[jimdecastro]

Originally Posted by Bill14564

In the end, some people in the Villages are stubborn and are going to do what they want because that's the way they've always done it. We can discuss and debate what is best but we will never get everyone to agree on what is best or to follow it.

That said...

Because of the way we drive and typically walk in the US, the natural tendency is to walk to the right. You see this on sidewalks, in shopping malls, in airports, in boating rules, and at theme parks. When two pedestrians approach each other in the US it is typical for each to bear to their right. Without giving it any thought at all, Americans will typically stick to the right.

For vehicles of any type, driving to the right in the US is the law.

In the US we are taught to walk on the left, facing traffic, on a roadway. In many places this is the law as well. This enables the pedestrian to more easily see the traffic that is closest to them. Cars on the same side as the pedestrian come towards him from the front where he can see them. Cars approaching the pedestrian from the rear are on the far side of the street. This also makes it safer for the driver. If the driver sees the pedestrian looking at him then the driver has some confidence the pedestrian is aware of the car and less likely to suddenly move in front of the car.

Walking paths (sidewalks) are usually indistinguishable from designated walking/biking paths, particularly because bicycles are allowed on sidewalks.

Being predictable helps keep us safer. I can't know what you are thinking but if you act predictably (stay to the right/left, walk in a straight line, etc) then I can maneuver to avoid you.

Putting all the above together:
- Americans will likely walk to the right on any path (sidewalk) that doesn't carry automobile (or golf cart) traffic
- On a sidewalk or a walking/biking path, bicyclists will assume that walkers will stay to the right.
- When walking along a roadway (or a path that carries automobile or golf cart traffic) Americans will likely walk to the left
- On a roadway (or MMP here in the Villages) drivers expect walkers to be facing traffic
- Deviating from the above, typically by the pedestrian, creates an unpredictable situation which is unsafe for all.

There have been numerous threads on this topic which all have come to the same conclusion: People are going to do what they want to do regardless of what is safe. Then when there is an accident, those same people are going to stomp their feet and insist they were being the safest and the problem is with everyone else.

An excellent post- as usual. I am always walk on the left regardless of the path. If somebody appears not to be moving to their left around me, I simply stop and let them walk around me and then I continue. It may seem passive aggressive, but I've been clipped by more than a few bicycles in my year and a half here.