Actually, in Hungary (at least when I was a kid) they thought us, pedestrians, to use the left side, although this was more important when there was no sidewalk. The reason is, drivers might not see pedestrians very well, especially at night, but pedestrians do have a higher chance to see cars, as cars are usually illuminated. The pedestrian is facing forward, so it’s easy to see and react when a car is coming. But from behind? They’ll pass on the right side of the road, so there should be plenty of clearance.
And I was legit surprised when I moved to Germany, pedestrians here are using the right side.
In my state in the US we were taught if you were on a bike you go with traffic because you are moving fast but if you are walking/running then go against traffic so you can move out of the way if needed.
America is the same way in that regard. I think what op was saying it’s when you’re on the sidewalk or in a grocery aisle, use the same rules of the road with other pedestrians/bikers.
Actually, in Hungary (at least when I was a kid) they thought us, pedestrians, to use the left side, although this was more important when there was no sidewalk. The reason is, drivers might not see pedestrians very well, especially at night, but pedestrians do have a higher chance to see cars, as cars are usually illuminated. The pedestrian is facing forward, so it’s easy to see and react when a car is coming. But from behind? They’ll pass on the right side of the road, so there should be plenty of clearance.
And I was legit surprised when I moved to Germany, pedestrians here are using the right side.
German here. I was taught the same thing, when walking on a country road. If there’s a pavement, I walk wherever.
In my state in the US we were taught if you were on a bike you go with traffic because you are moving fast but if you are walking/running then go against traffic so you can move out of the way if needed.
I used to use same rule when riding bike in paved roads with no side walk.
America is the same way in that regard. I think what op was saying it’s when you’re on the sidewalk or in a grocery aisle, use the same rules of the road with other pedestrians/bikers.
That’s what I was taught for walking country roads with no pavement, sometimes even no shoulder.