Talk of The Villages Florida - View Single Post - Multi Modal Path Usage - other than golf carts.
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Old 02-19-2024, 08:33 AM
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Here's the bottom line on MMPs as I see it:

The only time any issue can arise is when a faster entity wants to pass a slower entity. This is a natural consequence of mixing golf carts and e-bikes that are doing 20 (+), bicycles that are riding anywhere from 5-20, and pedestrians at 3-4.

Since these are narrow 2 "lane" paths, a faster entity will often encounter a slower one. There is nothing wrong with passing the slower entity SAFELY. This means pass on a straight section with good visibility of oncoming traffic, giving enough room, and not passing when approaching a blind curve. It is also incumbent upon the entity getting passed not to speed up or doing anything else to impede the passing vehicle. All too often there are "parade leaders" that want to be first at 15 mph but don't want to be passed. We see it all the time on roads with cart lanes as a cart will speed through a stop sign cutting off an approaching cart and then lollygag at 14 mph. It is also incumbent on pedestrians to walk single file when getting passed, although ideally they should walk facing traffic. And cyclists need to move to the right side of the path rather than trying to dictate where and when they will "allow" a faster vehicle to pass---they are not traffic cops, no matter what they think.

But finally, and most importantly, IF IT IS NOT SAFE to pass, be patient, you will get an opportunity. Yes, you may lose 30 or 45 seconds, but save a life, possibly your own, in the process.