Talk of The Villages Florida - View Single Post - Bikes on the walking trail ?
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Old 06-14-2023, 05:35 PM
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Velvet Velvet is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Maker View Post
Expecting to silently zip past is dangerous, unsafe, and reckless. That's a problem.
If ringing your bike bell startles someone, and causes a movement that places both people in a collision situation, you need to change your style. Ring the bell several times, starting a lot further away. Give walkers time to react and be in a safe spot. Give yourself time to slow down or stop.

A bike rider who fails to warn a pedestrian, and then collides with them causing injuries, will find themselves on the receiving end of a huge lawsuit.
In court, which defense is better... I rang my bell several times and that person looked right at me and saw me coming. I slowed almost to a stop because their dog was jumping in the way. Their dog pulled them to the ground and I stopped before any contact was made with them. (OR) I think it's safer to give pedestrians no warning. I ride so fast that they never know I was coming. This time, I never expected them to move when their dog wandered to the left. I had no time to react and I'm so sorry. They should have stayed in their lane and the dog is at fault.
When I ride anything two wheels I know that dogs don’t like it. I stay well away from them. It is next to I possible to get a dog used to being startled.