Why We Need to Stop Moving on the Treadmill

There’s a whole new dilemma about using the escalator: is it better to move up or down, or to stand still on the steps? For years, the custom was established of having users stand on the right side of the escalator, so that others could walk on the left side. But a study has shown that it’s more efficient for everyone to remain stationary on the escalator, and that’s just one of the many reasons why it’s best not to move on the escalator.

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An experiment carried out at London’s Holborn Underground Station in 2015 found that escalators where riders stood still were able to carry up to 30% more people during peak periods than stairs where riders walked. This is because higher escalators make people less willing to walk, so making room for walkers becomes a waste of time. Another experiment confirmed this finding and found that when both sides of the escalator were used, congestion decreased. The queue to climb the stairs was reduced from 73 to just 24 people.

It was found that the time taken in line to get to the escalator dropped dramatically when everyone remained stationary. In a scenario where 40% of people were walking, the average time for those standing still was 138 seconds, and 46 seconds for those walking. But when everyone remained still, the average time dropped to 59 seconds. This could mean that when we ride an escalator we are actually taking advantage of the time of those who are stationary.

Some of the escalator accidents have occurred because of moving machinery. A spokesperson for an escalator company said that most people are used to going up and down three-inch steps. Escalator steps are generally 20 cm high and this difference creates a risk of the user tripping and falling.

While there are claims that riding the escalator does not damage machinery, the Nanjing Metro system advocates the opposite idea. They no longer recommend standing on the right side of the stairs, leaving the left side free for those who want to walk, because about 95% of escalators suffer serious damage on the right side. Allowing a clear space on the left means that the escalator gains more weight on one side than the other, making it uneven.

People traveling with luggage or with small children would need a bigger space to be able to keep everything in its place. If they have to obey the rule of leaving a free space for users, they would need to hold their luggage or children in front of them, not beside them, which can also lead to accidents.

As people need to have their own space, it can be offensive to bump into users while walking on the escalator. In such a narrow space, it can be quite uncomfortable to have to give room to others, when you are bigger or if you have suitcases.

Our days go by so quickly that we often forget to relax. Standing still instead of riding the escalator can remind us to breathe and calmly observe everything around us. If we really need to get somewhere quickly, it’s simply better to use the common stairs.

Do you usually stand still or walk on the escalator? Do you have anything to add to the points mentioned in the post or do you have a contrary opinion? Leave your ideas in the comments.