Do golf carts have horns?

[dhdallas]

In the past couple of days I have ridden my bicycle over 70 miles on the multi-modal trails. Only one cart driver had the common courtesy to beep their horn so I would know to keep right and let them pass. All the others (and I mean at least 100 carts or more) just whizzed by without a sound. With a helmet on and the wind noise I cannot hear even a gas cart until it is almost on top of me. I always ring my bike bell when approaching walkers or slower bikes & beep my horn if in my cart. Many golfers seem to think the multi-modal paths were built just for them...wrong. Let's share the road and be courteous & safe - use your horn before passing.

As an aside, I watched a cart almost roll over today on the path between Bradford & Chitty Chatty. The male driver took a curve too fast & I watched as his right rear wheel lifted several inches off the path. I cannot believe the speeds at which cart drivers take curves. In particular, the aluminum chassis electric carts running lithium ion batteries (like mine) are extremely lightweight compared to their gas counterparts and much easier to roll. Use a little common sense and live to a ripe old age!

[Kahuna32162]

What a novel thought, common curtesy.

[Bilyclub]

I've seen many posts from bicyclist complaining that a horn blast startles them.

[Laker14]

In the past couple of days I have ridden my bicycle over 70 miles on the multi-modal trails. Only one cart driver had the common courtesy to beep their horn so I would know to keep right and let them pass. All the others (and I mean at least 100 carts or more) just whizzed by without a sound. With a helmet on and the wind noise I cannot hear even a gas cart until it is almost on top of me. I always ring my bike bell when approaching walkers or slower bikes & beep my horn if in my cart. Many golfers seem to think the multi-modal paths were built just for them...wrong. Let's share the road and be courteous & safe - use your horn before passing.

As an aside, I watched a cart almost roll over today on the path between Bradford & Chitty Chatty. The male driver took a curve too fast & I watched as his right rear wheel lifted several inches off the path. I cannot believe the speeds at which cart drivers take curves. In particular, the aluminum chassis electric carts running lithium ion batteries (like mine) are extremely lightweight compared to their gas counterparts and much easier to roll. Use a little common sense and live to a ripe old age!

if every cart passing every bike tooted its horn, the noise would be constant, and irritating. What you need to do is buy, then use, a sideview mirror. I don't ride anymore, but I once did, and I interpreted car horns not as a polite "here I am, don't let me startle you" but rather as a "MOVE OVER!!! GET OUT OF MY WAY!!!"... so, no, I'm not beeping for you. I'll give you your space and pass when it's safe, but it's up to you to know who is behind you.

[Mortal1]

if every cart passing every bike tooted its horn, the noise would be constant, and irritating. What you need to do is buy, then use, a sideview mirror. I don't ride anymore, but I once did, and I interpreted car horns not as a polite "here I am, don't let me startle you" but rather as a "MOVE OVER!!! GET OUT OF MY WAY!!!"... so, no, I'm not beeping for you. I'll give you your space and pass when it's safe, but it's up to you to know who is behind you.

for horn usage and there is a way to tell the difference...of course with many seniors they no longer possess the ability to use common sense.

[MartinSE]

///

[Laker14]

for horn usage and there is a way to tell the difference...of course with many seniors they no longer possess the ability to use common sense.

I don't want to hear a steady din of horn honking. Ever been to Manhattan?
it's noisy enough in TV.
The OP said that with his helmet and wind noise, he can't hear a gas cart. How loud and long does a cart horn have to blow to be heard over that?

Nope, that's why bicyclists wear, or mount on the bars, sideview mirrors.

[Happydaz]

As an enthusiastic bicyclist who rides over 4000 miles a year I would not want golf carters honking the horn every time they go to pass me. I have a rear mirror on my bike and it is my responsibility to not only look at the road ahead but to also continually scan my rear mirror to see if any golf carts or cars are overtaking me. I have a rear flashing light as well as a flashing headlight, but to me a rear mirror is also absolutely necessary. No honking please! It is the bicyclist’s responsibility to know when he is being passed.

[MSchad]

As an aside, I watched a cart almost roll over today on the path between Bradford & Chitty Chatty. The male driver took a curve too fast & I watched as his right rear wheel lifted several inches off the path. I cannot believe the speeds at which cart drivers take curves. In particular, the aluminum chassis electric carts running lithium ion batteries (like mine) are extremely lightweight compared to their gas counterparts and much easier to roll. Use a little common sense and live to a ripe old age!
Most people forget these are golf carts. They think they bought a GO CART with a toggle switch for a gas pedal.

[MrFlorida]

I would think a horn blast would startle a biker, or pedestrian into jumping into harms way, not to mention complaints from the people that live along the cart paths.

[dewilson58]

I have a rear mirror on my bike and it is my responsibility to not only look at the road ahead but to also continually scan my rear mirror to see if any golf carts or cars are overtaking me.

Bingo!!!

[rustyp]

In the past couple of days I have ridden my bicycle over 70 miles on the multi-modal trails. Only one cart driver had the common courtesy to beep their horn so I would know to keep right and let them pass. All the others (and I mean at least 100 carts or more) just whizzed by without a sound. With a helmet on and the wind noise I cannot hear even a gas cart until it is almost on top of me. I always ring my bike bell when approaching walkers or slower bikes & beep my horn if in my cart. Many golfers seem to think the multi-modal paths were built just for them...wrong. Let's share the road and be courteous & safe - use your horn before passing.

As an aside, I watched a cart almost roll over today on the path between Bradford & Chitty Chatty. The male driver took a curve too fast & I watched as his right rear wheel lifted several inches off the path. I cannot believe the speeds at which cart drivers take curves. In particular, the aluminum chassis electric carts running lithium ion batteries (like mine) are extremely lightweight compared to their gas counterparts and much easier to roll. Use a little common sense and live to a ripe old age!

I would think a horn blast would startle a biker, or pedestrian into jumping into harms way, not to mention complaints from the people that live along the cart paths.

That's a classic lose / lose. Are you still beating your wife ?

[philnpat]

In the past couple of days I have ridden my bicycle over 70 miles on the multi-modal trails. Only one cart driver had the common courtesy to beep their horn so I would know to keep right and let them pass. All the others (and I mean at least 100 carts or more) just whizzed by without a sound. With a helmet on and the wind noise I cannot hear even a gas cart until it is almost on top of me. I always ring my bike bell when approaching walkers or slower bikes & beep my horn if in my cart. Many golfers seem to think the multi-modal paths were built just for them...wrong. Let's share the road and be courteous & safe - use your horn before passing.

As an aside, I watched a cart almost roll over today on the path between Bradford & Chitty Chatty. The male driver took a curve too fast & I watched as his right rear wheel lifted several inches off the path. I cannot believe the speeds at which cart drivers take curves. In particular, the aluminum chassis electric carts running lithium ion batteries (like mine) are extremely lightweight compared to their gas counterparts and much easier to roll. Use a little common sense and live to a ripe old age!
I used to give a couple of quick beeps when I was coming up on a bicyclist. Received many middle fingers and few waves. No more!

[Laker14]

As an enthusiastic bicyclist who rides over 4000 miles a year I would not want golf carters honking the horn every time they go to pass me. I have a rear mirror on my bike and it is my responsibility to not only look at the road ahead but to also continually scan my rear mirror to see if any golf carts or cars are overtaking me. I have a rear flashing light as well as a flashing headlight, but to me a rear mirror is also absolutely necessary. No honking please! It is the bicyclist’s responsibility to know when he is being passed.

Thank You! I couldn't have said it better myself!:clap2:

[Topspinmo]

In the past couple of days I have ridden my bicycle over 70 miles on the multi-modal trails. Only one cart driver had the common courtesy to beep their horn so I would know to keep right and let them pass. All the others (and I mean at least 100 carts or more) just whizzed by without a sound. With a helmet on and the wind noise I cannot hear even a gas cart until it is almost on top of me. I always ring my bike bell when approaching walkers or slower bikes & beep my horn if in my cart. Many golfers seem to think the multi-modal paths were built just for them...wrong. Let's share the road and be courteous & safe - use your horn before passing.

As an aside, I watched a cart almost roll over today on the path between Bradford & Chitty Chatty. The male driver took a curve too fast & I watched as his right rear wheel lifted several inches off the path. I cannot believe the speeds at which cart drivers take curves. In particular, the aluminum chassis electric carts running lithium ion batteries (like mine) are extremely lightweight compared to their gas counterparts and much easier to roll. Use a little common sense and live to a ripe old age!

When I beep my horn I usually get the one finger salute.. I wood think one shouldn’t be riding on center line? I know I wouldn’t.

[Garywt]

I have never heard of honking the horn as good or bad when passing. I just look over the area to see if it is safe to pass. I check for other carts, curves or islands before pulling over and passing. Most bikers see you coming. On that note though, I am sure some are not too careful or might be going too fast to make it safe.

[thevillages2013]

That's a classic lose / lose. Are you still beating your wife ?

Anyone understand this ? (I sure don’t)

[thevillages2013]

In the past couple of days I have ridden my bicycle over 70 miles on the multi-modal trails. Only one cart driver had the common courtesy to beep their horn so I would know to keep right and let them pass. All the others (and I mean at least 100 carts or more) just whizzed by without a sound. With a helmet on and the wind noise I cannot hear even a gas cart until it is almost on top of me. I always ring my bike bell when approaching walkers or slower bikes & beep my horn if in my cart. Many golfers seem to think the multi-modal paths were built just for them...wrong. Let's share the road and be courteous & safe - use your horn before passing.

As an aside, I watched a cart almost roll over today on the path between Bradford & Chitty Chatty. The male driver took a curve too fast & I watched as his right rear wheel lifted several inches off the path. I cannot believe the speeds at which cart drivers take curves. In particular, the aluminum chassis electric carts running lithium ion batteries (like mine) are extremely lightweight compared to their gas counterparts and much easier to roll. Use a little common sense and live to a ripe old age!

Try riding on Morse for awhile and when you go back to the multi modal paths those golf carts that whiz past you will seem really friendly

[Mhope]

I always slow down, move way over and wait til I have enough room to pass. I don’t beep because I’m new to the area and where I’m from that usually gets a finger and worse.

[rnbpoutney]

I ride a bicycle and I would Not want a horn blasting me as a cart was over taking me….. I would like them to please slow down and move over when passing me walking or riding. When riding I used to move to the side to let the golf carts pass me. Now I let the carts catch me, slow down then I will move over.. just use common sense when passing a cyclist or walker…..Slow Down. We all use the paths we all need to respect other users,

[CharlesNT]

Anyone understand this ? (I sure don’t)
The no-win scenario, Question: Are you still beating your wife?

Answer yes, you are a wife beater...

Answer no, well you used to be a wife beater, when did you stop beating her?


As for the original post, the consensus seems to be to not blow your horn. My experience is that 99% of cyclists know we are coming and pull over to be passed. The other 1%, I can flip the complaint, seem to think the paths are only for bikes and refuse to pull over to let anybody safely pass.

[mydavid]

Most people forget these are golf carts. They think they bought a GO CART with a toggle switch for a gas pedal. I agree that there many golfers here in TV, but face it, being able to go almost any place in your cart is one of the biggest draws to the TV life style.:MOJE_whot:

[banjobob]

Good advice but being an old bike rider I was always looking in my mirrors to see behind me ,being aware of what was all around me. All bike riders and cart drivers would do well to take that advice , so many times cart drivers are only focused on what’s ahead of them.

[richs631]

Well with all due respect the last time a gave bike rider a short horn while passing him he flipped me the bird and said I see you

[mkjelenbaas]

As to the question of horns - what did they say when you called the Villages Golf Cart sales?

[bdw08]

Golf cart horn is very loud and startling. Had a person in a golf cart behind me in a tunnel lay on the horn I think to demonstrate the echo to her grandkid.

[cphague]

So if you were on a road with cars and trucks, would you expect them to blow their horn every time they passed you? Some of those vehicles are very quiet these days.

As was stated, you have a responsibility to ride safely and be aware of your surroundings. Others have the same responsibility, but that doesn't mean having to blow their horn just in case all the time someone is riding a bike.

After a while, the constant horn blowing would lose meaning and fade into background noise anyway.

[jrandall]

In the past couple of days I have ridden my bicycle over 70 miles on the multi-modal trails. Only one cart driver had the common courtesy to beep their horn so I would know to keep right and let them pass. All the others (and I mean at least 100 carts or more) just whizzed by without a sound. With a helmet on and the wind noise I cannot hear even a gas cart until it is almost on top of me. I always ring my bike bell when approaching walkers or slower bikes & beep my horn if in my cart. Many golfers seem to think the multi-modal paths were built just for them...wrong. Let's share the road and be courteous & safe - use your horn before passing.

As an aside, I watched a cart almost roll over today on the path between Bradford & Chitty Chatty. The male driver took a curve too fast & I watched as his right rear wheel lifted several inches off the path. I cannot believe the speeds at which cart drivers take curves. In particular, the aluminum chassis electric carts running lithium ion batteries (like mine) are extremely lightweight compared to their gas counterparts and much easier to roll. Use a little common sense and live to a ripe old age!



I wouldn’t beep at a cyclist when I am coming from behind because I don’t want them to think I am being rude or impatient. I just slow down until there is appropriate room to pass.

[nn0wheremann]

In the past couple of days I have ridden my bicycle over 70 miles on the multi-modal trails. Only one cart driver had the common courtesy to beep their horn so I would know to keep right and let them pass. All the others (and I mean at least 100 carts or more) just whizzed by without a sound. With a helmet on and the wind noise I cannot hear even a gas cart until it is almost on top of me. I always ring my bike bell when approaching walkers or slower bikes & beep my horn if in my cart. Many golfers seem to think the multi-modal paths were built just for them...wrong. Let's share the road and be courteous & safe - use your horn before passing.

As an aside, I watched a cart almost roll over today on the path between Bradford & Chitty Chatty. The male driver took a curve too fast & I watched as his right rear wheel lifted several inches off the path. I cannot believe the speeds at which cart drivers take curves. In particular, the aluminum chassis electric carts running lithium ion batteries (like mine) are extremely lightweight compared to their gas counterparts and much easier to roll. Use a little common sense and live to a ripe old age!
So far as I can see, ther is no legal requirement, nor official guidance about horn honking when passing a bicyclist. Florida law specifies a three foot lateral distance. < https://www.flhsmv.gov/safety-center/child-safety/bicycle-pedestrian-safety/#:~:text=Drivers%20MUST%20give%20bicyclists%20a,yo u%20see%20a%20bicyclist%20approaching.>

I don’t use the horn because I do not want to startle or upset the bicyclist. That could be dangerous.

[Guitarman1951]

I hadn't beeped as I came up to a cyclist before thinking it might startle them. Knowing what have said here, I'll start doing that.

[Laker14]

I hadn't beeped as I came up to a cyclist before thinking it might startle them. Knowing what have said here, I'll start doing that.

WHAT??? Have you read ALL of the posts?

Or did I miss the sarcasm sign again?

[DonH57]

In the past couple of days I have ridden my bicycle over 70 miles on the multi-modal trails. Only one cart driver had the common courtesy to beep their horn so I would know to keep right and let them pass. All the others (and I mean at least 100 carts or more) just whizzed by without a sound. With a helmet on and the wind noise I cannot hear even a gas cart until it is almost on top of me. I always ring my bike bell when approaching walkers or slower bikes & beep my horn if in my cart. Many golfers seem to think the multi-modal paths were built just for them...wrong. Let's share the road and be courteous & safe - use your horn before passing.

As an aside, I watched a cart almost roll over today on the path between Bradford & Chitty Chatty. The male driver took a curve too fast & I watched as his right rear wheel lifted several inches off the path. I cannot believe the speeds at which cart drivers take curves. In particular, the aluminum chassis electric carts running lithium ion batteries (like mine) are extremely lightweight compared to their gas counterparts and much easier to roll. Use a little common sense and live to a ripe old age!

We watched a guy speed through the path coming up to El Santiago and El Diablo starter shack obviously late for his tee time. Gave us a dirty look as he almost struck another golf cart. Daily occurrence.:ohdear:

[Mrprez]

Not everyone driving a golf cart is a golfer.

[jswitzer9]

In the past couple of days I have ridden my bicycle over 70 miles on the multi-modal trails. Only one cart driver had the common courtesy to beep their horn so I would know to keep right and let them pass. All the others (and I mean at least 100 carts or more) just whizzed by without a sound. With a helmet on and the wind noise I cannot hear even a gas cart until it is almost on top of me. I always ring my bike bell when approaching walkers or slower bikes & beep my horn if in my cart. Many golfers seem to think the multi-modal paths were built just for them...wrong. Let's share the road and be courteous & safe - use your horn before passing.

As an aside, I watched a cart almost roll over today on the path between Bradford & Chitty Chatty. The male driver took a curve too fast & I watched as his right rear wheel lifted several inches off the path. I cannot believe the speeds at which cart drivers take curves. In particular, the aluminum chassis electric carts running lithium ion batteries (like mine) are extremely lightweight compared to their gas counterparts and much easier to roll. Use a little common sense and live to a ripe old age!

Make an investment some great technology. Buy a Garmin 1030 and pair it to a Garmin Varia Radar detector. This will give you tail lights and the ability to read on your handle bar mounted Garmin 1030 computer any cart or car that's coming up behind you. It's like having eyes on the back of your head. Go to you tube and watch how the system works.

[DaleDivine]

I've seen many posts from bicyclist complaining that a horn blast startles them.

My horn is a Harley type horn and very loud. I would never honk when approaching a bicycle or pedestrian(walking on wrong side of path) because it would definitely startle them. I could just imagine all the noise we would hear if cars and trucks honked on the streets when approaching bicycles.
:bigbow::bigbow:

[irishwonone]

In the past couple of days I have ridden my bicycle over 70 miles on the multi-modal trails. Only one cart driver had the common courtesy to beep their horn so I would know to keep right and let them pass. All the others (and I mean at least 100 carts or more) just whizzed by without a sound. With a helmet on and the wind noise I cannot hear even a gas cart until it is almost on top of me. I always ring my bike bell when approaching walkers or slower bikes & beep my horn if in my cart. Many golfers seem to think the multi-modal paths were built just for them...wrong. Let's share the road and be courteous & safe - use your horn before passing.

As an aside, I watched a cart almost roll over today on the path between Bradford & Chitty Chatty. The male driver took a curve too fast & I watched as his right rear wheel lifted several inches off the path. I cannot believe the speeds at which cart drivers take curves. In particular, the aluminum chassis electric carts running lithium ion batteries (like mine) are extremely lightweight compared to their gas counterparts and much easier to roll. Use a little common sense and live to a ripe old age!
You bring up a couple of very good points. Many corners on multimodal paths are semi or totally blind depending on how the bushes are trimmed. I too really enjoy riding a bike yet enjoy running even more. That’s probably because my running days are numbered. I run toward the bikers and golf carts stay as far left as possible and find almost everyone that passes me to be pretty cautious. When I get close to the blind corners I stop look and cross over to run with the traffic until I clear those corners. Most drivers are exceptional but some come around those corners with their hair on fire. Now to be fair that’s also true of some young electric bikers that actually put their foot out when screaming around blind corners so they don’t fall. The bell is a great idea but most don’t use it. We used to say biker or runner on your left/right as a courtesy. In fairness many that bike haven’t done so in years so their skills have diminished. It’s great to see most bikers wearing a helmet taking safety seriously. I appreciate being able to share these facilities with all my great fellow Villagers. It’s been a real blessing.

[toeser]

In the past couple of days I have ridden my bicycle over 70 miles on the multi-modal trails. Only one cart driver had the common courtesy to beep their horn so I would know to keep right and let them pass. All the others (and I mean at least 100 carts or more) just whizzed by without a sound. With a helmet on and the wind noise I cannot hear even a gas cart until it is almost on top of me. I always ring my bike bell when approaching walkers or slower bikes & beep my horn if in my cart. Many golfers seem to think the multi-modal paths were built just for them...wrong. Let's share the road and be courteous & safe - use your horn before passing.

As an aside, I watched a cart almost roll over today on the path between Bradford & Chitty Chatty. The male driver took a curve too fast & I watched as his right rear wheel lifted several inches off the path. I cannot believe the speeds at which cart drivers take curves. In particular, the aluminum chassis electric carts running lithium ion batteries (like mine) are extremely lightweight compared to their gas counterparts and much easier to roll. Use a little common sense and live to a ripe old age!

I bike on the multimodal trails every single day of the week. I DON'T want golf carts beeping at me.

Put a mirror on your bike. No one should ride without one.

[dhdallas]

I will attempt to rebut some of the dubious replies.

Horns startle cyclists: yes they do, if you wait until you are right behind them and then lay on a long blast. I am talking about a quick beep when you are 100' or so behind.

The Villages will sound like the taxi horn bedlam of NYC: C'mon really? If there was bumper to bumper carts and bikes, then yes it would.

Cyclists don't like car horns: Correct! We do not need to have cars beeping at us because we are on a highway and expect cars to be roaring by as we hug the berm.

Cyclists need to stay to the right and not hog the middle of the path: I do not ride in the middle but always stay in the right lane however, I am not going to hug the edge. It is a MULTI-MODAL path and cyclists, runners, and walkers have every right to use all of their lane just as the carts do (BUT to move over to let faster carts, bikes, runners, etc. to pass).


Cyclists giving you the finger: There are rude cyclists just as there are rude individuals everywhere. At the risk of receiving hate mail I will bet that every cyclist that flipped you off was riding a road bike as in a bicycle with drop bars and was wearing Lycra shorts and a garish looking cycling jersey plastered with logos. The rest of us older non-competitive recreational POLITE cyclists appreciate a simple beep from a reasonable distance and don't wave our middle fingers about.

Cyclists should have mirrors: Should walkers have mirrors? Joggers? I do have a mirror but as fast as these cart drivers come up on you, its easy to miss seeing them until the last second. I am sure anyone driving a car has had a car suddenly appear on their tail seemingly out of nowhere.

Cyclists should be able to hear even with wind noise: Have you ever ridden a bike, especially on a windy day? You can only hear if you turn your head sideways. Add to that we are not youngsters anymore and many of us have mild hearing issues. Plus electric carts are silent.

The Villages is supposed to be Florida's Friendliest Hometown. Judging from some of the intolerant and thoughtless replies, I am not so sure!

I once saw a bumper sticker that stated a good philosophy to live by. It read: Life is short. Don't be a dick!

[srswans]

In the past couple of days I have ridden my bicycle over 70 miles on the multi-modal trails. Only one cart driver had the common courtesy to beep their horn so I would know to keep right and let them pass. All the others (and I mean at least 100 carts or more) just whizzed by without a sound. With a helmet on and the wind noise I cannot hear even a gas cart until it is almost on top of me. I always ring my bike bell when approaching walkers or slower bikes & beep my horn if in my cart. Many golfers seem to think the multi-modal paths were built just for them...wrong. Let's share the road and be courteous & safe - use your horn before passing.
!

No, no, no - never honk at a cyclist. This is a well-established courtesy and safety measure. I recommend a mirror for your bicycle. Do not encourage honking.

[srswans]

I hadn't beeped as I came up to a cyclist before thinking it might startle them. Knowing what have said here, I'll start doing that.

Please, no honking.

[OhioBuckeye]

I totally agree with you. Besides I didn’t know a cart was suppose to honk when passing as being polite or it was the law. The biker should have a mirror on his bike if he can’t hear, that’s not safe not to hear who’s coming up behind you! Besides I thought bikers had to yield for auto’s & cart, not the other way around!

[Trent525]

In the past couple of days I have ridden my bicycle over 70 miles on the multi-modal trails. Only one cart driver had the common courtesy to beep their horn so I would know to keep right and let them pass. All the others (and I mean at least 100 carts or more) just whizzed by without a sound. With a helmet on and the wind noise I cannot hear even a gas cart until it is almost on top of me. I always ring my bike bell when approaching walkers or slower bikes & beep my horn if in my cart. Many golfers seem to think the multi-modal paths were built just for them...wrong. Let's share the road and be courteous & safe - use your horn before passing.

As an aside, I watched a cart almost roll over today on the path between Bradford & Chitty Chatty. The male driver took a curve too fast & I watched as his right rear wheel lifted several inches off the path. I cannot believe the speeds at which cart drivers take curves. In particular, the aluminum chassis electric carts running lithium ion batteries (like mine) are extremely lightweight compared to their gas counterparts and much easier to roll. Use a little common sense and live to a ripe old age!

Thank you for sharing your experiences and observations. Hopefully you stay safe. May all your Guardian Angels always watch over you especially on the multimodal paths!

[Laker14]

I will attempt to rebut some of the dubious replies.

Horns startle cyclists: yes they do, if you wait until you are right behind them and then lay on a long blast. I am talking about a quick beep when you are 100' or so behind.

The Villages will sound like the taxi horn bedlam of NYC: C'mon really? If there was bumper to bumper carts and bikes, then yes it would.

Cyclists don't like car horns: Correct! We do not need to have cars beeping at us because we are on a highway and expect cars to be roaring by as we hug the berm.

Cyclists need to stay to the right and not hog the middle of the path: I do not ride in the middle but always stay in the right lane however, I am not going to hug the edge. It is a MULTI-MODAL path and cyclists, runners, and walkers have every right to use all of their lane just as the carts do (BUT to move over to let faster carts, bikes, runners, etc. to pass).


Cyclists giving you the finger: There are rude cyclists just as there are rude individuals everywhere. At the risk of receiving hate mail I will bet that every cyclist that flipped you off was riding a road bike as in a bicycle with drop bars and was wearing Lycra shorts and a garish looking cycling jersey plastered with logos. The rest of us older non-competitive recreational POLITE cyclists appreciate a simple beep from a reasonable distance and don't wave our middle fingers about.

Cyclists should have mirrors: Should walkers have mirrors? Joggers? I do have a mirror but as fast as these cart drivers come up on you, its easy to miss seeing them until the last second. I am sure anyone driving a car has had a car suddenly appear on their tail seemingly out of nowhere.

Cyclists should be able to hear even with wind noise: Have you ever ridden a bike, especially on a windy day? You can only hear if you turn your head sideways. Add to that we are not youngsters anymore and many of us have mild hearing issues. Plus electric carts are silent.

The Villages is supposed to be Florida's Friendliest Hometown. Judging from some of the intolerant and thoughtless replies, I am not so sure!

I once saw a bumper sticker that stated a good philosophy to live by. It read: Life is short. Don't be a dick!

You confuse disagreement with disagreeable. The fact that I think you are wrong does not, by itself, make me a dick. Even amongst bicyclists, you seem to be in the minority on this idea of honking.
Your reaction to being disagreed with, even among your fellow bicyclists may qualify you for the honor.

[dewilson58]

Not everyone driving a golf cart is a golfer.

And not every golfer is a golfer.

[Laker14]

I totally agree with you. Besides I didn’t know a cart was suppose to honk when passing as being polite or it was the law. The biker should have a mirror on his bike if he can’t hear, that’s not safe not to hear who’s coming up behind you! Besides I thought bikers had to yield for auto’s & cart, not the other way around!

Bikers are not required by law to yield to carts and autos. They are entitled to their space on the road, equally to cars and carts.
It is also not mandatory that a bike pull off onto the shoulder where all the broken glass and muffler pieces are laying, in order to make it easier for cars to pass.

Cars should not attempt to pass a bicyclist by squeezing between the bike and the center line. They should wait until they have clear vision and can ascertain they have sufficient room ahead in the oncoming lane to use it to pass and give the bike plenty of room when they pass.

[Veiragirl]

if every cart passing every bike tooted its horn, the noise would be constant, and irritating. What you need to do is buy, then use, a sideview mirror. I don't ride anymore, but I once did, and I interpreted car horns not as a polite "here I am, don't let me startle you" but rather as a "MOVE OVER!!! GET OUT OF MY WAY!!!"... so, no, I'm not beeping for you. I'll give you your space and pass when it's safe, but it's up to you to know who is behind you.
If it's bigger then you, this includes people biking, jogging or walking on the golf carts paths MOVE OVER so the cart can pass.

[Sportsguy1]

So which is it…..honk your horn when on MM path when approaching a bicyclist…or do NOT honk your horn? 🤷*♂️

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

In the past couple of days I have ridden my bicycle over 70 miles on the multi-modal trails. Only one cart driver had the common courtesy to beep their horn so I would know to keep right and let them pass. All the others (and I mean at least 100 carts or more) just whizzed by without a sound. With a helmet on and the wind noise I cannot hear even a gas cart until it is almost on top of me. I always ring my bike bell when approaching walkers or slower bikes & beep my horn if in my cart. Many golfers seem to think the multi-modal paths were built just for them...wrong. Let's share the road and be courteous & safe - use your horn before passing.

As an aside, I watched a cart almost roll over today on the path between Bradford & Chitty Chatty. The male driver took a curve too fast & I watched as his right rear wheel lifted several inches off the path. I cannot believe the speeds at which cart drivers take curves. In particular, the aluminum chassis electric carts running lithium ion batteries (like mine) are extremely lightweight compared to their gas counterparts and much easier to roll. Use a little common sense and live to a ripe old age!

If every golf cart beeped at every bicycle rider on the MMPs, they'd have to pass new noise ordinances. And there'd probably be a lot more accidents caused by startled bike riders distracted from what's ahead of them.

If you can't hear a golf cart behind you AND if this bothers you, then invest $15 in a mirror so you can see it coming closer from behind. OR, try looking over your shoulder every once in awhile to see if a golf cart is approaching from behind.

I don't have a mirror - definitely thinking of getting one though. But I do look behind every so often and stay as far to the right as I can anyway. Golf carts that want to pass me may absolutely do so.

And please for the love of god do NOT beep at me unless I am in the middle of the lane, and there's room to move over, and I have chosen not to, and you want to pass. All of these things should be true to give you reason to beep your horn at me.

[Laker14]

So which is it…..honk your horn when on MM path when approaching a bicyclist…or do NOT honk your horn? 🤷*♂️

Don't honk. Hang back a respectful distance until you can see well ahead of the bike in the oncoming lane. When you have plenty of room ahead, so you can give the bike plenty of room, then pass.
Do not try to squeeze past the bike in a tight space.

[tophcfa]

So which is it…..honk your horn when on MM path when approaching a bicyclist…or do NOT honk your horn? 🤷*♂️

Depends, does the bicyclist have a mirror, see you coming, and pull over to give you space to pass? If so, no honking required.

[Bill14564]

Don't honk. Hang back a respectful distance until you can see well ahead of the bike in the oncoming lane. When you have plenty of room ahead, so you can give the bike plenty of room, then pass.
Do not try to squeeze past the bike in a tight space.

It really is just that easy. (been there, done that, seen it work, experienced it myself, etc, etc, etc)

[thevillages2013]

And not every golfer is a golfer.

The better golfers don’t ride in a cart at all they WALK and someone carries their clubs for them!:coolsmiley:

[Dennys37Packard]

fIn the past couple of days I have ridden my bicycle over 70 miles on the multi-modal trails. Only one cart driver had the common courtesy to beep their horn so I would know to keep right and let them pass. All the others (and I mean at least 100 carts or more) just whizzed by without a sound. With a helmet on and the wind noise I cannot hear even a gas cart until it is almost on top of me. I always ring my bike bell when approaching walkers or slower bikes & beep my horn if in my cart. Many golfers seem to think the multi-modal paths were built just for them...wrong. Let's share the road and be courteous & safe - use your horn before passing.

As an aside, I watched a cart almost roll over today on the path between Bradford & Chitty Chatty. The male driver took a curve too fast & I watched as his right rear wheel lifted several inches off the path. I cannot believe the speeds at which cart drivers take curves. In particular, the aluminum chassis electric carts running lithium ion batteries (like mine) are extremely lightweight compared to their gas counterparts and much easier to roll. Use a little common sense and live to a ripe old age!

I seriously never thought to shortly beep my horn.... I will from now on. I just assumed bikers saw me in their mirrors. Thank you for your post.

[thevillages2013]

Sorry but every time I read the subject/topic for the original post I get an image of a golf cart with a pair of bull’s horns on the front.

[brads799@gmail.com]

Thanks I will beep a bike before passing

[charlieo1126@gmail.com]

In the past couple of days I have ridden my bicycle over 70 miles on the multi-modal trails. Only one cart driver had the common courtesy to beep their horn so I would know to keep right and let them pass. All the others (and I mean at least 100 carts or more) just whizzed by without a sound. With a helmet on and the wind noise I cannot hear even a gas cart until it is almost on top of me. I always ring my bike bell when approaching walkers or slower bikes & beep my horn if in my cart. Many golfers seem to think the multi-modal paths were built just for them...wrong. Let's share the road and be courteous & safe - use your horn before passing.

As an aside, I watched a cart almost roll over today on the path between Bradford & Chitty Chatty. The male driver took a curve too fast & I watched as his right rear wheel lifted several inches off the path. I cannot believe the speeds at which cart drivers take curves. In particular, the aluminum chassis electric carts running lithium ion batteries (like mine) are extremely lightweight compared to their gas counterparts and much easier to roll. Use a little common sense and live to a ripe old age! I don’t need and don’t want somebody honking there horn behind me while riding , I have a rear view mirror to watch for cars or carts to alert me, I can only imagine how much noise that would generate, as I rode. on my no earphones quiet ride and if you can’t ride and check the mirror , well I’m 83 I can still do both

[dewilson58]

I don’t need and don’t want somebody honking there horn behind me while riding , I have a rear view mirror to watch for cars or carts to alert me, I can only imagine how much noise that would generate, as I rode. on my no earphones quiet ride and if you can’t ride and check the mirror , well I’m 83 I can still do both

:bigbow:

[thevillages2013]

I don’t need and don’t want somebody honking there horn behind me while riding , I have a rear view mirror to watch for cars or carts to alert me, I can only imagine how much noise that would generate, as I rode. on my no earphones quiet ride and if you can’t ride and check the mirror , well I’m 83 I can still do both

He’s back!

[johnbarnon]

In the past couple of days I have ridden my bicycle over 70 miles on the multi-modal trails. Only one cart driver had the common courtesy to beep their horn so I would know to keep right and let them pass. All the others (and I mean at least 100 carts or more) just whizzed by without a sound. With a helmet on and the wind noise I cannot hear even a gas cart until it is almost on top of me. I always ring my bike bell when approaching walkers or slower bikes & beep my horn if in my cart. Many golfers seem to think the multi-modal paths were built just for them...wrong. Let's share the road and be courteous & safe - use your horn before passing.

As an aside, I watched a cart almost roll over today on the path between Bradford & Chitty Chatty. The male driver took a curve too fast & I watched as his right rear wheel lifted several inches off the path. I cannot believe the speeds at which cart drivers take curves. In particular, the aluminum chassis electric carts running lithium ion batteries (like mine) are extremely lightweight compared to their gas counterparts and much easier to roll. Use a little common sense and live to a ripe old age!

I ride a lot in U.K and when I am there, take responsibility, you should be aware of other things happening around you. A lot of cyclists, I know
Would not want to blast you with a horn as it may distract cyclists and panic them. Mirrors in Walmart, what isn’t.

[CaptainMeso]

I agree with those who don’t like carts honking when they pass. It would be extremely annoying.

[srswans]

f

I seriously never thought to shortly beep my horn.... I will from now on. I just assumed bikers saw me in their mirrors. Thank you for your post.
No, please don’t beep at cyclists. Read the entire thread.

[chenault55]

In the past couple of days I have ridden my bicycle over 70 miles on the multi-modal trails. Only one cart driver had the common courtesy to beep their horn so I would know to keep right and let them pass. All the others (and I mean at least 100 carts or more) just whizzed by without a sound. With a helmet on and the wind noise I cannot hear even a gas cart until it is almost on top of me. I always ring my bike bell when approaching walkers or slower bikes & beep my horn if in my cart. Many golfers seem to think the multi-modal paths were built just for them...wrong. Let's share the road and be courteous & safe - use your horn before passing.

As an aside, I watched a cart almost roll over today on the path between Bradford & Chitty Chatty. The male driver took a curve too fast & I watched as his right rear wheel lifted several inches off the path. I cannot believe the speeds at which cart drivers take curves. In particular, the aluminum chassis electric carts running lithium ion batteries (like mine) are extremely lightweight compared to their gas counterparts and much easier to roll. Use a little common sense and live to a ripe old age!

I’m embarrassed to say I didn’t know to do it was a curtesy. I thought it was rude to honk. Since it is a curtesy I will do it gladly.

[A-2-56]

I believe that the original OP has a great point. When carts pass walkers or bicycles they should beep their horns. Whether if be one cart or 12 carts, each one should beep so the other knows what is coming.I think that this should be extended to a national traffic law for all vehicle on all thoroughfares.
Yes when a car passes you, they need to honk. When a semi comes along side of you they should get on that air horn. This would be better for everyone. Every pass or and other operator deserves notification.
After all, why should the responsibility for other vehicles in your space be your responsibility. You just want to go for a ride, everyone else is responsible for your safety. I truly believe this would be beneficial for all.
Also good for the economy as we will have to buy more horns to replace those that we wore out.

[fcgiii]

In the past couple of days I have ridden my bicycle over 70 miles on the multi-modal trails. Only one cart driver had the common courtesy to beep their horn so I would know to keep right and let them pass. All the others (and I mean at least 100 carts or more) just whizzed by without a sound. With a helmet on and the wind noise I cannot hear even a gas cart until it is almost on top of me. I always ring my bike bell when approaching walkers or slower bikes & beep my horn if in my cart. Many golfers seem to think the multi-modal paths were built just for them...wrong. Let's share the road and be courteous & safe - use your horn before passing.

As an aside, I watched a cart almost roll over today on the path between Bradford & Chitty Chatty. The male driver took a curve too fast & I watched as his right rear wheel lifted several inches off the path. I cannot believe the speeds at which cart drivers take curves. In particular, the aluminum chassis electric carts running lithium ion batteries (like mine) are extremely lightweight compared to their gas counterparts and much easier to roll. Use a little common sense and live to a ripe old age!

Of course all bicyclists warn pedestrians they are coming by ringing their bell. My wife got hit by a cyclist who smacked right into her without warning when she moved unknowingly into his path, knocking them both flat. He scrambled up and zipped away. Courtesy goes both ways.

[Laker14]

Of course all bicyclists warn pedestrians they are coming by ringing their bell. My wife got hit by a cyclist who smacked right into her without warning when she moved unknowingly into his path, knocking them both flat. He scrambled up and zipped away. Courtesy goes both ways.

when I rode, if I came up behind walkers, I'd warn them with a "biker behind you, on your left (or right)". I'd also slow down because I didn't want to crash. This should only be a problem on small, one lane roads or paths, because on a two lane road, the bike should be going with traffic, and the walkers against traffic. However, as we all know, some people have their own particular sense of what works best, so you'll get the bike riding against traffic, or the walker walking with traffic.
I guess now we'll get more "honkers" blasting away, annoying 99% of the bikers while they think they are being courteous.
After a few angry gestures from bicyclists they'll start to figure out that the OP's opinion is an outlier, and eventually they'll stop honking.

[charlieo1126@gmail.com]

He’s back!when I’m not here , I’m not here lol

[OhioBuckeye]

Bikers are not required by law to yield to carts and autos. They are entitled to their space on the road, equally to cars and carts.
It is also not mandatory that a bike pull off onto the shoulder where all the broken glass and muffler pieces are laying, in order to make it easier for cars to pass.

Cars should not attempt to pass a bicyclist by squeezing between the bike and the center line. They should wait until they have clear vision and can ascertain they have sufficient room ahead in the oncoming lane to use it to pass and give the bike plenty of room when they pass. We’ll bikers had better start yielding because a car & a golf cart can do a lot more damage to the biker than a bike can to them. I’m a biker too & I have 2 mirrors on my bike & 1 on my helmet. Don’t come here & try to start an argument, I’m just saying when you’re on a cart/bike path. Golf carts run faster than a biker, so I’m just saying stay close to the side of the path then the carts can have plenty of room to pass without having to honk at every bike they pass. Not hear to argue just saying cars & carts are bigger so use your mirrors & avoid an unnecessary collision!

[STEVENMERL]

In the past couple of days I have ridden my bicycle over 70 miles on the multi-modal trails. Only one cart driver had the common courtesy to beep their horn so I would know to keep right and let them pass. All the others (and I mean at least 100 carts or more) just whizzed by without a sound. With a helmet on and the wind noise I cannot hear even a gas cart until it is almost on top of me. I always ring my bike bell when approaching walkers or slower bikes & beep my horn if in my cart. Many golfers seem to think the multi-modal paths were built just for them...wrong. Let's share the road and be courteous & safe - use your horn before passing.

As an aside, I watched a cart almost roll over today on the path between Bradford & Chitty Chatty. The male driver took a curve too fast & I watched as his right rear wheel lifted several inches off the path. I cannot believe the speeds at which cart drivers take curves. In particular, the aluminum chassis electric carts running lithium ion batteries (like mine) are extremely lightweight compared to their gas counterparts and much easier to roll. Use a little common sense and live to a ripe old age!

There are people driving golf carts that are souped up, don't follow any of the safe driving rules and are truly a menace.
I suggest that golf carts should be registered and have some means of identification so they could be reported to The Village Public Safety enforcment for speeding and reckless driving. I also beleive that Public Safety should patrol the cart paths so we can get these menaces off the road.

[tophcfa]

The better golfers don’t ride in a cart at all they WALK and someone carries their clubs for them!:coolsmiley:

They also are young, play competitively, and don’t have arthritis, knee, and hip replacements. And before and after their rounds, the get treatment from their personal trainers. We are talking about the Villages, not the PGA Tour.

[Jpetraus]

Definitely don’t honk! May scare the biker and make them think you are about to run into them!! Also the constant din of horns will disturb the peace.

[fdpaq0580]

They also are young, play competitively, and don’t have arthritis, knee, and hip replacements. And before and after their rounds, the get treatment from their personal trainers. We are talking about the Villages, not the PGA Tour.

Did a "Spit take" when I read your last sentence. Reading the golf threads with all the comments of, " do this, don't do that, hurry up, slow down, etc, etc", it becomes evident that many believe it is the "Tour" and take it verrry seriously.
⛳

[JMintzer]

Definitely don’t honk! May scare the biker and make them think you are about to run into them!! Also the constant din of horns will disturb the peace.

A quick "beep" of a horn is a "constant din?

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

Of course all bicyclists warn pedestrians they are coming by ringing their bell. My wife got hit by a cyclist who smacked right into her without warning when she moved unknowingly into his path, knocking them both flat. He scrambled up and zipped away. Courtesy goes both ways.

I don't have a bell. If I'm about to pass someone jogging/walking, who is facing the same direction I'm heading, on one of the MMPs I just yell "right behind you" so they know I'm there. I trust walkers/joggers to be smart enough to not suddenly decide to step over to their left at the exact same moment I'm about to pass them, without looking to see if someone is behind them. The yell is loud enough that they'll hear me if they're not wearing ear-buds, but not so loud that it'd shock them into tipping over the edge of the road.

[Laker14]

I totally agree with you. Besides I didn’t know a cart was suppose to honk when passing as being polite or it was the law. The biker should have a mirror on his bike if he can’t hear, that’s not safe not to hear who’s coming up behind you! Besides I thought bikers had to yield for auto’s & cart, not the other way around!

Bikers are not required by law to yield to carts and autos. They are entitled to their space on the road, equally to cars and carts.
It is also not mandatory that a bike pull off onto the shoulder where all the broken glass and muffler pieces are laying, in order to make it easier for cars to pass.

Cars should not attempt to pass a bicyclist by squeezing between the bike and the center line. They should wait until they have clear vision and can ascertain they have sufficient room ahead in the oncoming lane to use it to pass and give the bike plenty of room when they pass.

We’ll bikers had better start yielding because a car & a golf cart can do a lot more damage to the biker than a bike can to them. I’m a biker too & I have 2 mirrors on my bike & 1 on my helmet. Don’t come here & try to start an argument, I’m just saying when you’re on a cart/bike path. Golf carts run faster than a biker, so I’m just saying stay close to the side of the path then the carts can have plenty of room to pass without having to honk at every bike they pass. Not hear to argue just saying cars & carts are bigger so use your mirrors & avoid an unnecessary collision!

I wasn't trying to start an argument. I was responding to a common misconception, that often leads to anger and aggression. You stated that you thought bikers had to yield to carts and autos, and that is simply not the law. Quite the opposite actually.

When I rode I had a few altercations with angry drivers who felt it was my duty to pull off onto a shoulder strewn with glass and fallen-off car parts, rather than the driver of the auto's duty to just wait until he had a clear space to pass.

[Laker14]

A quick "beep" of a horn is a "constant din?

if every cart passing every biker used a quick beep of the horn, it would get pretty noisy pretty fast.

[JMintzer]

if every cart passing every biker used a quick beep of the horn, it would get pretty noisy pretty fast.

:1rotfl::1rotfl::1rotfl:

In my travels, If I pass 3 cyclists in a day, it's a busy day...

[Laker14]

:1rotfl::1rotfl::1rotfl:

In my travels, If I pass 3 cyclists in a day, it's a busy day...

I see many more than that, on a slow day. And many more carts than just you and I pass them.

[thevillages2013]

when I’m not here , I’m not here lol

Well welcome back , sir!

[thevillages2013]

They also are young, play competitively, and don’t have arthritis, knee, and hip replacements. And before and after their rounds, the get treatment from their personal trainers. We are talking about the Villages, not the PGA Tour.
Hey, maybe Tiger at the Masters! Let’s go

[coffeebean]

I used to give a couple of quick beeps when I was coming up on a bicyclist. Received many middle fingers and few waves. No more!

I have never honked my horn at a bicyclist when I pass them. I make sure I have plenty of room in the main roadway to clearly get around the bicyclist. I do not ever expect a bicyclist to move right for me to pass. Hence.....no need to give the bicyclist a toot of my horn.

[coffeebean]

Anyone understand this ? (I sure don’t)

Nope.