Sidewalk Aversion?

One of the better features of the San Jose Mercury News is the Mr. Roadshow column, done by Gary Richards. Just now, I read a question there that really hit home with me from a Los Gatos reader who wondered aloud why people in Los Gatos who are walking, strolling, or jogging don't just use the sidewalks, rather than the street?

Like my apparent neighbor, I have experienced groups of people, pets, strollers and other "stuff" taking up half the road (that is, the half I'm trying to drive on) and then also giving me dirty looks as I slow down and swing out of harm's way. I also have wondered why they don't just use the sidewalk, or at least just move to the side, for their safety and my sake both?

But I think I know the answer.  In most of California, pedestrians rule. Seriously, they do. My sister-in-law used to attend Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles and she enjoyed demonstrating to out-of-state friends that in California, you can step out into the road in front of a moving car and the car will stop. Every time. (Do NOT try this, just take my word for it that she used to perform this stunt to amazed friends from states where this act would be suicidal.)

There is almost a moral self-righteousness that pedestrians have here. It's not just Los Gatos or Saratoga or San Jose: it is all of California.  At least it is all of urban California. It's as if being pedestrians gives them the right to be in the way, to be slow, to put their safety as primarily my responsibility. That is, of course, insane.

When I'm behind the wheel, I find this all very annoying.

And now I will make a confession. Sometimes, when I walk my dog over to Belgatos Park, we walk not on the sidewalk, but on the road. That said, we keep far to the side and I'm doing it in order to be a good neighbor. Bella, our pooch, often heels pretty decently for me. I just about have her trained to hold her business in 'til we get to the park. I don't want her "marking" someone's lawn, only to see a dead spot show up 3 days later there. By walking away from everyone's greenery, she doesn't suddenly stop walking and make a deposit. I get her to the park instead (and yes, I have baggies for cleanup).

So yes, I'm sometimes a little guilty, but with a big exception. When I hear or see a car, I move over to make lots of room.

re: Sidewalk Aversion?

I think it is important to be a courteous driver to pedestrians...and I try to be a courteous pedestrian to drivers.  I pick up the pace when someone has stopped to let me cross the street.  It drives me crazy when people don't...even more so when some seem to walk slower because I have stopped.

Good post!