Your Guide To Escalator Etiquette: Essential Tips You Need To Know

While not as fast as most elevators, escalators can easily move large groups of people and reduce the amount of time and energy it takes to get to destinations on different floors. They are frequently used in buildings with high levels of foot traffic like public transit stations, malls, and stadiums.

Although we may take these ascending and descending conveyor stairs for granted, there are some rules of etiquette we must understand and obey to ensure every rider travels safely and without delay. Here is a list of escalator etiquette tips you need to know.

Avoid Bottlenecking When Getting On Or Off The Escalator 

It is good etiquette to be aware of those around you when getting on and off an escalator. Avoid pushing and shoving your way onto the escalator and move out of the way as soon as you step off. Creating a traffic jam and/or bottleneck situation could lead to injuries if someone trips or falls onto the escalator.

This is a very important rule to follow, especially in high traffic areas like airports, train stations, offices and malls during peak periods, and venues like stadiums where large groups of people will be arriving or leaving at the same time. If a large group of people arrive at the escalator at the same time, a zipper merge should be followed. This allows everyone to get on with minimal congestion.

If you are with other people, board the escalator single file to allow a clear path for other commuters (those who decide to walk or run up or down) to pass. If someone cuts in between you and whoever you are with, do not talk over the person in the middle. Wait until you disembark to carry on the conversation.

Always Face Forward On An Escalator

Once you have boarded an escalator you should face the direction that the escalator is going. This will greatly reduce the chances of injury should you or someone near you lose their balance and fall. Facing forward will also prevent you from tripping once you reach the top or bottom of the escalator when the steps meet the comb plate.

Know Which Side To Stand On An Escalator

Knowing which side to stand on a moving escalator depends on where you live. Some countries like Canada, the United Kingdom, and parts of Japan (Osaka) stand on the right, while other countries like Australia, New Zealand, and other parts of Japan (Tokyo) stand on the left.

If you are unsure which side to stand on, observe people boarding the escalator and copy them. This creates a clear path for people who want to walk or run up the escalator. Here is a helpful article we found that describes standing and walking etiquette on escalators in 8 different countries.

If you are the only person on the escalator, you can choose which side to stand on. Other commuters will likely follow suit, even if they typically stand on the other side.

There may be times when you set foot on a narrow escalator. If you do, follow the flow; if people are walking up, walk up. If people are standing, stand. Narrow escalators aren't very common, but they do still exist in some older buildings.

Hold On To The Escalator Handrails

Holding on to the escalator handrail reduces the chances of you losing your balance and falling especially if you are standing on two steps or if the escalator suddenly stops. Escalator handrails serve other purposes as well, including providing support when getting on and off and providing balance and stability for riders.

Escalator handrails are often full of germs and harmful bacteria. Newer escalators are being installed with ultraviolet handrail sterilizers that use UV-C sterilization to continually sanitize the handrail as it passes under the escalator. Some older escalators may be retrofitted with these devices but the majority of them will not.

You can also apply hand sanitizer as another layer of protection once you get off the escalator. Be sure that your hand sanitizer is at least 60% alcohol to ensure any bacteria on your hands is effectively eliminated.

Leave One Step Between Persons On The Escalator

Leaving one step between you and the person in front of you on an escalator is an acceptable buffer to ensure you are not encroaching on their personal space. Standing too close to someone, especially in a crowded space like an escalator, can make the other person feel very uncomfortable.

Having a one-step buffer also gives you time to brace yourself should the person in front of you lose their balance and fall backwards. Being able to brace yourself can reduce the chances of you also falling, which could create a domino effect.

Travelling Heavy? Reduced Mobility? Use The Elevator Instead 

If you are travelling with bulky items or have reduced mobility, we highly recommend using an elevator. Many areas that have escalators also have an accessible elevator nearby. Some places, like Japan, have wheelchair accessible escalators and lifts.

Bulky items like suitcases, strollers, and grocery bags should be placed on the step in front of you on an escalator. Doing so will allow other people to pass. Be sure to pick up your items before they reach the comb plate to avoid the item getting jammed between the plate and stair.

Interested in learning etiquette tips for elevators? Read our article Elevator Etiquette Explained: How To Navigate Social Norms to learn more!

Question: Is It Better To Stand Or Walk When Going Up Or Down The Escalator?

A question almost as old as escalators themselves: "is it faster to walk or stand when riding an escalator?" A study from 2011 shows that roughly 75% of riders prefer standing on escalators while 25% prefer walking.

While walking up the escalator is quicker for the individual, the total throughput number for walkers is lower than people who decide to stand. This was an interesting discovery made by Stylist UK. At first, this seems counterintuitive, but there are two major factors at play:

• 1. The spacing between riders is reduced for those who stand. Like we mentioned earlier, there should only be a 1 stair gap between people who stand on escalators. Walkers require more room to move freely up the escalator, reducing the number of people who can walk up the escalator at any given time.

• 2. People blocking the path for walkers slows them down. Instead of moving at their own pace, they get slowed down by people moving out of the way or stuck behind them until they reach the top or bottom of the escalator.

Habits are hard to break, so here are some etiquette tips for both people who walk and people who stand on escalators:

If You Are Walking, Don't Shove

If you are a walker, refrain from shoving people out of the way. Don't use your briefcase or backpack as a battering ram. Say "excuse me" to anyone who may be in your way and be sure to say it loud enough to get their attention. Be sure to give them enough time and space to move.

If You Stand, Avoid Staring At Other Riders

Some escalators are designed as parallel escalators (one side goes up and the other goes down). Avoid staring at people going the opposite direction as this can make them feel uncomfortable. A quick glance if you're looking around is fine, but staring someone down isn't very polite.

If You Stand, Do Not Sit Or Lay On The Escalator Handrails

The handrails of an escalator are there for your safety. Sitting, laying, or planking (a fad that grew in popularity during the early 2010s where people tried to lay as flat as possible in public places), on escalator handrails can result in serious injuries and even death.

But Most Importantly: Be Courteous To Other Riders

Allow families with small children and people who require assistance (e.g.: people with crutches, elderly, heavy items, etc.) to board the escalator before you do. Give them enough room and time to disembark once they reach the top or bottom. Offer assistance to them if it looks like they need a helping hand. It will go a long way.

Summary

Whether travelling abroad or just leaving work, understanding and applying these escalator etiquette tips will reduce the amount of congestion and frustration you and other riders may experience while riding the escalator. Acts of common courtesy and being respectful towards others will make the short ride up or down feel even shorter.

Did you enjoy this article? Learn something new? Share it with a friend and follow Esteemed Gentleman on social media to stay up to date with new articles and posts!

Links:

Facebook

Instagram

Don't forget to sign up below to stay up to date on new articles and reviews we publish!