I've been a walker, a runner, a cyclist, both solo and with a group, on the right side, on the wrong side . . . the tricky thing is when I'm catching up with friends on a walk, I've been that person not paying attention to traffic because I am focusing on the person I am talking to. I've also been the cyclist, thinking 'shoot, shoot, shoot' because I have to slow way down to prevent something bad from happening (on-coming traffic). I know the walker is the most vulnerable of all of us. They are the ones the traffic doesn't see, they are the ones the cyclists startle because, walkers hear a 'woosh' . . . very vulnerable feeling like someone has snuck up on us . . . sort of primal reaction in self-protection.

I know that, which helps my cycling. I say "biker on your left" I slow wayyyyy down though because sometimes they jump because I've startled them, sometimes their dog jumps, you never know. I see it as a courtesy. If they jump, I say 'sorry, didn't mean to startle you.' They always say, 'no, no . . . thank you.' I usually say, 'have a good day.'

Lots of good people out there, some not so polite, some just don't know any better because it's a new situation, but I also think people learn by seeing good examples.

Sandy