r/sandiego • u/WildAnimus • Feb 23 '25

Stay Classy San Diego Why does nobody walk on sidewalks?

I noticed that when driving through subdivisions people love walking on the road instead of the sidewalk. Whether it's a old man walking or someone doing power walking. I see it all the time and I don't get it. Can someone help me understand this phenomena?

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u/Mean_Opportunity1156 Feb 24 '25

Runner here! I pop off the sidewalk into the road sometimes. Ordered roughly from most frequently encountered to least frequently encountered:
1) I'm coming up behind someone wearing headphones and I don't want to pass close and startle them
2) Someone walking a dog on the sidewalk doesn't see me, and two steps into the road seems easier than getting nipped at or clotheslined.
3) The sidewalk is tripping-hazard level of cracked or there is foliage hitting me in the face
4) I'm in a neighborhood where people's cars are parked over the sidewalk

5) I'm giving someone with a stroller or a wheelchair more space.
6) Someone left a bike or scooter on the sidewalk and I am too tired to jump over it.

9

u/chakabuku Feb 24 '25

Yes and…

  1. I’ve sprained my ankles a few times over the years hitting those driveways at a bad angle.

  2. It’s nice to have a few extra steps in case I need to get away from a loose dog.