Enjoying Your Riverwoods Walks

Walking is a simple, low-impact activity that people of almost any age can do to help stay in shape. However, pedestrians still face dangers when walking on main roads, side roads, en-trance/exit roads or fire roads. To protect yourself and stay safe while out walking, please re-member the following rules.

Face Traffic
If there is no sidewalk, walk on the side of the road where you’ll be facing oncoming traffic. That means that if cars drive on the right side of the road, as they do in North America, you should walk on the left. That enables you to see cars headed toward you and time to move out of the way of a reckless or speeding driver (despite rules and warnings).

Keep in mind that:
· Electric vehicles are silent, so you may not hear them coming from behind you.
· Fire roads are single lane and work crews occasionally need to use them.

Walk Single File
If you are not on a sidewalk or in a pedestrian lane, you are advised to walk single file and stay close to the side of the road. This gives vehicle traffic the widest berth and enables drivers to avoid you, if necessary. This is especially important on curvy, narrow, hilly roads on which someone may be driving too fast (despite signs and warnings) and might only have a second to twitch the wheel and avoid hitting you. Walking side-by-side is enjoyable, but it isn’t safe.

Make Sure You’re Visible
If you are walking during the day, wear bright colors so that you are easy to see. Walking at night is strongly discouraged since streetlights are not permitted and drivers don’t anticipate walkers. If you must walk at night, wear light bright colors, a reflective vest and keep your flashlight on. Be extra careful around dawn or dusk as drivers may have the rising or setting sun in their eyes.

Move Predictably
Don’t move randomly or meander from one side of the road to the other. Try to keep your arms by your sides, as unanticipated wild arm gestures may cause you to accidentally hit a passing runner or cyclist.

Don’t Blast Music
Listening to an audiobook or some music while walking certainly is a pleasant experience, but it can be unsafe. Keep the volume low enough for you to remain fully aware of your environment. You’ll need to hear bike bells, approaching cars and “on your left!” callouts from cyclists or run-ners.

Put Your Phone Away
Texting, talking or playing games on your phone while you walk is dangerous, just as it is when you’re driving. If you are distracted, you won’t be fully aware of your environment and could fail to notice danger from other traffic.

Keep Your Dogs on a Short Leash
Whether on a leash or not, it is scary and tragic to see a dog run into traffic, get into a dog fight or bite someone. Keep your dog and people around you safe by keeping your dog on a leash that is short enough for you to maintain control.