Golf Carts, Bicycles and MMP

[Blessed2BNTV]

This afternoon while hubby and I were riding our bikes on the MMP at Palmer, a guy in a golf cart went to pass us. He got about a foot from me. While I always pull to the right when a golf cart approaches, this guy was too darn close to me. There was no one coming the other way so he had plenty of space to move to the left.

On our trip back on Morse <close to Mallory>, another guy in a golf cart did the same thing by getting a foot from me.

Note to everyone out there.....the law states.....The driver of a vehicle overtaking a bicycle or electric personal mobility device proceeding in the same direction shall exercise due care, which shall include, but not be limited to, leaving a safe distance of no less than three feet clearance, when applicable, when passing a bicycle or electric personal ...

The majority of golf carts do give us the three feet. But for those few morons out, slow down and stay away from bikes and people walking....we all share the MMPs.

[kcrazorbackfan]

Oboy, here we go again.

I always give cyclists as wide a berth as I can and most of the time I'll get a wave or a thank you; I won't attempt to pass one where the mmp's have the landscaping islands in the middle unless the cyclist pulls over. Saw too much carnage in vehicle accidents I worked to be the cause of one.

[Blessed2BNTV]

Oboy, here we go again.

I always give cyclists as wide a berth as I can and most of the time I'll get a wave or a thank you; I won't attempt to pass one where the mmp's have the landscaping islands in the middle unless the cyclist pulls over. Saw too much carnage in vehicle accidents I worked to be the cause of one.

A big thank you to kcazororbackfan! Most folks do exactly what you do.

When we go through the areas with landscaping islands we do speed it up to 16-19 mph (we do have speedometer on our bike), and move to the middle of path as to not allow a golf cart to pass us. Again we speed up as to not hold anyone up that is behind us.

As cyclists we try our best to be safe, wear bright clothes, have flashing bike lights on front and back. We just ask that we are given the necessary space the law allows to pass us.

The reason I post this is for us all to be SAFE out there and to maybe, just maybe, alert the few folks that are in a constant rush out there to slow down and think your actions could cause harm to others.

[VApeople]

This afternoon while hubby and I were riding our bikes on the MMP at Palmer, a guy in a golf cart went to pass us. He got about a foot from me. While I always pull to the right when a golf cart approaches, this guy was too darn close to me. There was no one coming the other way so he had plenty of space to move to the left.

On our trip back on Morse <close to Mallory>, another guy in a golf cart did the same thing by getting a foot from me.


Now that you know how inconsiderate some people are in their golf carts, are you going to keep riding your bike on the MMPs

[ColdNoMore]

I see it all of the time, some golf cart drivers think the MMP's exist only to provide them a high-speed motorway to where they're going. :ohdear:

They think that anything that might require them to slow down, or heaven forbid stop...shouldn't be allowed.

I've had carts behind me honk, when I slow down to follow a slow cyclist/walker until such time as it is safe to go around them...while giving them a wide berth.

You will never convince some of these jerks what 'MMP'...actually stands for. :oops:

Even when you tell them it is an acronym for 'Multi-Modal Path,' they aren't smart enough to understand...the 'Multi-Modal' part.

[Blessed2BNTV]

Now that you know how inconsiderate some people are in their golf carts, are you going to keep riding your bike on the MMPs

Yep.....don't stop driving a car because of auto accidents, don't stop swimming because of drownings, etc....you get my drift.

I could just stay in my house because of inconsiderate folks, but I'm not.

While I am not a risk taker, no skydiving in my foreseeable future, I am not going to dictate my life by the stupidity of others.

What I am doing is biking smart. I have a safety ritual I go through before I ride. Again I can't change the behaviors of others, just control what I can do.

The reason why I posted this information is so maybe the folks that are guilty of passing too close to bikers or walkers would realize that the law states to stay 3 feet away.

I welcome other folks for thier opinion of biking or walking smart on MMPs.

[graciegirl]

Yep.....don't stop driving a car because of auto accidents, don't stop swimming because of drownings, etc....you get my drift.

I could just stay in my house because of inconsiderate folks, but I'm not.

While I am not a risk taker, no skydiving in my foreseeable future, I am not going to dictate my life by the stupidity of others.

What I am doing is biking smart. I have a safety ritual I go through before I ride. Again I can't change the behaviors of others, just control what I can do.

The reason why I posted this information is so maybe the folks that are guilty of passing too close to bikers or walkers would realize that the law states to stay 3 feet away.

I welcome other folks for thier opinion of biking or walking smart on MMPs.

Where is the like button? You are a good person. xoxo

[autumnspring]

Yep.....don't stop driving a car because of auto accidents, don't stop swimming because of drownings, etc....you get my drift.

I could just stay in my house because of inconsiderate folks, but I'm not.

While I am not a risk taker, no skydiving in my foreseeable future, I am not going to dictate my life by the stupidity of others.

What I am doing is biking smart. I have a safety ritual I go through before I ride. Again I can't change the behaviors of others, just control what I can do.

The reason why I posted this information is so maybe the folks that are guilty of passing too close to bikers or walkers would realize that the law states to stay 3 feet away.

I welcome other folks for thier opinion of biking or walking smart on MMPs.

When my dad taught me to drive, he said,"Expect the other person to do the stupidest possible thing, because that is exactly what they are going to do."

You know from your experience that you have no way to tell who or what is driving a car or a golf cart. You know or should know even if the driver is breaking the law, if they hit you or you hit them, it is you that will get the worst part of it.

[pauld315]

So, is the proper protocol for a walker on an MMP to walk facing traffic like it is on a regular road ?

[Blessed2BNTV]

When my dad taught me to drive, he said,"Expect the other person to do the stupidest possible thing, because that is exactly what they are going to do."

You know from your experience that you have no way to tell who or what is driving a car or a golf cart. You know or should know even if the driver is breaking the law, if they hit you or you hit them, it is you that will get the worst part of it.

Yes it would be me that would get the worst of it if I was hit. Are you suggesting we don't bike on the MMP? Would welcome your response.

[rubicon]

Blame it on those who planned, designed, and built the MMP's . Converging golf carts, bicycles, walkers all on the same path increases the risk of an accident. I'll let the experts give it the % of increase to risk

[kansasr]

Blame it on those who planned, designed, and built the MMP's . Converging golf carts, bicycles, walkers all on the same path increases the risk of an accident. I'll let the experts give it the % of increase to risk

I do have to say that they have gotten "skimpier" with the MMPs the further south you go. Where there are islands in the middle of the MMP, they have become so narrow on either side that it really isn't safe for a golf cart to try and pass a bicycle.

Like the previous poster, I try and pick up my speed in these areas so I don't keep from slowing down traffic too much and I say thank you to drivers who realize we are both caught between a rock and a hard place because of poor planning and design.

[autumnspring]

Yes it would be me that would get the worst of it if I was hit. Are you suggesting we don't bike on the MMP? Would welcome your response.

YOU ASKED FOR A REPLY SO-

I ride a bike, drive a golf cart and drive a car.

As I had said, my dad taught me to to drive. Perhaps, a code of life. Expect people to do the stupidest possible thing because that is exactly what they are going to do.

You mentioned in your many posts that you do 20 mph on your bike. You mention people cutting too close to you.
You need to realize that not all drivers are good. Not all of them know or care about the law or your rights. They do not realize YOU are moving at 20 mph. I assume you drive as well. It is far more difficult to judge the speed of a bike then another car or a golf cart.

I personally give bike riders plenty of room. The bike riders
are not all without blame-EITHER. We've all seen them ridding side by side on the multi use roads. We've seen them on recumbent bikes with no flag.

As I've already said-expect them to do the stupidest possilbe thing because that is exactly what they will do.

AS I SAID-IF YOU HIT A CAR OR THE CAR HITS YOU, YOU WILL LIKELY SUFFER MORE DAMAGE. AN ACCIDENT RARELY EXISTS-STUPIDS ARE FAR MORE COMMON

[autumnspring]

I do have to say that they have gotten "skimpier" with the MMPs the further south you go. Where there are islands in the middle of the MMP, they have become so narrow on either side that it really isn't safe for a golf cart to try and pass a bicycle.

Like the previous poster, I try and pick up my speed in these areas so I don't keep from slowing down traffic too much and I say thank you to drivers who realize we are both caught between a rock and a hard place because of poor planning and design.

You are aware of the road. You are aware of other people in the world.

I for one am glad the snow birds are gone.

For bike riders and walkers the tunnels are particularly dangerous. The lighting is not great and there is no room to safely swing around you. I've seen too many people doing this in dark clothes-totally unaware

[Bosoxfan]

This afternoon while hubby and I were riding our bikes on the MMP at Palmer, a guy in a golf cart went to pass us. He got about a foot from me. While I always pull to the right when a golf cart approaches, this guy was too darn close to me. There was no one coming the other way so he had plenty of space to move to the left.

On our trip back on Morse <close to Mallory>, another guy in a golf cart did the same thing by getting a foot from me.

Note to everyone out there.....the law states.....The driver of a vehicle overtaking a bicycle or electric personal mobility device proceeding in the same direction shall exercise due care, which shall include, but not be limited to, leaving a safe distance of no less than three feet clearance, when applicable, when passing a bicycle or electric personal ...

The majority of golf carts do give us the three feet. But for those few morons out, slow down and stay away from bikes and people walking....we all share the MMPs.

This is why I don't ( well rarely ) ride on the mmp's . I find the roads to be safer. My most common ride is Pinellas pl to moyer loop to Hillsborough to Hendry to Pinellas and back...that's about 11 miles and mostly on the diamond lanes...I do also ride Morse & Buena Vista where I take over the right lane where people can pass on the left with no problems.

[Bogie Shooter]

So, is the proper protocol for a walker on an MMP to walk facing traffic like it is on a regular road ?

Were we all not taught to "walk on the left facing traffic" in kindergarten?

[Bogie Shooter]

You are aware of the road. You are aware of other people in the world.

I for one am glad the snow birds are gone.

For bike riders and walkers the tunnels are particularly dangerous. The lighting is not great and there is no room to safely swing around you. I've seen too many people doing this in dark clothes-totally unaware

What does this have to do with the topic?

[justjim]

Were we all not taught to "walk on the left facing traffic" in kindergarten?

I have encountered a number of walkers who apparently didn't learn to walk facing traffic and they are often wearing dark clothing.

[BogeyBoy]

I have encountered a number of walkers who apparently didn't learn to walk facing traffic and they are often wearing dark clothing.

Well, you can't fix stupid.

[capecoralbill]

Blame it on those who planned, designed, and built the MMP's . Converging golf carts, bicycles, walkers all on the same path increases the risk of an accident. I'll let the experts give it the % of increase to risk

I'm surprised Morgan and Morgan don't own this place, they will be my first phone call. This place is an accident waiting to happen.

[Barefoot]

I for one am glad the snow birds are gone.
That is a strange comment on this Thread.
Obviously bad behavior on MMPs can't be blamed on snowbirds! :ohdear:

[TheDude]

Thank you for this thread so I can SET EVERYONE STRAIGHT.
Who has the right of way:
The answer is no one! The law only says who must yield (give up) the right-of-way. Every driver, motorcyclist, moped rider, bicyclist and pedestrian must do everything possible to avoid a crash. You must yield the right-of-way to all other traffic and pedestrians at stop signs.

Its chapter 3 of the Florida Driver's handbook.

So, if people have a bike with mirrors, etc, and see a problem, get off the road and stop. Stand you ground and you end up in the ER, and then go to court and lose because you can't prove you did everything possible to get out of the way, well, some of us may have the money and healthcare for the loss, but many don't. For me, I don't want new knees.

Just use common sense. You don't know if the people in the carts just had a mini stroke. Protect yourself.

So, haters hate. But that is the Florida Law.

[TheDude]

I want to add, I have yet seen a bicyclist stop at a path stop sign? Are you better than everyone else? Is there a law that people on bike's do not need to stop. Don't believe me, when you all drive in your carts, watch the bicyclist. Really, I have NEVER seen one stop.

[Polar Bear]

I want to add, I have yet seen a bicyclist stop at a path stop sign? Are you better than everyone else? Is there a law that people on bike's do not need to stop. Don't believe me, when you all drive in your carts, watch the bicyclist. Really, I have NEVER seen one stop.
Yep. Cyclists in their toe clips and all are typically careful but rarely stop.

Of course this touches on a pet peeve of mine...how many golf carts do you see stop at the path stop signs? Not just slow down but come to a complete stop? I'd say about the same as the number of cars that fully stop at street stop signs. Almost none. So unless it's done with reckless disregard for safety, imho it's not a big deal.

[TheDude]

Yep. Cyclists in their toe clips and all are typically careful but rarely stop.

Of course this touches on a pet peeve of mine...how many golf carts do you see stop at the path stop signs? Not just slow down but come to a complete stop? I'd say about the same as the number of cars that fully stop at street stop signs. Almost none. So unless it's done with reckless disregard for safety, imho it's not a big deal.

It may be true, but speaking for me, I make it a point to stop completely. If you saw me, you would see I also look left then right before processing. So, almost none, maybe, but me... 100% of the time. I'm the person who usually slows down and waves at people on bikes and walkers also. We are in TV, happiest place on Earth (or is that Disney?).

[cquick]

This afternoon while hubby and I were riding our bikes on the MMP at Palmer, a guy in a golf cart went to pass us. He got about a foot from me.


My husband walks on the path from Hillsborough to the fire station on Buena Vista. He walks facing the traffic. He has told me there is one man on a golf cart who is also on the path who actually drives toward him. He says it's happened several times.

I don't understand why anyone would purposely try to intimidate someone walking. ??????????

[cquick]

Blame it on those who planned, designed, and built the MMP's . Converging golf carts, bicycles, walkers all on the same path increases the risk of an accident. I'll let the experts give it the % of increase to risk

well, I am glad we have them. Notice how dangerous it is to bike, walk, or drive a golf cart going north of 466 along Morse Blvd. No consideration for people.

[pauld315]

My husband walks on the path from Hillsborough to the fire station on Buena Vista. He walks facing the traffic. He has told me there is one man on a golf cart who is also on the path who actually drives toward him. He says it's happened several times.

I don't understand why anyone would purposely try to intimidate someone walking. ??????????

Some people are just asses. I walk a lot and have seen it all. I guarantee you though this guy wouldn't do it more than once to me.

[VApeople]

how many golf carts do you see stop at the path stop signs?

Since we do not have a golf cart, I have no idea how many carts stop at the stop signs along the MMPs.

However, when the cart path crosses the roads where I drive, like at the gates or when I turn into the Sarasota parking lot, the cart drivers stop every single time.

[Polar Bear]

Since we do not have a golf cart, I have no idea how many carts stop at the stop signs along the MMPs.

However, when the cart path crosses the roads where I drive, like at the gates or when I turn into the Sarasota parking lot, the cart drivers stop every single time.
100% stop? Not just a slow-down to a near-stop? Every single time?

With all due respect, I have my doubts.

[golfing eagles]

My husband walks on the path from Hillsborough to the fire station on Buena Vista. He walks facing the traffic. He has told me there is one man on a golf cart who is also on the path who actually drives toward him. He says it's happened several times.

I don't understand why anyone would purposely try to intimidate someone walking. ??????????

Isn't EVERY cart heading the opposite direction on the MMP driving towards him????

[ColdNoMore]

My husband walks on the path from Hillsborough to the fire station on Buena Vista. He walks facing the traffic. He has told me there is one man on a golf cart who is also on the path who actually drives toward him. He says it's happened several times.

I don't understand why anyone would purposely try to intimidate someone walking. ??????????

Raw eggs in pockets.

[VApeople]

100% stop? Not just a slow-down to a near-stop? Every single time?

With all due respect, I have my doubts.

Yes, they come to a complete stop every single time. Otherwise, I would have hit them, because I do not stop to let carts go by.

Just an hour ago, a cart was coming to the gate at Osceola Hills. He got to the the point where the cart path crosses the road before I did, but he saw me coming, so he came to a complete stop to let me go by. Even though I drive a small car, I guess he did not want to be hit.