in ignoring them too, just because they can.

kpkitten

spartan_d wrote: »

deannalfisher wrote: »

i'd run into them personally - oh sorry was doing sprints and didn't see you (that whole tunnel vision thing)

the same goes for swimming pools and lap swim - the one pool i swim at has lanes identified as S/M/F - i showed up to do a swim test one weekend and there was like 1 guy in the fast lane - i figured since i was doing a test, it would work...i lapped him 3 times in the space of 8 minutes...fast was nowhere in the definition of the speed he was going - and i nearly hit him several times because he was almost swimming middle of lane (pool prescribes circle swim)

One woman at a nearby rec center keeps straddling two lanes -- one for walking, one for running.

This might sound unkind, but I wonder if she has some sort of mental issue. It's one thing to not notice the track signs or to deliberately ignore them. Consistently walking right in between two lanes, though? That's just... strange.

She may be visually impaired and walking on the line so she can see it, the same way some drivers (who definitely shouldn't be driving) hug the line when they drive.

CSARdiver

There's a small number who don't know the rules or why they are there.

There's a smaller number who simply want to create as many problems as they feel the world gives them - payback.

These lanes are established as "passing lanes" so that everyone knows that slower traffic stays to the right - faster traffic to the left - and the far left is for passing only.

Most people bow to public pressure, but there's that annoying self righteous few who need to be reminded by someone in authority to follow the rules or leave.

lorrpb

People are in their own little world and oblivious to the presence others, the need to resoect others, or the need to create order. Staff don’t want to be proactive in enforcing because it is personally uncomfortable for them and they don’t want to risk offending that member.

I am almost positive these are among the same people who use their cell phones in the locker room. When you point out the NO CELL PHONE USAGE sign 6 ft away they say they didn’t think it applied to ____. (Whatever specific activity they were going at the moment.) When I complain to the desk, I’m encouraged to come out and report it so they can have a female staff member check on it. Well, that doesn’t help because usually I’m in some state in undress when it happens and even if I did do this, it’s several minutes til they can send a staff person in. The membership director recently shared that they’re being more proactive to go over this rule with new members. They now have an electronic member feedback kiosk so every time this happens I’m reporting it. I haven’t used the track much lately, but would definitely do the same thing for lane violations. It’s rude and dangerous because someone can step in front of you at any moment.

Most people don’t know or care how to live in harmony with others.

albryce744

In my community, the narrow sidewalks are like a perpetual game of chicken. Who will yield? The 8 year old on a bike? The dog walker? The couple walking? The parent with the stroller? So you drop into the street to run and people complain about that.

My teens assure me that this level of frustration with side walk right away moves me solidly into 'cranky old person' territory. I'd think it was funny if it wasn't so annoying.

nicsflyingcircus

On a related note:

For the love of Pete, please walk on the right hand side of corridors and do not cut the corner diagonally.

I literally got ran over at work the other day coming around a corner by someone from another department who apparently does not understand walking etiquette. I was on my right side, making a right handed turn, he was making a left handed turn and apparently was in too much of a dang hurry to stay on his own side of the hallway. Crunched right into me, knocking me into the wall, lucky I didn't end up in the floor. Looked at me like wtf was I doing there, didn't apologize or ask if I was okay, just grimaced and walked off like he was pissed off.

This was an extreme example, but I work in a hospital. We have wide hallways (rules about clearance), so in general, room for all to pass. I understand people are busy and often preoccupied; I am too. But just observe right of way and everyone would be safer.

This is also one of my pet peeves in busy public places, like airports for example. Stay to your right unless you need to go to something on the left. There is always that one person (or group), completely oblivious while walking against the flow of foot traffic.

MikePTY

You should go work out at a Planet Fitness. I hear they are good about enforcing their rules there.

MPDean

Here in blighty we walk on the left, sword arm nearest to middle in case a duel breaks out.