In countries like England and Austrailia where people drive on the left side of the road, do people also walk on the left side of a path, hallway, etc?

I've tried to use this line of logic to prove that they are driving on the wrong side of the road, but I can guarantee that Karrow won't give a straight answer. From my personal experience, rules of walking in England are the same as in the US... people walk on the right usually but it can also seem that people are just walking wherever and however they please. Especially silly when they all have umbrellas and you have no idea how people are not gettin clobbered by each others' umbrellas.

Anyhow, I'll be interested to see what our British members have to say.

The one sure rule is that we are expected to stand on the right on escalators ( I think ) That's the rule on London Underground ones, anyway . That may be simply because most people would prefer to use the right hand handrail . I'll report back after shopping in Cambridge today. I've never really thought about it. It seems more natural to walk on the right but then it is more natural to mount a horse from its left, which is why we drive on the left anyway ( So did everyone else until Napoleon's wagon trains had forward pillions who , naturally, sat on the left-hand lead horse of the team.That made for a right hand position. Dictating by such military considerations the commander and Emperor so ruled )
Note: Curiously French railway trains seem to drive on the left too. However the Metro lines seem to have a rule of the right. What do American trains do?

Heh, I thought of a great question. Thanks, guys. I'm not sure about our trains, Fred. And I'll be waiting for your report back.

I think American trains are on the right track and enter from the right side.

I found this on a German "English Learners" forum which clarifies things

quote:

in days of old logic dictated that when people passed each other on the road they should be in the best possible position to use their sword to protect themselves. As most people are right handed they therefore keep to their left. This practice was formalised in a Papal Edict by Pope Benedict around 1300AD who told all his pilgrims to keep to the left.
Nothing much changed until 1773 when an increase in horse traffic forced the UK Government to introduce the General Highways Act of 1773 which contained a keep left recommendation. This became a law as part of the Highways Bill in 1835.

In the Uk Highway Code it states that pedestrians on a road with no sidewalk should walk on the side of the road facing on coming traffic in other words on the right(to take appropiate action if required?) Difficult if you are hitching a ride?
Though in practice Most walkers take the shortest way around most of the roads bends
When I was in Ireland had to get from A to B in this Manner on the country roads
And its not Jaywalking. If you are interested? European Police are lenient on this. Only time they'll pull you is if you are causing an obstruction(eg.walking in the middle of a busy road?)and encroaching on the Motorway(Interstate)or any route designated a "Special Road"

quote:

Originally posted by bedstor:
I found this on a German "English Learners" forum which clarifies things

quote:

in days of old logic dictated that when people passed each other on the road they should be in the best possible position to use their sword to protect themselves. As most people are right handed they therefore keep to their left. This practice was formalised in a Papal Edict by Pope Benedict around 1300AD who told all his pilgrims to keep to the left.
Nothing much changed until 1773 when an increase in horse traffic forced the UK Government to introduce the General Highways Act of 1773 which contained a keep left recommendation. This became a law as part of the Highways Bill in 1835.

So far, we seem to be saying that people walk on the right though. So something must've happened since those early days before the 1700s. Your second post does clarify a bit though, thanks.

Regarding the roads without sidewalks, it is essentially the same in the US. Traffic laws say walkers and joggers should stay to the left, so that they face oncoming traffic, but in practice many walk on the 'wrong' side.