The OP started this thread by stating she was almost clipped while walking along the right side.

My wife WAS hit by a cyclist while walking along the right side.

She doesn't do that anymore...

No, I'm the one diving headfirst into the bramble on the side of the path to avoid the high speed collisions with the oncoming walker.

If you choose to walk with any type of traffic with wheels coming behind you, congratulations. You have automatic entry for the Darwin awards given every year. I was taken out from behind one time. After my time in the emergency room and receiving stiches I learned my lesson. E-bikes and E-scooters are now on the paths.

I can't understand why any one would take the chance of not seeing what's coming at you. But I see it every day.

This dead horse has been pulverized. Stop the madness. The easiest rule to remember is SEE AND BE SEEN.

A few stitches seems like a small price to pay for righteousness of knowing you were obeying the rules.
(that was sarcasm, BTW)

That’s why walkers should be walking into traffic and bikes should be on the same side as golf carts.

Were you on a walking trail or multi modal path? I'm not aware of walking trails that allow bikes and if it was a multi modal path, you should be walking facing traffic.

If you are on anything -other- than a walking trail, where there is vehicular traffic, and it is a two-way path, then you're correct. You walk against traffic.

When the traffic is, by definition, pedestrian traffic because motor vehicles are not permitted on it, then no, you are incorrect.

In addition, if you live on a one-way street and need to take a RIGHT out of your driveway for whatever reason, then you can walk on either side, it doesn't matter, because no matter which side you walk on, you will be walking WITH the flow of traffic and not against it.

Wouldn't it be safer for a pedestrian to see bicycles and e-bikes coming at them, rather than not see them?

but it's much safer for them instead of being on the road in traffic

It'd be safer for pedestrians to ride bicycles instead of walking. It'd be safer for bicycle riders to be in golf carts instead of on bikes. It'd be safer if bikes weren't allowed on pedestrian trails. It'd be safer if golf carts weren't allowed on mmps.

It'd be safer for all pedestrians to not walk where anyone coming toward them would have the sun in their eyes, such as at dusk. It'd be safer for pedestrians to wear a day-glo reflective safety vest and blinker arm-bands, and helmets, and knee pads.

A lot of things would be safer, if people did things other than what they currently do.

But on WALKING TRAILS, pedestrians ARE the traffic, and can't walk against themselves.

wait a minute. This whole thread started about trails with pedestrians and bikes. When did you make it about trails with just walkers?
We are having a conversation about walkers and bicycles, on the same path. That's the universe we are discussing.
So, I'll repeat my question to you. Given that there will be walkers, cyclists, and e-bikes on the same pathway, would you consider it safer for the walkers to be facing the traffic of bikes and e-bikes, or would it be safer having them coming up behind them, unseen and unheard?
Pretty simple question if you stick to the topic we are discussing.

And on the WALKING trails (of which there are very few), there are ONLY pedestrians. So your point is moot...

Because when you're boxed into a corner, you change the parameters of the argument...

Just a reminder that the title of this topic is:

"Bikes on the walking trail?"

And the above post, which is the post of the person who created this thread, refers to walking trails. Regardless, if it isn't an MMP or other path upon which motor vehicles may travel, then the pedestrian is the primary source of "traffic" and therefore would walk on the "with traffic" side of the road. Just like a person walking on a sidewalk. Yes, you'll see bicycles on sidewalks. But pedestrians on sidewalks are generally walking on the -right- side of the sidewalk. And bicycle riders are responsible for making sure that they - the bike riders - don't create a dangerous situation for the pedestrian.