Since I moved to the Sacramento area approximately one year ago, I have fully embraced its diversity and abundance of recreational activities. I've been particularly impressed with the American River Parkway bike trail – a luxury for avid bikers such as myself.

I've lived in five different states and visited countless more, all of which had some version of a public-use trail. Being a biker, hiker, runner and all-around frequent user of such trails, I have come to appreciate certain global rules of the trail.

Bikers yield to walkers and runners, who in turn yield to equestrians; downhill yields to uphill; you announce when you pass; and – here is my sticking point – you travel on the right side of the trail.

We all know that there are always one or two mutineers who believe the rules don't apply to them. Sort of like the guy who thinks dog poop is an organic product that need not be cleaned from the side of a trail – or even from on the trail. There are also the idiots who ride helmetless, because helmets give you that uncool, safe look and because they never wore one when they were 12. But that's a personal choice and so not my concern.

What is concerning me is that there appears to be an unwritten rule on the Parkway trail – perhaps there is a secret memo out there somewhere? – directing runners and walkers to travel on the opposite side of the trail from where they should logically be – on the right side of the trail.

I've tried to figure this out, and the only thing my mind can fathom is that pedestrians want to see what's coming at them. I suppose seeing the pack of uber-fast competitive bikers as they barrel over you is more comforting than having them sneak up behind you.

However, just because you are facing oncoming traffic doesn't mean you are impervious to harm. The safety factor certainly doesn't increase by having four people, one with a baby stroller, all walking shoulder to shoulder chatting away abouttheir new yoga instructor. This tends to set up a roadblock for a biker turning a blind corner.

There have been countless times when I have been atop a bicycle, traveling at reasonable speeds (if fast by pedestrian standards) and have encountered the aforementioned roadblock. If there is another biker on the appropriate side of the path, and me on my side of the path with a group of pedestrians straight in front of me, someone is going to get hurt. And, frankly, either I'm the one slamming on my brakes and being propelled through the air in cartoonlike fashion, or I'm barreling into your Sunday baby boot camp stroller team.

Please, someone help explain to me why this has become an accepted rule of the trail.

I'm not trying to be a condescending jerky biker. As a matter of fact, I use the trail much more frequently without my wheels. I run and hike, with and without my dog, with and without my baby. When I do, I feel much safer walking along the far right side of the trail, and listening for the requisite "On your left!" that most trail users still shout out. I have never felt threatened by bikers, nor ever been hit or even nearly hit from behind. The only times that I feel placed at risk is when another group is using the trail improperly, leaving no room for passage.

If we all follow the same rules, the trail will be a safer, more enjoyable place. And then I won't have to someday apologize for leaving 3-inch knobby tire tread marks on your chest.

Mila Tschursin is a mediator living in Folsom and a frequent user of the American River Parkway bike trail.