BWL's Dan Moser answer's NBC-2 News "Good Question": Do you walk with traffic, or against?

BikeWalkLee's Dan Moser was asked to be the expert on "rules of the road" for pedestrians and cyclists on the NBC-2 News Good Question program.

Have you noticed the new feature on NBC-2 News at 5 p.m., called "Good Question"?  Reporter Chad Oliver answers good questions submitted by viewers by interviewing the questioner, checking out the issue on the ground, and then asking an expert to help answer the question.  Some of the questions that are popping up from viewers have to do with rules of the road and transportation issues.

Wednesday's "Good Question" program featured question from viewer about which way to walk on the road when there are no sidewalks, and Chad asked BikeWalkLee's Dan Moser to answer that question. 

 NBC-2.com WBBH News for Fort Myers, Cape Coral

Good Question: Do you walk with traffic, or against?

Posted: May 20, 2013 1:21 PM EST Updated: May 21, 2013 5:24 PM EST

By Chad Oliver, Reporter - email

LEE COUNTY - We all know vehicles should stay on the right side of the road. But not everyone is on the same page when it comes to walking and biking.

Pat Ryan in Estero asked the Good Question: "What is the proper direction for runners, walkers, and dog walkers when there are no sidewalks in a community?"
It's an important question – especially when you consider that Lee County is in the top-10 in the state for pedestrian and bicycle deaths. 

So knowing the answer to Pat's Good Question can make streets safer for everyone. 
We were able to speak with Pat when she got home from work. She explained that's typically when she'll take her two Boston terriers for a walk.

And because she lives on a street without sidewalks, she explained she always walks facing the oncoming traffic. She says she just wants to make sure she's doing it correctly.
"We've been in neighborhoods before where you could see them mouthing, 'Get off the road,'" Pat said.
To get an answer, we spoke with Dan Moser, a safety advocate for BikeWalkLee.
"It's an excellent question because it adds a lot of confusion. A lot of people clearly don't understand it," Moser said.
He explained Florida law is clear about pedestrians' place on the road.

He says that Pat has doing it correctly. When a sidewalk is not present, walkers need to be on the shoulder and facing the oncoming traffic.
"She can see what's going on and has some opportunity to make an evasive maneuver if she wants," Moser explained.

Following that rule reduces the risk of a crash and it applies to anyone on foot.
"Exactly, that means roller skates, skateboards - and let me add if there's a sidewalk you're compelled to use it legally," Moser said.

But it is also very important to note that the rule is just the opposite when you're on a bike. In that case, you're supposed to ride with the flow of traffic.

Click here to ask Chad Oliver your Good Question.