Jogging in the bike lane

I almost never see people in DC jogging in the bike lane, but lately I've been biking on Commonwealth Avenue in Alexandria to school. On the way home - in the 9pm range - I almost always come across multiple joggers running toward me in the bike lane. One night I think I came across a running club of 40+ joggers. I'm not sure about the safety of this (thought if you're going to do it at night, perhaps you should wear something reflective) but I've not yet had any problem getting around them safely. It doesn't really bother me, but what is it with jogging in the bike lane in DC's Mexico? I'm curious.

Comments

[Ron Alford]

It's probably for the asphalt. Asphalt absorbs much more shock than concrete, making it more pleasant to run on. When I jog in the neighborhood, I choose the streets over the sidewalk.

Unlike your bike lane buddies, though, I try to avoid traffic, rather than make them avoid me.

[Contrarian]

What is "DC's Mexico"?

[Washcycle]

Virginia. Maryland is DC's Canada.

[Lars]

As an ex-marathoner, I agree that asphalt is infinitely preferable to concrete. The organizers of a marathon in Newport Rhode Island even re-routed a course to avoud some particularly unforgiving concrete near the end of the race. As for the group, the could be Hash House Harriers, or a local running club or a Meetup.com group.

[kenf]

"As for the group, the could be Hash House Harriers, or a local running club or a Meetup.com group."

Hash House Harriers; a bunch of drinkers with a running problem.

[Deb]

It could also be the condition of the sidewalks. (I'm not familiar with that road, so this might not apply.) If the sidewalks are in bad condition, it makes for rough running, and potential injuries. I ride from s. arlington to the newington/lorton area for my commute, and almost the only time I see people jogging / walking in the bike lane is when the sidewalks are filled with snow or ice.

Cop cars, on the other hand, seem to constantly nap in the bike lane.

[Contrarian]

Virginia. Maryland is DC's Canada.

Isn't that kind of unfair... to Mexico?

[Tom]

So right you are Lars. On the Moh's scale concrete is harder than asphalt. But it would take one hell of a tender foot to tell the difference in February.

What I worry about with joggers/runners in the bike lane is about their head protection decisions. I hope all runners on the roads realize that they are a drunk driver away from becoming a vegetable. I don't see nearly enough "road runners" wearing helmets. They like bicyclists should know that safety is sexy.

[ridethewomble]

Oy. Pet Peeve. As if we didn't have enough user conflicts on multi-use trails. We have ONE spot that's supposed to be reserved for bikes, and we can't even have it. Sigh.

[Eric_W.]

And thhey are coming at you the wrong way!

[think a little]

These must be the same joggers that I nearly killed on the Mt. Vernon trail 2 weeks ago----if you are running after dark on a trail with no lights, please, please, please do not wear your all black jogging suit and run in packs....it will only end badly

[ibc]

"I almost never see people in DC jogging in the bike lane..."

Capitol Hill, all the time.

It doesn't bother me that much, unless they're running against traffic. That's a recipe for me running you over...

(The pas de deux is pretty dangerous with a speed difference of 30 mph)

[lf]

There neesa to be a law to get runners either:

a) out of the bike lane, and roads
b) going WITH the flow of traffic
c) wearing a helmet IF they wanna run intraffic with cars and cyclists

[ibc]

I don't see nearly enough "road runners" wearing helmets

Oh, for the love of God...