For many commuters, walking up or down escalators feels like a time-saving shortcut. After all, why stand still when you can move faster? Yet transport authorities and safety experts across the world increasingly advise against this habit. While it might seem efficient, walking on escalators is more dangerous, less effective, and even unfair to others. Here’s why.
1. Safety Comes First
Escalators are not designed like traditional stairs. Their moving, uneven steps make balance trickier, and a single misstep can lead to serious injuries. Walking increases the chances of tripping, falling, or colliding with others. In crowded conditions, one person’s fall can trigger a domino effect, endangering multiple passengers. The risk is even greater for children, the elderly, or those carrying heavy bags.
2. Escalators Aren’t Made for Walking
Unlike stationary stairs, escalators are intended to move people while they stand. The ridged design of the steps, combined with the sudden transition at the top and bottom, makes fast walking unsafe. Shoes, clothing, or luggage can easily catch in the moving grooves, especially if someone is in a hurry.
3. Efficiency Myths
Many believe that walking saves time for everyone, but research shows otherwise. Transport systems in London and Tokyo found that allowing people to stand still on both sides actually moves more passengers per minute than leaving one side free for walkers. When people walk, one side of the escalator is underused, while the other side gets overcrowded. Standing on both sides distributes weight evenly and clears queues faster.
4. Accessibility Matters
Not everyone can—or should—walk on escalators. Elderly passengers, children, people with mobility challenges, or those carrying strollers or suitcases often need to stand still for safety. Encouraging walking creates pressure on these individuals and reduces inclusivity in shared public spaces.
5. What Experts Recommend
Recognizing these issues, many transport authorities now advise commuters to stop walking on escalators altogether. In places like Tokyo, Hong Kong, and several European cities, campaigns encourage passengers to “stand still, hold the handrail, and let the escalator do the work.”
The Bottom Line
Escalators are built to make our journeys easier, not riskier. By standing still instead of walking, you reduce the chance of accidents, speed up movement for everyone, and ensure accessibility for all passengers. The safest and smartest way to use an escalator is simple: step on, hold the rail, and ride it
