Quote:
Originally Posted by rustyp
Simple but excellent point. The problem should rarely be encountered on MMP's and sidewalks. No reason not to walk on the left on those. Giving this a little further thought the OP mentioned dog walkers. Most people are right handed and it likely be natural to hold the dog leash in the right hand. If you were doing this you might be inclined to walk on the right side such that the leash does not cross your body and be a trip hazard. In this case it is the dog walker that has put the cyclist in a bad situation.
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That brings up an interesting point about dog walking. Most people are RIGHT-handed so a dog training tradition evolved to where you walk the dog with your LEFT hand - so that when you stop to talk to your neighbor or someone you have not seen in a long time - your RIGHT hand is FREE to shake their hand. I know that is old school but that is the way I learned - it was considered the PROPER way to handle a dog. People that walk a dog with their RIGHT hand were considered illiterate in dog training. There are also more modern reasons for having your RIGHT hand free of a leash. An older person has a tendency to fall and an empty RIGHT hand would better control the fall. Also, an older person might have a cane. An older person (or younger) might have a concealed carry permit and need a free hand to defend against a robbery (a bigger problem in modern life than years ago).