Talk of The Villages Florida - View Single Post - Upcoming Changes to all Gates in The Villages
View Single Post
 
Old 11-19-2010, 07:43 PM
bike42's Avatar
bike42 bike42 is offline
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2008
Posts: 464
Thanks: 0
Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Talk Host View Post
When that gate is down, it signals to those who are waiting to cross that it is safe to cross.
It would be crazy to count on a closed gate to signal that it is OK to cross the road. On a bicycle, we use both the multi-modal paths and the roads. We ALWAYS look to see if any cars/trucks are approaching the card reader. It takes only seconds for a gate to be activated and then the cars/trucks charge through. A closed gate offers no protection whatever to carts/bikes/pedestrians crossing the road, no matter what its length.

This new explanation that the longer gates are for the safety of multi-modal path traffic makes no sense. Are they are going to add stop signs, stop lights, crossing signals or a person directing traffic to let everyone know who has the right of way? And what's the explanation for longer gates on the exits (which come after the paths?)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Talk Host View Post
I don't understand the need to go around the gate rather than waiting for it to lift. It takes all of 5 seconds.
We have no problem with stopping. We do have a problem with starting up again fast enough to get through the gate before it closes. Six seconds may be enough for a motorcycle, but it is not enough for a bike or group of bikes.
We need a space to get by the gate as it closes on us.

Last edited by bike42; 11-19-2010 at 08:38 PM.