Why do Runner’s Prefer the Hazardous Road?
The short answer… asphalt is 6x softer than concrete which is why runners tend to favor running on the road. However…
I don’t recommend that the casual jogger or walker take to the road in this way – it’s certainly safer and less irritating for all involved to just use the sidewalks as they were intended while exercising. But if you log a lot of miles and you take your jogging pretty seriously there’s a tipping point where jogging on the asphalt (running toward traffic for maximum safety of course) becomes the viable option to improve comfort and avoid any future mechanical injuries.
Because serious runners tend to favor running on the road toward traffic it tends to rub a lot of bicyclists and drivers the wrong way. I’ve been on both sides of the issue many times! Here’s the easiest way to approach this particular situation… take to the sidewalks and avoid any future conflict and stay safe! I mentioned that already? Oh, not for you? Prefer the asphalt… as I do? Well, upon approach, if a driver or bicyclist doesn’t show that they’re willing to yield for you at a respectable distance… then you should give up the right-of-way immediately and return to the sidewalk until after the on-coming traffic has safely passed by. The asphalt will still be there – waiting patiently for you – when you safely return.
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