Which side do we walk on? In this era of Adelaide and other regions becoming increasingly busy with other trail users, it is worth considering when to stay left and when not to.

On most walking trails, shared use bikeways, trails and footpaths, the expectation is all trail users stick to the left (the local road rules), heeding to the most vulnerable trail users, with a caveat to give horses extra grace so as not to startle. However, this is not always the case, sometimes safety dictates other strategies need to be implemented:

1. When you have to walk on the road… Were you taught at school that if there’s no footpath to walk on, you should walk facing the on-coming traffic? So, while motorists drive on the left side of the road, people, while walking on roads (and footpaths adjacent to roads) should walk on the right side. That way they can see the car coming and step aside if need be. You may also feel more secure if you can see a car coming than if it is coming from behind you.

   Perhaps you weren’t taught it at school, because more often than not, people walk on the left-hand side of the road. This even applies to road running groups, who take to the roads around dawn. If this applies to you, try walking facing the on-coming traffic.

2. Face to face on a narrow trail with a cyclist… our trails are often shared with mtb riders. While we, as the most vulnerable trail user, technically have right of way, they still need to get by. Give them a wide berth and let them pass. If safe, keep left, if it is a narrow trail with a drop off, walkers take the uphill side and let the rider go past.

In other countries… get the lay of the land and ask a local walking club or organisation about good trail etiquette when walking in other places, but remember, always stay safe. If they drive on the right, they walk on the right on most trails, but as stated above, it’s different when we have to walk the roads and their footpaths.