Traffic is picking up on the path. Which is exciting with all the energy, but also can be a bit stressful with so many people. There are walkers, runners, bikers, roller bladers, and everything in between going along on the lakefront path at all times. But did you know everyone falls into a category and if you spend enough time on the path (which I'm comfortable admitting I do) you'll be able to distinguish them very quickly?
* The tourists. Or the Chicagans who never come to the path but once a year.
Basically, they don't know the rules, therefore they don't follow them. They are usually in the way and people are usually frustrated with them. They don't know any better though. The rules aren't posted anywhere... you just know. I have to remind myself the majority of the people on the bridge just south of Navy Pier don't know any better and I have to remind myself often.
*The people who have been around long enough to know and understand the rules and try their best to follow them. We all have our moments where we make a mistake. It's called being human. They can recognize the people not following the rules and try to just deal with it.
*The people who know the rules and choose not to follow them. They clearly are on the path all the time so they should know the rules, but I just don't know what they're thinking when the path is packed and they cross over getting in the other direction's way.
*The people who know the rules and yell at those who don't follow the rules. I'm not referring to the bikers who say "on your left" before they pass you. That's a courtesy. These people are generally not so nice. They're the ones who might yell, "Stay in your lane!" Maybe with some obscenities. The obscenities aren't necessary, especially when yelling at a tourist, but sometimes I think the ones who are aware of the rules and breaking them need to be straightened out.
So with all that said... what are the rules?
Biggest and easiest: Stay to the right! Seriously, it's not that hard.
Please don't walk more than two across. It just makes it easier on everyone. People will need to pass you.
Please look both ways before crossing the path. If you do not and a biker almost hits you, don't yell at them like it's their fault. And please don't let your kids cross alone. They will not look. They do not know any better.
If you're roller blading, please be aware of how much space you take up and that your steps are rather unpredictable.
Easy, right?
If more people tried a bit harder, everyone would be safer and happier with a bit less stress!
Give it a try.
* The tourists. Or the Chicagans who never come to the path but once a year.
Basically, they don't know the rules, therefore they don't follow them. They are usually in the way and people are usually frustrated with them. They don't know any better though. The rules aren't posted anywhere... you just know. I have to remind myself the majority of the people on the bridge just south of Navy Pier don't know any better and I have to remind myself often.
*The people who have been around long enough to know and understand the rules and try their best to follow them. We all have our moments where we make a mistake. It's called being human. They can recognize the people not following the rules and try to just deal with it.
*The people who know the rules and choose not to follow them. They clearly are on the path all the time so they should know the rules, but I just don't know what they're thinking when the path is packed and they cross over getting in the other direction's way.
*The people who know the rules and yell at those who don't follow the rules. I'm not referring to the bikers who say "on your left" before they pass you. That's a courtesy. These people are generally not so nice. They're the ones who might yell, "Stay in your lane!" Maybe with some obscenities. The obscenities aren't necessary, especially when yelling at a tourist, but sometimes I think the ones who are aware of the rules and breaking them need to be straightened out.
So with all that said... what are the rules?
Biggest and easiest: Stay to the right! Seriously, it's not that hard.
Please don't walk more than two across. It just makes it easier on everyone. People will need to pass you.
Please look both ways before crossing the path. If you do not and a biker almost hits you, don't yell at them like it's their fault. And please don't let your kids cross alone. They will not look. They do not know any better.
If you're roller blading, please be aware of how much space you take up and that your steps are rather unpredictable.
Easy, right?
If more people tried a bit harder, everyone would be safer and happier with a bit less stress!
Give it a try.
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