In Canada, we tend to walk on sidewalks on the left side of the street so that we face towards oncoming traffic.
Yet, on the Valley Trail in Whistler, we are encouraged to walk on the right, exposing us to the danger of being struck in the back by those on wheels.
Observe people with children on any street and you will notice that attentive and caring parents protect their child by holding the child’s right hand in their (the parent’s) left hand with the oncoming traffic to the parent’s right.
Dogs are similarly walked on the handler’s left.
This automatic/learned behaviour in North America leads to issues on the Valley Trail when people walk on the right. Their toddlers and dogs, still on their left, tend to be vulnerable to oncoming “traffic,” i.e. people on wheels, as kids and dogs tend to wander over the dividing line and into the path of oncoming pedestrians and more dangerously, those on wheels.
Imagine, for a moment, how you will feel when you can see wheeled traffic approaching you instead of tensing as you sense them approaching you from behind where you can’t see them but know they are there and may soon be upon you.
Will the Resort Municipality of Whistler adopt and champion this change with new and improved signage on the path and at entrances to the Valley Trail?
This will not lead to increased congestion—pedestrians and those on wheels will see each other approaching and take the necessary action to maintain safe passage.
