BIKES AND MORE BIKES

[santiagobob]

:cop: Every day I see and some times have to avoid bikers who do not stop at STOP signs. I have even witnessed on more than one occasion biker's peddling right thru a red traffic light. Biker's seem to believe that they have equal rights on the roads with autos,golf carts,trucks and motorcycles but none of the responsibilities to obey basic traffic laws.
Recently I was on a major street in my cart and as I approached a side street with a full Stop sign, a large group of bikers started to turn on to the main street that I was traveling on and the first few turned just in front of me but the following bikers had to come to almost a full stop as I was passing the junction. I received several unfriendly shouts of 4 letter words and the familiar one finger salute. I'm sorry if I happen to be in the way when you want to violate traffic rules but if you don't feel that they apply to you, park your bike.
I actually asked a neighbor who is a frequent bike rider why bikers don't stop at stop signs and some times traffic lights. He responded that bikers do not want to loose momentum but prefer to keep up their speed. He added that the law enforcement people will never give a biker a ticket so why stop.They will give a ticket to a golf cart that goes over 20 miles/hour, but ignore a biker going thru a full stop sign at 10-15 mph.I don't get it,do you????

[blueeagle65]

I agree with you - they want all the rights and none of the responsibility. I have seen cyclists actually stopped at red lights and stop signs, but they are few and far between. They fall in to the same group with golf cart operators that don't feel as though the law applies to them with regard to stop lights or stop signs. Maybe if John Law would issue some citations and put their names in the paper it would help. :cop:

[redwitch]

I used to be an avid bike rider. Oddly, I did stop at stop signs, etc. It was a matter of safety. Momentum can be regained. I'm going to lose in collisions with most other moving objects. So, common sense says I stop. I have been pulled over for speeding. Sorry, my bike doesn't have a speedometer and when I'm keeping up with traffic, I have no clue I'm speeding if the cars around me are, too.

Bike riders wonder why they are disliked by motorists. Gee, do you think it could be because so many think they are above the law? Many seem to think they have two sets of rules they can choose from -- vehicular and pedestrian. Reality is they are supposed to follow vehicular laws.

I'm sorry these riders were so rude to you. They owe you a huge apology. They also need to have their head banged on for lack of common sense.

[colleenj]

Unfortunately, there are rude and not very smart people in very sport. I ride my bike every morning while in the Villages and I obey the traffic rules (full stops, etc). I would rather lose momentum than my life. I ride by myself and maybe this is why- I prefer not to ride with those who take stupid chances with their own life and mine.

[Shirleevee]

My husband, (Sailor) is in TV, and has voiced his concern about bike riders not complying with the rules of the road. He asked me to bring up the subject here and it slipped my mind. So glad for this thread and wondering if there is anything we can do to remedy this situation.
Who do we voice our concerns too?

Shirleevee

[Talk Host]

I have voiced the exact same concern in the past. They are very intimidating when they travel in large packs. Frequently there is a large group that "speeds" through our street, "Arlington Loop." They seem to have little or not concern for walkers, drivers or other bikers. Stop signs seem to mean nothing to them. I hate to think its "mob" mentality, but one tends to lean that way when you witness their behavior.

My wife and I would love to join a bike club, but we won't operate the way these people do.

[travelstiles]

One solution might be having paths that are available only for bikers and walkers/joggers. I can understand the bikers wanting to maintain momentum, but that's pretty near impossible in traffic.
I would like to purchase a bike and ride, but haven't yet because there really isn't a place to ride safely. Between all the cars and golf carts, the roads in TV are not conducive to walking, jogging or biking.

[nducette]

I still live in NH, but own a Villa in TV. I agree about bikers and I think it is nation wide.. In NH they are absolutely impossible!!!. For some reason they think they own the road. :cop:

What really gets my dander up is when they ride on a narrow road where I CAN NOT pull around them due to on coming traffic. I can never understand why they don't ride on country roads here?? In stead..they ride on a major route where the speed limit is 45 MPH.

I'm sure they are not all like this in TV but the ones that don't stop or obey the law need a wake-up CALL.... :agree:

[serenityseeker]

I have to say that I am a little surprised at the broad brush of negativism that is being applied to cyclists here. Of course there are those that don't obey all traffic laws and they are not to be excused, but how is this different from the MULTITUDE of golf carts that speed, perform rolling stops, go on the road instead of paths, are operated under the influence, or the cars that speed at least 10 mile an hour over the speed limit every single day in the villages?
I am an avid cyclist and we do have the same rights on the road as any other vehicle, and yes that includes the responsibilities too. But I can safely say that as a group, I doubt cyclists are worse offenders than the general population and the above examples. I go out of my way to watch for cyclists, motorcyclists and others that share the road with me. I admire those that are working to be healthy and conserve resources. I will not condone the attitude of those that are furious because the may have to wait an extra 15 seconds to safely go around a vehicle that has the right to be on the road. I can not tell u the number of times that people have swiped close to me(even bumping me on 2 occasions) because they were impatient and or simply ignorant enough to assume they shouldn't have to legitimately share the road.
Seems to me it's pretty much like most things in life. A little understanding goes a long way, and usually the truth about things is somewhere in the middle of the extreme perceptions. Patience, tolerance and responsibility works on both ends of most issues.

[ohiogolf]

Serenity, thank you for an excellent posting. The two bike clubs in TV stress safety and following the rules of the road at each their monthly meetings, on their web pages and before each ride. I remember the Talk Host's excellent video of the cars that never even slow down to stop at a posted stop sign(with the funny road runner song playing). Their action is a violation of road laws but does not allow for conclusions that all drivers are violating the law. The same is true with the bikers. Bikers and drivers can easily share the roadways and act safely and considerately for each other.

[serenityseeker]

Thanx OG,

is there a link to the bike clubs? I usually ride solo but would like to hook up with a group when I am down(not full timer yet) once in a while.

[ohiogolf]

Here is the link for the Sumter Landing bike club. I has rides three mornings a week for riders of all different abilities.

http://sumterlandingbicycleclub.org/

Please note that the web page stresses riding safety and contains numerous items on the same.

It is a great group and I look forward to riding with them again when I return in November.

[downeaster]

santiagobob said "I actually asked a neighbor who is a frequent bike rider why bikers don't stop at stop signs and some times traffic lights. He responded that bikers do not want to loose momentum but prefer to keep up their speed."
Let's apply that logic to automobiles. We all would like to keep up momentum to save gas so let's alll ignore stop signs and red lights!!!!
BTW, if bikers value the exercise, they should want to lose momentum frequently as they will get to use those muscles more. Also, instead of those expensive bikes that reduce resestance maybe they should consider a department store special that will challenge their muscles.
Enough sarcasm. In my experience I have found some bikers with an "attitude" and others very polite. Just like the general public.
As to golf cart drivers, I find the vast majority are very considerate of walkers.

DC

[redwitch]

I do believe that the majority of bike riders follow the laws. However, they are not as noticeable as the rule breakers. They cause more problems, are more hazardous and more likely to cause evasive maneuvers by those sharng the road with them. That means they are remembered and those who are just riding, following the rules are forgotten.

[Russ_Boston]

Between all the cars and golf carts, the roads in TV are not conducive to walking, jogging or biking.

I walked or (light) jogged every day when there for my preview visit. I never encountered any problems. Was it my area (Largo,up Canal st. and back to Largo) that made it that way or was it just luck or timing? (we were there in late April). I literally saw hundreds of people walking, jogging or on bikes. Other than the large camber on the sides of the neighborhood roads the streets seem perfect for these activities. There is a sidewalk all the way up Canal St. from Bonita to Stillwater (just short of LSL) that is excellent for walking or jogging.

I scratch my head when I read blanket statements like you made. Do YOU have issues with the roads in TV when you walk, run or bike? If so would you mind being more specific as to location so that I can make sure to avoid these areas? Are you only talking about the main roads like Morse, BV etc? Thanks.

I'd like to hear from more walkers, joggers and bikers on this subject. I'm not saying that you are incorrect but my own eyes (and feet) told me a different story.

Russ

[rshoffer]

I've also noticed in my village how golf carts ,likewise, often go sailing right through stop signs.

[Best Mom]

Russ,
I totally agree with Travel. I have lived in the villages for 4 years. During the high season I just put my bike away. It is just two dangerous. I have seen many terrible accidents involving bikes and golf carts or bikes and cars.
I will ride a short distance early in the morning or late at night, once the snowbirds are gone. I am not being negative or making a broad statement. I am just stating the reality of what I find in my area. I am a bike rider who has lived in this area for a much longer time than a preview visit.

And yes rshoffer, many golf carts go sailing by stop signs.

They don't report many of the the golf cart ot bike accidents in the Sun newspaper.

Yes Russ , the area you were in on your preview visit would be one of the best for not much traffic. I live between all shops, restaurants, and Doctors offices on 466.(including the new Walmart) on one side and Lake Sumter Town Center on the other side. I like the location for convience but there is alot of golf cart traffic and car traffic.

As I said before, this development is very big. That means some places have alot more traffic. The busiest months are Jan. Feb. and March.

But I still love it here.