I’m a bit late to reply, but this is a great explanation. I always assumed it was just the softness of asphalt vs concrete on the knees, but there is absolutely a case to be made for visibility. It’s unexpected as a cyclist, but I am 100% empathetic to the struggles of anyone not in a car, more specifically one of those Dodge Ram 3500s with smokestacks and truck nuts on the bumper that seem to be so popular right now. :-)
Would running on the road be safer, though??
Running against traffic on the road improves pretty much all of these and puts the new threat (oncoming cars) under their control.
It does leave the runner vulnerable to cars turning right (in drive-on-the-right countries) though if they aren’t hyper aware of it.
I’m a bit late to reply, but this is a great explanation. I always assumed it was just the softness of asphalt vs concrete on the knees, but there is absolutely a case to be made for visibility. It’s unexpected as a cyclist, but I am 100% empathetic to the struggles of anyone not in a car, more specifically one of those Dodge Ram 3500s with smokestacks and truck nuts on the bumper that seem to be so popular right now. :-)