We get stuck in battles because some of us are a little lazy (not mentioning names for caustious reason) to stay on the sidewalk. I know MarleyBone has no sidewalk but if you time it right, you won't get stuck in battles. Some places in MarleyBone like Kensington Park you do get stuck in battles a lot but that is because it is a dungeon for advanced wizards. If you think I am wrong (which you might, it's fine for your opinion) you can post why.
Well, I don't disagree with you entirely, but in some places, like SUnken CIty the enimies will "pull" you off the sidewalks. Also, in some ares of Krokotopia when you are in the buildings you might have to walk off the side walk to go where you want to go. Eample:
A___________| |______________B
_______________________________
How will you get rom point A to point B While only walking on the sidewalks\lines? You could go up the hall until there is a dead end, but that would take a lot more time.