Some members of the Fredericton running community are defending the winter practice of running on city streets in light of concerns raised by a city cab driver.

Fredericton is home to an expansive trail network that most of the city's runners use to keep in shape. But when the snow starts falling, it is impossible to run on those trails, so that's when dedicated runners hit the streets.

'Be aware of the traffic, follow the rules of the road, always be careful and cautious at intersections.'— John Acheson, manager of the Fredericton Running Room

David Tree runs about 10 kilometres a day and uses the street system in winter.

"In the winter we're pretty well forced to go on the road. We try and look for a quiet neighborhood," he said.

"Quite often our winter route takes us through [the downtown neighbourhood of] Sunshine Gardens, where we do a couple of loops and then come back through the quieter side streets … just so there's less traffic."

Even after the sidewalks are cleared, they can be treacherous for runners who may lose their footing on snow and ice that remain after the plows go by.

Doug Ryan, a taxi driver and snowplow operator, said runners add a level of danger to his work.

"Driving a plow truck with the blade out there. I haven't got a whole lot of room to manoeuvre, especially if I'm meeting another vehicle and the joggers are on my side," he said. "Well, what do I do, hit the car or hit the joggers?"

Ryan said he'll see runners go in groups, two abreast taking up half the road.

Road running violates law

Const. Ralph Currie of the Fredericton Police Force said those runners should realize they're breaking the law and it could come with a $172.50 fine.

"If people are walking or running on the verge of a highway or roadway, it has to be in single file by definition of the Motor Vehicle Act," Currie said.

Actually the law states that when sidewalks are provided it is unlawful for a "pedestrian" to travel on the adjacent road. However, when there are not sidewalks, the act allows for pedestrians to "when practicable, travel only on the extreme left side of the roadway, not more than two abreast, facing traffic."

Ryan said runners should use some common sense.

"Fredericton has got plenty of facilities for exercising. There's the Willie O'Ree [Place], Nashwaaksis Field House — both have indoor tracks that would be the best for the winter time," he said

However, Tree said it isn't the same running on an indoor track or a treadmill because people don't get the sunshine and fresh air. And he said runners would be missing too much if they got their workout on a treadmill.

John Acheson, the manager of the Running Room in Fredericton, said safety is stressed in all of the store's clinics for runners.

"Be aware of the traffic, follow the rules of the road, always be careful and cautious at intersections," Acheson said.