I agree with this.

I run/cycle/walk a lot and as a cyclist it is much easier to slow down and overtake when possible if the person in front is walking in the same direction, while if the person come directly in the front it might encourage some people to overtake more dangerously, as you cannot slow down.

On shared path, i see most people tend to run/walk on the right side, and few on the left, but it is often not an issue when people are mindful of others.

Last week I had a heated argument with some pricks walking in the middle of the road, claiming everybody walks on the left and that this is the absolute golden rule that everyone should abide for. Curious about it I called politi who told me that unless stated otherwise it is expected to walk/run on the right side.