[QUOTE=Debfrommaine;1818319]Always walk on the left side facing traffic.

That's how I have always interpreted the "rule". Ride with, walk against! Riding a bike or anything other than walking, you travel on the right side with traffic. If you are walking, you belong on the left side, which should be against (facing) traffic.

I don’t know if it’s true everywhere, but up north there were forest preserve paths that were used by walkers, joggers, bikers and roller bladers, and it was common courtesy if you were about to pass someone you’d let them know by saying “on your left” as you approached.
We all traveled on the right, in the same direction!

Yeah where we lived, if it wasn't open to motor vehicles, then everyone is on the right. And anyone who wanted to pass the person/people ahead of them just said "passing" or "on your left" or "coming up behind you" or some other indication that they're about to pass.

In other words, the responsibility is with the person doing the passing, not the person moving at a slower pace.

We treated it like a sidewalk. Lots of little kids just learning to ride their 2-wheeled bikes ride their bikes on the sidewalk. And they're taught to ride on the right side of the sidewalk, and ring their little bell to pass people.

This is stuff we learned when we were little kids growing up in the suburbs. We continued this behavior in summer camp, when we were hiking on trails, if we were walking pretty much anywhere where there wasn't motor vehicle traffic.

Basically - if it's shut off to vehicles with motors of any kind, then it's "pedestrian traffic" and you travel on the right side of the path. Even if you're jogging, and wanting to pass the walker ahead of you, you call out so the walker isn't startled.

It looks from this thread that my experience was hardly unique.

If it’s walking trail no bikes should be on it.

ditto

Whoever told you that is....well, let's just say don't believe everything you hear. Walk facing oncoming traffic. It could save your life. :duck:

In the Midwest, where I am from, people walk on the right side of the lane. Apparently, in the East, people walk on the left side with traffic coming toward them. Actually, I think walking on the left side is much better, because you can see traffic coming toward you, which I like.

Bikes are considered to be traffic
 

Bikes are considered to be traffic, that is why they are allowed to ride on a road, and as traffic, they are always on the right side of the road. I grew up in the Midwest also, and we did not have sidewalks, we had country roads to get around, and you always face traffic. You do not leave it up to the bikers for your safety. Besides, there are a lot of walkers with earbuds in their ears, and can’t hear a biker telling them they are on their left. When you face the biker, which I am one also, they can see you, and you can see them. I have met two people that were hit by bikes from behind.

Instead of smiling and saying BS, why not be honest and say "I feel safer seeing traffic coming at me". The truth might actually help the other person reassess their position.

Walking
 

On rail trails where there are bikes and people you walk on the right

This is exactly what I thought. Walk on the right. I walk on the walking trail along side of Marsh Bend Trail and there are no cars or carts allowed on it. There is bicycle traffic and occasionally a skater. I have never encountered a walker on the left side of the trail. Everyone is always on the right side. So, I just assumed we walkers were supposed to be on the right. If that is incorrect, I would love to know. On the other hand I don't want to be the only one on the left. LOL!

Always walk on the right side. Do you drive down Buena Vista or Morse on the left side because you want to see coming? Do you drive down SR 44, 75 or the Turnpike on the left side? Again to see what is coming. You will surely meet your maker sooner by doing so.

If you had read your newcomers information pack it is a combo walking, skating and bike path when it has double post at cross road. Multi paths have one pole and are for walkers, bikes, skaters, golf carts. People riding bikes in the street really run the risk of getting hit by vehicles especially services pulling trailers as they cut the corners into the golf cart street paths and drive to fast. You’re right till your dead right

Spot on
 

Spot on. :bigbow:

I bike the trails west of the turnpike frequently and all I can say is you who are walking on the right side of the trail with your back to traffic (yes, bicycles are traffic) are an accident waiting to happen. Between the noise coming from the turnpike and our reduced heading abilities, even if I yell "on your left" as I'm coming upon you, my experience says more often than not, you'd don't hear me. And with you walking with your spouse and your dog, taking up most of the pathway and unaware that I'm coming behind you, there is going to be a collision at some point. Why be oblivious to what's going on when all you have to do is walk on the correct side of the path, facing oncoming traffic.