Quote:
Originally Posted by Cooperthecat
I have a GoPro mounted under my handlebars. If I get struck by a careless driver I hope the video proves who was at fault. I ride as far to the right as I can and when someone wants to pass me I slow down when it's safe to pass me. I had a line of 10 golf carts passing me along Meggison rd coming from Southern Oaks one day. The 4th cart passed me at a road crossing with the white post divider at the end of the trail. He squeezed past me pushing me off the trail so he could avoid hitting the post and to stay with his buddies. He didn't stop at the stop sign either. Lucky for him he didn't crash into me or he would be financially responsible for the damages.
A lot of cyclists are using cameras specifically for bicycles and video evidence is hard to beat in court.
It's not hard to believe that most people act in a courteous manner and share the paths respectful of each others safety. The few that don't are heading for trouble.
Golf carts have the same problem with cars respecting their rights and safety. I've had a car cut in front of me making a turn into a mailbox parking lot. I had to slam on my brakes to avoid an accident. I followed them into the parking lot expecting an apology. They instead told me they have the right away over golf carts and that I was supposed to stop for them to make the turn. The passenger was a "Karen" and said I was harassing her as she walked 20 feet towards my cart. She proceeded to call 911. When the police arrived they told her that her and her husband were wrong in their understanding of the law. I have the video of this discussion because I knew it would be hard to believe.
Cars also believe that golf carts are not allowed to merge at the end of a diamond lane. I had a car speed up and slam the brakes on behind me after I merged. He blew his horn and rode my bumper for the 50 ft I had before my turn into the cart path.
Eventually these close calls get someone seriously hurt or worse. That's when they realize the error in their thinking or the lack of respect for others.
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Good post---I hope it at least dispels some misconceptions that seem prevalent in The Villages. Cars do not
always have the right of way over cars or bikes, it is dependent upon the situation. Likewise, if a cart and bike get into an accident, the cart driver is
not automatically at fault.
Similar to you story, I was in cart headed east on Hillsborough approaching the Dunedin Pool. A car turned out of the side street right in front of me so that my cart skidded after hitting the brakes. As I resumed to return to normal speed, she then cut me off again to turn into the mailboxes. So I followed her in to have a few words, and she claimed "I didn't see you". I suggested she needs to see an eye doctor, to which she replied "I'm on my way there now"
(True story about a month ago)