Is there a concept of wrong-way walking on sidewalks?

[StAthena]

Sidewalks are not subject to wrong-way walking issues. A sidewalk refers to a dedicated pedestrian passage separated by curbs, guardrails, or similar facilities, typically about four meters wide. Sidewalks are very common in urban areas, generally present alongside most streets. Relevant provisions regarding pedestrian walking in the "Road Traffic Safety Law of the People's Republic of China" are as follows: Article 47: Motor vehicles shall slow down when passing crosswalks and stop to yield to pedestrians crossing. When encountering pedestrians crossing roads without traffic signals, motor vehicles shall give way. Article 61: Pedestrians shall walk on sidewalks; where there are no sidewalks, they shall walk on the roadside. Article 62: Pedestrians crossing intersections or roads shall use crosswalks or pedestrian overpass facilities. At signalized crosswalks, pedestrians shall obey traffic signals. When crossing at unsignalized intersections or road sections without crosswalks or overpass facilities, pedestrians shall cross only after confirming safety. Article 63: Pedestrians shall not climb over or sit on road isolation facilities, nor hitch rides, forcibly stop vehicles, or engage in other acts that endanger road traffic safety. Article 65: When crossing railway crossings, pedestrians shall follow traffic signals or management personnel's instructions. In the absence of signals or personnel, they shall cross quickly only after confirming no approaching trains.

[LukeLee]

Over the years of walking on the streets, I've noticed that sidewalks themselves don't have regulations against walking in the opposite direction like vehicle lanes do. Pedestrians are free to choose their walking direction, but traffic regulations often suggest keeping to the right side. For example, according to China's road safety rules, pedestrians should walk on the right side of the road when there's no dedicated walkway. This is mainly for safety and order, reducing collisions between pedestrians or conflicts with bicycles and scooters sharing the space. In daily life, I think walking against the flow might increase the risk of bumping into oncoming pedestrians, especially during peak hours. Developing the habit of keeping to the right can make walking smoother, just like cars driving on the right to avoid accidents. I also feel that in urban planning, some places mark directional arrows on sidewalks to guide movement, but these aren't mandatory. Overall, this free design makes the pedestrian experience more humane, but paying attention to traffic signals when crossing the street is more crucial.

[SanMargaret]

From a safety perspective, while sidewalks don't enforce directional walking, going against the flow is truly not a good idea. If you pay close attention to traffic like I do, you'll notice that keeping to the right helps avoid head-on collisions—especially when bicycles or skateboards zoom past, as they often use sidewalks to cut through. I've witnessed near-accidents involving pedestrians walking against traffic because drivers or riders struggle to predict their movements. Near vehicle traffic areas, pedestrians going the wrong way might even be mistakenly deemed at fault. I recommend everyone consciously stay to the right, just like maintaining right-side driving on roads. This not only protects yourself but reduces overall chaos. In fact, some communities naturally form one-way flow patterns on narrower sidewalks, though it's not a strict rule. Ultimately, smart mobility begins with small details.

[DiAlyssa]

I stroll around the city all day and never thought sidewalks had directions. People walk freely, stepping wherever there's space, with no fixed direction. However, walking against the flow makes it easier to get squeezed by crowds or get glared at for blocking the way. Compared to car lanes, where driving the wrong way leads to heavy fines, we pedestrians have much more freedom. The key point is safety: walking against the flow increases the chance of bumping into others, especially at intersections and turns. Anyway, I choose to stick to the right side to avoid trouble. This habit comes from cycling—the right side feels smoother. Of course, no one checks your direction; just go as you please.