Sidewalk Etiquette for New York City
The Pedestrian Rulebook
The first thing you can do to keep traffic flowing is to walk on the correct side of the sidewalk. Just as cars cruise on the right side, so should pedestrians. You're swimming against the current if you're on the left, and really, you're just getting in the way. And while you're walking on the right side, try to keep moving in a relatively straight line. Trying to pass someone who looks like they're tacking back to shore is frustrating. Remember: be right, go right, walk right.
In keeping with the walking theme, don't stop in the middle of the sidewalk for no reason. It's a great way to get run over by an angry mob. If your shoe requires lacing or you find yourself lost looking for directions, move off to the side. Simple common sense, though you'd be shocked how often unsuspecting tourists take a knee to the back because they've failed to pull over.
There's a lot going on visually on the streets of New York. Tall buildings and interesting personalities, street vendors and performers. All of them are certain to catch your eye. But beware. Don't meander or wander aimlessly. Staring up at the pretty bright sign is another great way to get knocked over.
If you're walking with others, which is often the case, don't walk three and four wide across the sidewalk. It's annoying. Someone who moves at a faster clip than your group should not have to wander into oncoming cars to pass you. And if you're walking alone on a narrow sidewalk, don't walk directly down the middle so that no one can pass on either side. Be cognizant of your surroundings. Just common courtesy.
It rains sometimes in New York. Umbrellas are certainly a popular method to keep you dry. It's absolutely acceptable to use your umbrellas on crowded sidewalks so long as you're courteous to your fellow pedestrians. But if you're carrying the world's largest golf umbrella down the sidewalk, you deserve to be kicked. As far as I'm aware, there are no ongoing contests for the largest and most obnoxious umbrellas. Please keep them reasonable.
It's that simple. Just like the rules of the road, these are the rules of the sidewalk. Not overreaching, not overcomplicated, just common sense. If everyone participates, we all win. So walk safely.
Published by Y! Mike C.
I was the CFO at Associated Content, and now a member of the wonderful team at Yahoo!. I love sports, and more specifically I love football, and even more specifically I love the Miami Dolphins and the Michi... View profile
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10 Comments
Post a CommentJust wondering, is this from a New Yorker's perspective or are you a tourist?
Meanwhile I have a couple of my own pet peaves about sidewalk etiquette:
1. Tourists, There really should be a tourist lane on the sidewalk. Stop blocking the path while gawking at the big buildings.
2. Take the picture already. How long do I have to wait to pass while you focus the point and shoot camera?
3. Why do they always have to dash in front of you. Have you ever heard of allowing someone to go ahead of you.
4. Pedestrians are the biggest problems causing traffic jams; Just because the light is green doesn't mean that you have to walk in front of the cars so that there is a traffic Jam all the way down the avenue.
5. This goes along with the above: Even though there are no cars coming you should still wait till the light turns green. It's good practice and common courtesy.
6. Lastly, I like big unbrellas they keep me dry. Please just be careful and keep them out of the way of others.
I honestly couldn't agree more with this article.
Love it. One of my biggest pet peeves is when people walk two or three wide and don't get out of the way for me, coming the other way. When I was in Australia took me awhile to adjust to being on the left side of the sidewalk.
People with umbrellas should hold them higher than the tallest person around them. I have started aggressively pushing away umbrellas that come near my face. It's my number one annoyance on New York's streets.
Great tips.
I think I can sum up your thoughts like this: "get out of my way".
my only beef is your prescribed penalties for violating this simple rules.... Draw and quartering, public disembowelment, or 2 days in the stockade seem more appropriate. otherwise you naaaaailed it!
I hope people read this and start thinking about others. I've been behind the dawdlers or people who don't realize that umbrellas can be dangerous, especially if oversized.
Navigating around a group of dawdlers walking in a horizontal line is the absolute worst. Thanks for putting this stuff in writing.
Awesome tips! :-)