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I would hate to see someone not go for a walk because they are scared of falling on the sidewalk. Perhaps you live in more unforgiving place than most, or are t

I would hate to see someone not go for a walk because they are scared of falling on the sidewalk. Perhaps you live in more unforgiving place than most, or are thinking of older population, but living an unhealthy life controlled by fear seems like more of a concern than the risks of going for a walk.

nicoburns 6y ago
The context may be the UK where it rarely snows (typically <5 snow days per year), but has been snowing/icy over the last few days. In that context it may make sense to avoid the one icy week of the year if you are planning to take up walking when you haven't before.
- dundarious 6y ago
  From his website, OP is in an area with yearly cold snowy winters. I live in an area with similar winters and walking unprepared is no fun at all. I nearly broke my tailbone in a fall once, and I'm healthy and generally careful, but maybe if I had read what OP said, "Definitely walk, but be aware that surprise slick spots are a thing, and you can do something about it," I could have avoided the fall.
codyb 6y ago
Have you fallen on the concrete or ice lately? I can tell you, it really really sucks. There's been a lot of snow lately, I think you don't necessarily have to be living a life of fear to not want to slip on the ice. For the record, I'm a 30 year old, in good shape, and love to walk. But walking outside these last few days in NYC has been a lot of tepid steps with the slush because it is indeed slick. I caught myself when I slipped on something metal and slick the other day, but it was close. And as a sibling commenter said, even the jerky movements can end up causing issues. It's been very pretty out, but I don't think lately has been the kind of walking conditions I usually associate with the sorts of walks that are described in the post despite those moments of appreciation for winter wonderland.
- jiofih 6y ago
  And it was better 100 years ago?
  - Jtsummers 6y ago
    Terrain can make a difference. If given the choice, I'd walk over ice that was on top of grass, gravel, or smaller stones (that is, most are in the 1-3" diameter range) over concrete or asphalt. That ice generally gives way under you and provides you a chance to get traction without specialty footgear. The ice that forms on pavement is often much slicker, and the pavement doesn't give so the ice doesn't break underfoot. Concrete and asphalt also promote the development of ice in a way that other surfaces do not, because they retain heat from the sun hitting them. That's the principle issue here, even when it's 10-20F, the pavement is easily above freezing on a sunny day, and when the snow falls in the afternoon it quickly melts and refreeze creating hazardous conditions until the next day when it thaws (assuming it's not a deep snow) as the sun hits it again.
    - t-writescode 6y ago
      Or walk on the snow rather than the ice. How common were perfectly manicured sidewalks back then?
      - Jtsummers 6y ago
        Our snow is not very deep here, normally. At least not in the winters I’ve been in. But yes, prefer snow to icy patches if it’s an option.
- handoflixue 6y ago
  I slip and fall on concrete about once a year, because my brain can never quite remember how "slippery" works after a nice dry summer. It hurts and I'm stinging for the day, but most of the damage has been to my ego. I'd hardly say it "really, really sucks" Not saying you're wrong, just wondering why our experiences would be so different. I did martial arts as a kid so I definitely know how to take a fall well, so perhaps it's just a skill?

nicoburns 6y ago

The context may be the UK where it rarely snows (typically <5 snow days per year), but has been snowing/icy over the last few days. In that context it may make sense to avoid the one icy week of the year if you are planning to take up walking when you haven't before.

dundarious 6y ago
From his website, OP is in an area with yearly cold snowy winters. I live in an area with similar winters and walking unprepared is no fun at all. I nearly broke my tailbone in a fall once, and I'm healthy and generally careful, but maybe if I had read what OP said, "Definitely walk, but be aware that surprise slick spots are a thing, and you can do something about it," I could have avoided the fall.

codyb 6y ago

Have you fallen on the concrete or ice lately? I can tell you, it really really sucks. There's been a lot of snow lately, I think you don't necessarily have to be living a life of fear to not want to slip on the ice. For the record, I'm a 30 year old, in good shape, and love to walk. But walking outside these last few days in NYC has been a lot of tepid steps with the slush because it is indeed slick. I caught myself when I slipped on something metal and slick the other day, but it was close. And as a sibling commenter said, even the jerky movements can end up causing issues. It's been very pretty out, but I don't think lately has been the kind of walking conditions I usually associate with the sorts of walks that are described in the post despite those moments of appreciation for winter wonderland.

jiofih 6y ago
And it was better 100 years ago?
- Jtsummers 6y ago
  Terrain can make a difference. If given the choice, I'd walk over ice that was on top of grass, gravel, or smaller stones (that is, most are in the 1-3" diameter range) over concrete or asphalt. That ice generally gives way under you and provides you a chance to get traction without specialty footgear. The ice that forms on pavement is often much slicker, and the pavement doesn't give so the ice doesn't break underfoot. Concrete and asphalt also promote the development of ice in a way that other surfaces do not, because they retain heat from the sun hitting them. That's the principle issue here, even when it's 10-20F, the pavement is easily above freezing on a sunny day, and when the snow falls in the afternoon it quickly melts and refreeze creating hazardous conditions until the next day when it thaws (assuming it's not a deep snow) as the sun hits it again.
  - t-writescode 6y ago
    Or walk on the snow rather than the ice. How common were perfectly manicured sidewalks back then?
    - Jtsummers 6y ago
      Our snow is not very deep here, normally. At least not in the winters I’ve been in. But yes, prefer snow to icy patches if it’s an option.
handoflixue 6y ago
I slip and fall on concrete about once a year, because my brain can never quite remember how "slippery" works after a nice dry summer. It hurts and I'm stinging for the day, but most of the damage has been to my ego. I'd hardly say it "really, really sucks" Not saying you're wrong, just wondering why our experiences would be so different. I did martial arts as a kid so I definitely know how to take a fall well, so perhaps it's just a skill?