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Sidewalk vs. street - where do you walk/run?

zyxst
zyxst Posts: 9,150 Member
edited December 2024 in Fitness and Exercise
When I lived in Iowa and went for walks, I stayed on the sidewalks. The only times I walked on the street were during snow when walks weren't cleaned and someone parked their vehicle on the walk. After living in Newfoundland for 12 years, I've found that the sidewalks in town are too sloped for me. They are on an angle being downhill and there is a downgrade every 10 feet for driveways. My upper foot and ankles burn horribly after 10 minutes of walking on them. In winter, I walk on the street because the sidewalks are never cleared unless Mother Nature sends us rain.

I kind of feel guilty for not using the sidewalks since what are they there for if not for pedestrians to walk on? I did over 2 miles today, splitting it between the sidewalks and streets. I was a ton more comfortable on the street and I had not burning pain in my feet/ankles.

Replies

  • devonette
    devonette Posts: 263 Member
    For me it depends on time of day, traffic and whether I'm walking alone or with someone. I prefer to walk in the street (on the correct side) when at all possible because in our neighborhood there are so many places where the sidewalk is broken or raised that I tend to trip a lot, especially if it's cloudy or dark out (I wear trifocals, and my eyesight doesn't always differentiate between the lines of the trifocals and the lines of the sidewalk). When I walk alone during daylight, I usually stay on the sidewalk, when I walk with 1 or more people we tend to walk in the street because the sidewalks are narrow, unless there is a lot of traffic, in which case it's back to the sidewalk.
  • athensguy
    athensguy Posts: 550
    Most of the streets I run on don't have sidewalks, but I run on the street even if there is sidewalk.
  • ZombieSlayer
    ZombieSlayer Posts: 369 Member
    Most of the streets I run on don't have sidewalks

    This.
  • mignon83
    mignon83 Posts: 19 Member
    My neighborhood I walk in the street not the sidewalk.
  • blittle2
    blittle2 Posts: 94 Member
    Sidewalks (concrete) is much harder on your limbs and more prone to cause injuries so it's better to run on the street if possible. At least that's what I was told by my running coaches
  • bioniclemonade
    bioniclemonade Posts: 45
    I run in the street because the sidewalks are too uneven and sometimes they don't go completely to the corner in my neighborhood. I definitely prefer to run in the street. Now when I'm on a stretch of busy road I switch to the sidewalk mostly because I don't want to get run over.
  • dlw13
    dlw13 Posts: 119 Member
    I'm in the 'burbs and stay on the sidewalk except to run past walkers. I believe that sidewalks are for pedestrians, the road is for vehicles.
  • directorj
    directorj Posts: 537 Member
    If its a busy area I run on the sidewalk but if it's less crowded, I go on the bike line. Obviously you would want to go against traffic only when you're running so you will see bikers and cars
  • LorinaLynn
    LorinaLynn Posts: 13,247 Member
    On the street where it's safe, sidewalks on busy streets it wouldn't be safe. But I prefer trail runs most of all. :heart:
  • AnnyaSB
    AnnyaSB Posts: 233 Member
    I am in very rural Wales (UK) and there aren't any pavements [sidewalks] so I have to run on the road [street].

    I make sure I wear a Hi-Vi vest though as there are some real speed freaks round here - the roads are very twisty and someone can be on you before you even know they are there! When I run with my dog, she wears one too!
  • MoooveOverFluffy
    MoooveOverFluffy Posts: 398 Member
    Sidewalks (concrete) is much harder on your limbs and more prone to cause injuries so it's better to run on the street if possible. At least that's what I was told by my running coaches


    ^^I've heard this too.
  • cyclerjenn
    cyclerjenn Posts: 833 Member
    High school track or trails are perferred. Sidewalks when on multi-use paths.
This discussion has been closed.

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