Bicycle Riding in the Villages

[collection6]

I just had my third incident with criminal automobile drivers in the villages. Yes I say criminal, because what she attempted to do is criminal. On sun 12/3 I was riding my bike northbound on Buena Vista in the right lane as close to the side of the road as possible. A silver Nissan maxima 1989 or so came up behind me and started to lean on the horn. I turned and saw that there were no cars in the left lane, so this car had plenty of room to pass me, but instead proceeded to pull along side of me and tried to swerve into me while blowing her horn and waving her hand at me. She forced me over onto the grass, and I must say I was quite shaken up. I was unable to get a plate number as she drove away too quickly. All I know is that it was a woman approx 75 driving an older 1989(?) silver Nissan maxima. she also had a female passenger with her. This was about 2:30pm. It's a shame because one would think that at that age and gender this would not be proper behavior. I'm sorry I was not able to get a plate number to report to the police.

[jnieman]

I just had my third incident with criminal automobile drivers in the villages. Yes I say criminal, because what she attempted to do is criminal. On sun 12/3 I was riding my bike northbound on Buena Vista in the right lane as close to the side of the road as possible. A silver Nissan maxima 1989 or so came up behind me and started to lean on the horn. I turned and saw that there were no cars in the left lane, so this car had plenty of room to pass me, but instead proceeded to pull along side of me and tried to swerve into me while blowing her horn and waving her hand at me. She forced me over onto the grass, and I must say I was quite shaken up. I was unable to get a plate number as she drove away too quickly. All I know is that it was a woman approx 75 driving an older 1989(?) silver Nissan maxima. she also had a female passenger with her. This was about 2:30pm. It's a shame because one would think that at that age and gender this would not be proper behavior. I'm sorry I was not able to get a plate number to report to the police.

Buena Vista is a dangerous place to ride a bike. Not sure if I'd want to take that risk even though it is legal. There are lots of crazy drivers on that road.

[collection6]

I understand and do not usually ride there because of that,this was different she deliberately tried to hit me.

[jnieman]

I understand and do not usually ride there because of that,this was different she deliberately tried to hit me.

Probably a worker in the Villages. I have encountered some of them in my car that behaved horribly. It would have been great if you could have gotten her license plate. I'm glad you are ok.

[Mudder]

Why not ride on the multi modal path?

[collection6]

You get golf cart drivers yelling at you to get off of the cart paths. I have lived in the villages for seven years and find that the roads are safer than the cart paths for a biker.

[Bosoxfan]

I have lived in the villages for seven years and find that the roads are safer than the cart paths for a biker.

:agree: Except I've been here for 31/2 years!

[collection6]

I see you're from worcestor, my mother was born and raised there

[Chazz]

Quite a chilling report! I've been fortunate to not have such experiences here, yet. However, I did have one occasion where a woman auto driver thought she should instruct me that biking is not permitted on "her" roads (Buena Vista, again, was the venue), although she did not threaten me with her vehicle, as you were. Ironically, that same day my group was riding on the multimodal path and a "gentleman" in a golf cart screamed at us to get off the cart path.

I find that, in many cases, drivers and cyclists are not aware of vehicle laws and privileges that apply to riding a human powered vehicle (HPV), including bikes and trikes, etc., on roads, despite several newspaper articles by The Villages Public Safety Director, Mike Tucker. The most common being that HPVs may ride on the roads and are entitled to the same rights and responsibilities as cars. Cars are required to give at least 3 feet clearance to an HPV when passing. If it is not possible to share a lane because it is too narrow to do so (usually 13 feet or less), the cyclist is entitled to use the full lane.

In the case that Collection6 describes, it is clear that no law would matter. The auto driver acted with criminality by harassing him and threatening him with a deadly weapon. Fortunately, she didn't carry through with that threat.

[Golfer in Sanibel]

Probably a worker in the Villages. I have encountered some of them in my car that behaved horribly. It would have been great if you could have gotten her license plate. I'm glad you are ok.

At an age of about 75, why would you not think she is a resident?

[blueash]

There are not that many 1989 or so silver Nissan Maximas still on the road. Your knowledge of the approximate age and gender of the driver, the type of car and it would be helpful if you knew it was a Florida plate would be enough for local police to do a computer search for all such vehicles registered to persons living here. Are there going to more than a few?

[JoeC1947]

I understand and do not usually ride there because of that,this was different she deliberately tried to hit me.

I would tend to think that if she wanted to hit you she would have.

[JoeC1947]

Probably a worker in the Villages. I have encountered some of them in my car that behaved horribly. It would have been great if you could have gotten her license plate. I'm glad you are ok.

Oh come on!

[Chazz]

There are not that many 1989 or so silver Nissan Maximas still on the road. Your knowledge of the approximate age and gender of the driver, the type of car and it would be helpful if you knew it was a Florida plate would be enough for local police to do a computer search for all such vehicles registered to persons living here. Are there going to more than a few?

Good point! :agree: I hope that Collection6 decides to report the incident to the police. Maybe nothing will come of it, but just maybe we'll all be lucky enough to have one less dangerous person marauding our roads.

[clekr]

Been thru this myself and with other bike club members. Police say they can not do anything unless they see it themselves. Even with eight witnesses.

[Mikeod]

Yup. Gets down to he said, she said unless witnessed by an LEO. Even if you have multiple witnesses from your bike club, it doesn't matter since they are not independent witnesses.

[Chazz]

Been thru this myself and with other bike club members. Police say they can not do anything unless they see it themselves. Even with eight witnesses.

I wonder if that is a choice that they make, based on the difficulty to get a conviction, rather than a point of legality? I'm sure if there was actually one of your club members seriously injured or killed by a motor vehicle driver, that they would investigate, even if the officers didn't personally witness the incident.

[mickey100]

I was involved in an incident of road rage a while back, and got the driver's license plate number and the local police refused to investigate. I suggested they could contact the person and just issue a verbal warning, and they refused to do even that. I'm from NY and have always had respect for police officers and felt they were there to help. I don't feel that way about the law enforcement down here in The Villages, and the story you've told just reconfirms that belief.

[capecodbob]

Well, don't build the bike-ees a bike path. We built several up here and they still ride out on the single lane street where the speed limit is 40.
I don't think you can ever satisfy this bunch!
Yes, some do use the bike paths but they are usually the older bikers. The Lance Armstrong Wannabees would have no part of the bike path.

[raypenepent]

we were visiting there about 3 months ago looking for a home too buy ,when a woman in the granny lane suddenly veered over into the passing lane and forced me too stop dead in the road too avoid missing her. luckly noone was behind us. she too was about 75 and never bothered too signal or look ,just turned into the left lane with not a care in the world. Some dont deserve too drive anymore,wish they would give drivers tests every 3 years for people over 70. Glad you are ok, though!! Be careful out there

[goodgrief]

Why not ride on the multi modal path?

That was actually my thought. I'm a bike rider too and use the lanes and paths versus the road. And in very dangerous areas like pinelles I will occasionally use the sidewalk (giving pedestrians right of way of course).I know a lot of folks want to ride on the road with traffic and all I have to say is be careful. I often wonder why folks ride on the road when the paths are far more safe. THe driver was out of line and its too bad no one was around to report her to the sheriff. Or perhaps someone did? You may never know. Kinda like what happened on the interestate....car caused a deadly accident and got 20 miles away before being nabbed. Never know who saw and reported. Lets hope.

[sueandskip]

seems to me I read a post awhile back about a grey color older car weaving toward and honking horn next to a golf cart that was street legal on el camino real street....

[gomoho]

I respect bike riders on the road, but please show the same respect by riding in single file rather than 2 or 3 abreast. Just saying it goes both ways.

[graciegirl]

we were visiting there about 3 months ago looking for a home too buy ,when a woman in the granny lane suddenly veered over into the passing lane and forced me too stop dead in the road too avoid missing her. luckly noone was behind us. she too was about 75 and never bothered too signal or look ,just turned into the left lane with not a care in the world. Some dont deserve too drive anymore,wish they would give drivers tests every 3 years for people over 70. Glad you are ok, though!! Be careful out there

The GRANNY lane? Tests every three months for people over seventy???

Hmmmmmm. Seventy in The Villages is the new forty.

How old are you sonny?

[gemorc]

I respect bike riders on the road, but please show the same respect by riding in single file rather than 2 or 3 abreast. Just saying it goes both ways.

Oh by the way, when riding in a pack, please stop at stop signs and all red lights.

[Down Sized]

You get golf cart drivers yelling at you to get off of the cart paths. I have lived in the villages for seven years and find that the roads are safer than the cart paths for a biker.

I have been ridding my bicycle on the cart trails for the last four months ( sometimes two hours a day) and have NEVER been yelled at. I always try to stay at the outer edge to give the carts room to pass.
I also have noticed a couple of times that a bicycle rider was riding in the middle of the cart path. Not sure why a person would do this?

[Chazz]

I respect bike riders on the road, but please show the same respect by riding in single file rather than 2 or 3 abreast. Just saying it goes both ways.

Actually, in some cases, riding 2 abreast is permissible. The case I am referring to is on a substandard size lane (i.e. under 13' wide). In such cases, it is impossible for a car and a cycle to share the lane with the car still affording the legally required 3' safe passing distance. A good example of such a road is Rainey Trail as it approaches 301.

[quirky3]

seems to me I read a post awhile back about a grey color older car weaving toward and honking horn next to a golf cart that was street legal on el camino real street....

I remember that too. It was the same type of incident.

[graciegirl]

I remember that too. It was the same type of incident.

I thought it happened to CappyJon...who we hadn't heard from in awhile, but when I looked back, the incident was similar but involved his golf cart.

https://www.talkofthevillages.com/forums/villages-florida-general-discussion-73/americas-friendliest-hometown-im-beginning-have-my-doubts-58508/

[Peter@PeacefulPL]

Doesn't FL have a "Castle" law allowing you to defend yourself against aggressive acts. Just sayin.

[collection6]

The only serious bike accident I have read of in the villages was a couple of months ago on the cart path by the Bridgeport gate. It seems that a golfcart ran over a biker, and then backed over him again. Seems like there's crazy drivers on the cart paths also. To add to my incident,the only reason I wasn't hit was the fact that I left the road and ended up on the grass. That alone could have caused an injury. To you people that have replied that I should not have been on the road, or that bikers fail to stop at stop signs, get a life, it has nothing to do with what happened to me. Start a blog on those issues if they bother you.

[NotGolfer]

That was a horrible, scarey thing to happen! Not sure why someone would say "probably a worker" in T.V. The OP said she looked to be 75..probably not a worker.

We have a street legal cart and were a roundabout recently. A car was rapidly approaching and didn't look like they were planning on "yielding" (we were far enough along they would need to). We would have been t-boned "IF" they'd not applied their brakes. THEN they had the audacity to lay on their horn. Now I'm not necessarily an advocate for LSV's...makes me nervous to be a passenger...but "someone" insisted we "needed" one!! I won't mention who.... That being said though we ALL need to show care when we're on the roadways and trails as well. IF that lady reads this post...I'd say "shame, shame, shame on you!"

[collection6]

I'm an older rider myself and understand that driver reaction slows down as we get along in age, I also have a problem with the way some bikers don't signal or run stop signs. I think that it is a common complaint, however to end my story, this was not the case in my incident.

[njbchbum]

i respect bike riders on the road, but please show the same respect by riding in single file rather than 2 or 3 abreast. Just saying it goes both ways.

oh by the way, when riding in a pack, please stop at stop signs and all red lights.

amen!

[janmcn]

It's going to be a long hot winter...old ladies trying to kill bicyclist. On another thread the OP said inebriated 90 year olds were spilling their drinks and trampling the flowers with their walkers and wheelchairs, and it's not even winter yet.

[Pturner]

Probably a worker in the Villages. I have encountered some of them in my car that behaved horribly. It would have been great if you could have gotten her license plate. I'm glad you are ok.

:wave: Jnieman,
Um, ahem... I am a worker in TV. Rest assured I would never do such a thing, nor, I'm fairly confident, would most of my colleagues. "Probably" a worker in TV? Ouch.

[Chazz]

:wave: Jnieman,
Um, ahem... I am a worker in TV. Rest assured I would never do such a thing, nor, I'm fairly confident, would most of my colleagues. "Probably" a worker in TV? Ouch.

I agree:agree:. Most of the workers are just as courteous as most Villagers, and deserve our respect. The word "probably" would better apply to the alleged perpetrator (me being legally correct) as presumptively out of her friggin' mind.

[Vinny]

One day that woman may find out that it is legal to use deadly force when attacked by a vehicle. Just a matter of trying that with the wrong person before she learns the hard way that people have the right to defend themselves when in reasonable fear of their lives. You would think that she has heard about our Stand your ground law. There is lots of legal precedence about what is allowed when someone uses their car as a weapon whether it is a bluff or not.

I am also a bike rider but while many can keep up with traffic on the major roads I do know some that cannot but do ride on them because it gives them a sense of power. You know the type. The ones who do things just because they are allowed to no matter how it affects others. I stick to the local roads without cart lanes as I would not take it very well if someone tried to run me off the road. Heck, I would drive around looking for their car for weeks.

[Pturner]

Collection6,
Sorry, I also meant to say that what happened to you is unconscionable. I'm so glad that you are ok. Hugs.

[ijusluvit]

The only serious bike accident I have read of in the villages was a couple of months ago on the cart path by the Bridgeport gate. It seems that a golfcart ran over a biker, and then backed over him again. Seems like there's crazy drivers on the cart paths also. To add to my incident,the only reason I wasn't hit was the fact that I left the road and ended up on the grass. That alone could have caused an injury. To you people that have replied that I should not have been on the road, or that bikers fail to stop at stop signs, get a life, it has nothing to do with what happened to me. Start a blog on those issues if they bother you.

Terrible! But likely it would not have helped much to have gotten the license number. It becomes (tragically) a case of he said/she said. Here's a possible protection fro you: some cyclists are using video cameras attached to their handlebars. There is one case in Texas where a person who did exactly what happened to you was successfully identified and prosecuted on the basis of the video tape. Good luck! Do your best to stay safe!

[Down Sized]

Doesn't FL have a "Castle" law allowing you to defend yourself against aggressive acts. Just sayin.

HERE WE GO!!
:ohdear:

[anarick]

How would someone on a bike defend themselves against someone in a car? Even if you stop the offender would probably take off.
Unless you carry a weapon, I don't see how you could defend yourself.

[collection6]

A little shaken up but ok, just blowing off steam on line, I thank you all for your comments

[cquick]

[QUOTE=goodgrief;588996]That was actually my thought. I'm a bike rider too and use the lanes and paths versus the road. And in very dangerous areas like pinelles I will occasionally use the sidewalk (giving pedestrians right of way of course).I know a lot of folks want to ride on the road with traffic and all I have to say is be careful. /QUOTE]

Speaking of Pinellas......we live in Sanibel and it seems to me that Pinellas Place is very oddly designed. So many times the golf cart path has to merge with the cars in the road....I can only hope that it settles down some after the construction workers are not using the road so much.

But the sidewalk is much too narrow for bicycles.....and I am not sure if the law allows bicycles on the sidewalks.

[carlthomas975]

You get golf cart drivers yelling at you to get off of the cart paths. I have lived in the villages for seven years and find that the roads are safer than the cart paths for a biker.

Im curious why the cart paths are less safe than the roadways here for cyclists? There is so much construction going on and roads so heavily travelled that with all the big trucks and trailors (while loaded) absolutely cannot stop even if they try to. I've noticed that many cyclists usually ride at the very busiest time of day and take up the whole road. If the roads are so narrow then there really isnt room for yielding. It would have been nice to have a cyclist path along the roads or designated areas for bike travel. As I am an avid biker myself. It takes great courage to cycle on the roadways here at certain times of the day. Use extreme caution. Lots of crazy drivers out this time of year.

[Chazz]

[QUOTE=goodgrief;588996]t the sidewalk is much too narrow for bicycles.....and I am not sure if the law allows bicycles on the sidewalks.

It is legal in Florida to cycle on sidewalks. However, in such cases, the cyclist must follow traffic rules that apply to pedestrians.

[eremite06]

I don't ride my motorcycles or recumbent trike on any multi-modal paths or major streets in the Villages.

[skip0358]

I ride in the early AM. I use the road which I found safer then the mulitmodel paths. As with any vehicle keep your eyes open use your mirror , helmet, front and back lights and assume nothing. People may not be able to see you so check your mirrors often, use your hand signals and stay on the side of the road. Car should also observe the 3 foot rule when passing a bike. Also remember to wear bright colors

[CarGuys]

You get golf cart drivers yelling at you to get off of the cart paths. I have lived in the villages for seven years and find that the roads are safer than the cart paths for a biker.

We have had more than our share of insults thrown at myself and wife from Cart operators. They never stop to discuss my reply back to them. We have been reminded by some that these are cart paths and not walking or bike paths. WRONG

This will start WW3. Most nasty comments and close calls were from women.
One leaned out clapped her hands together and yelled to my wife "Pedal Harder Honey" . All I can say is when she lerned out and yellped her cart tipped heavely to the right! Must be bad shocks right! Some people are just rude.

[buggyone]

Doesn't FL have a "Castle" law allowing you to defend yourself against aggressive acts. Just sayin.

Hopefully, this poster was just joking with his comment. I can just imagine a pistol packing bicycle rider squeezing off rounds at cars who done him wrong.

Anyhow, I have read these posts and if the bicycler follows the same rules on the road as a car (stopping at stopsigns or lights, etc) there is no reason for them not to be on the road. The multi-modal trails are good for them, too. Riding single file on the trails is the courteous thing to do so carts can pass safely. Motorcycles over 49cc (I believe) are NOT allowed on the multi-modal trails. Segways are allowed.

As for the idiot driver of the Nissan, she should be locked up.

[CarGuys]

Hopefully, this poster was just joking with his comment. I can just imagine a pistol packing bicycle rider squeezing off rounds at cars who done him wrong.

Anyhow, I have read these posts and if the bicycler follows the same rules on the road as a car (stopping at stopsigns or lights, etc) there is no reason for them not to be on the road. The multi-modal trails are good for them, too. Riding single file on the trails is the courteous thing to do so carts can pass safely. Motorcycles over 49cc (I believe) are NOT allowed on the multi-modal trails. Segways are allowed.

As for the idiot driver of the Nissan, she should be locked up.

I pose a question, Just for --- and giggles. If the speed limit for a cart is 19.5 and a cart is of course wide enought to carry two people right?

Then what is wrong with a bicycle that can maintain that speed and ride staggered next to each other.

If you ride single lane than it should be near the center of the cart trail. Riding on the curb edge allows those to pass while another cart is coming head on there by forcing the bicycle rider close to a dangerouse curb, grass or tree!

I always slow down and when safe wave a cart by that is behind us.

Just saying.

[buggyone]

I pose a question, Just for --- and giggles. If the speed limit for a cart is 19.5 and a cart is of course wide enought to carry two people right?

Then what is wrong with a bicycle that can maintain that speed and ride staggered next to each other.

If you ride single lane than it should be near the center of the cart trail. Riding on the curb edge allows those to pass while another cart is coming head on there by forcing the bicycle rider close to a dangerouse curb, grass or tree!

I always slow down and when safe wave a cart by that is behind us.

Just saying.

Your premise (just for your giggling) is incorrect. The speed limit on the PUBLIC ROAD for a golf cart is 20 mph. That speed limit does NOT transfer to the multi-modal trail. If a cart passes you on the trail going 30 mph, he cannot be picked up for speeding as that is a private pathway that is not in the authority of the police.

We can all co-exist on the trails just by using some common courtesy.

[GaryW]

Just for Note:

Different styles of Cycling: Leisure way of doing it, riding on a beach cruiser down the MM Path no helmet maybe 5 mph. The other is what you see most doing on the road, full gear keeping pace 20-23 mph or faster. That you can not do on MM path all the time. Most ride these paces for 40-50 miles or more. Thus ride on the roads.

Alot of cyclist break the laws of the roads yes,, but so do the cars, motorcycle, golf carts and so on. That is not the point. we all must share the roads. This is a retirement community I would think, not sure what all the hurry is about and swerving at cyclist. But this I do know. If a car swerved at a cyclist and you can prove it via video or multiple witness, It is a chargeable act. I witnessed a group of Kids going down B.Vista south past Old Mill do just that and throw stuff out the window at 2 cyclist. I was riding maybe 50 yards behind them trying to catch up to them. One of them fell off the bike. We called SCSO. They had no plate number. The Deputy did tell us that would be called road rage and can be charged as Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon depending on Injuries.

SCSO has said they will enforce laws of the road on all that travel the roads. It does happen alot in TV. I was traveling down Par Drive at 27 MPH. Limit is 25 MPH got yelled at for being on the road and holding up a car. Imagine that.

As far as using the MM Path, I took my Wife and Daughter out for a bike ride down the MMP from B. Vista to Morse. Ended up, My wife and Daughter got ran into from a cart trying to pass in the divided are before Laurel Valley, Daughter had to go to ER. Wife was banged up. We were moving about 18-19 MPH. SCSO wrote up incident report, but can not ticket due to Private Property. So what do you do. Dang if you do,, Dang if you do not.

[Mikiem]

I just had my third incident with criminal automobile drivers in the villages. Yes I say criminal, because what she attempted to do is criminal. On sun 12/3 I was riding my bike northbound on Buena Vista in the right lane as close to the side of the road as possible. A silver Nissan maxima 1989 or so came up behind me and started to lean on the horn. I turned and saw that there were no cars in the left lane, so this car had plenty of room to pass me, but instead proceeded to pull along side of me and tried to swerve into me while blowing her horn and waving her hand at me. She forced me over onto the grass, and I must say I was quite shaken up. I was unable to get a plate number as she drove away too quickly. All I know is that it was a woman approx 75 driving an older 1989(?) silver Nissan maxima. she also had a female passenger with her. This was about 2:30pm. It's a shame because one would think that at that age and gender this would not be proper behavior. I'm sorry I was not able to get a plate number to report to the police.

Bikes should not be on narrow roads in The Villages, especially in round abouts. I do not understand the logic of why people refuse to use the golf cart path that is much safer for bicycles. When there are a group of 15 or 20 bicycles taking up a lane on Morse and think this is OK because they are older now. Golf carts are not allowed over the bridge nor should bicycles be.

[Chazz]

... As for the idiot driver of the Nissan, she should be locked up.

Thanks for bringing this thread back to the original poster's issue. I sincerely hope that this person is apprehended before she does someone serious injury, or worse. Let's spread the word to be on the lookout for a late '80's or early '90's silver Nissan Maxima with a penchant for harassing bicyclists and street legal golf carts/LSVs. Perhaps someone can get a license plate and then get law enforcement to take action to protect the public from this woman.

[Chazz]

Bikes should not be on narrow roads in The Villages, especially in round abouts. I do not understand the logic of why people refuse to use the golf cart path that is much safer for bicycles. When there are a group of 15 or 20 bicycles taking up a lane on Morse and think this is OK because they are older now. Golf carts are not allowed over the bridge nor should bicycles be.

The logic is that it is legal for bicyclists to do so. Bicyclists have the same rights and responsibilities that other vehicle operators have. They are entitled to share the road, the same as motorized vehicles do. I believe that the general hostility from some drivers revolves around an unwillingness to share the road and, heaven forbid, be delayed a few seconds, during their trip. Many of these same disgruntled drivers have equal disdain for other motor vehicle operators who drive the posted speed limits or, slightly less.

[madeleinem1]

Thank you for advising us, will keep our eyes open.

[Mikiem]

:agree::agree:Why not ride on the multi modal path?

:agree::agree:

[perrjojo]

The logic is that it is legal for bicyclists to do so. Bicyclists have the same rights and responsibilities that other vehicle operators have. They are entitled to share the road, the same as motorized vehicles do. I believe that the general hostility from some drivers revolves around an unwillingness to share the road and, heaven forbid, be delayed a few seconds, during their trip. Many of these same disgruntled drivers have equal disdain for other motor vehicle operators who drive the posted speed limits or, slightly less.

:agree:
Anyone who thinks bicycles should be on the multimodal paths is obviously NOT a cyclist. People riding road bikes are usually going far too fast for the paths. As a former cyclist, I say, "Share the Road". It is considerate and it also happens to be the law.

[batman911]

The logic is that it is legal for bicyclists to do so. Bicyclists have the same rights and responsibilities that other vehicle operators have. They are entitled to share the road, the same as motorized vehicles do. I believe that the general hostility from some drivers revolves around an unwillingness to share the road and, heaven forbid, be delayed a few seconds, during their trip. Many of these same disgruntled drivers have equal disdain for other motor vehicle operators who drive the posted speed limits or, slightly less.

:agree:

[buggyone]

Gary W. wrote, "As far as using the MM Path, I took my Wife and Daughter out for a bike ride down the MMP from B. Vista to Morse. Ended up, My wife and Daughter got ran into from a cart trying to pass in the divided are before Laurel Valley, Daughter had to go to ER. Wife was banged up. We were moving about 18-19 MPH. SCSO wrote up incident report, but can not ticket due to Private Property. So what do you do."

Well, if your bikes were damaged; your daughter went to the ER; and your wife was banged up - and the Sheriff's Office wrote it up as an incident report - that is exactly why people have liability insurance on their golf cart. Definitely, that was the fault of the golf cart driver and you should have filed a hefty claim for all the damages plus damages for pain and suffering.

You probably would have created a safer golf cart driver in the process.

[rubicon]

I just had my third incident with criminal automobile drivers in the villages. Yes I say criminal, because what she attempted to do is criminal. On sun 12/3 I was riding my bike northbound on Buena Vista in the right lane as close to the side of the road as possible. A silver Nissan maxima 1989 or so came up behind me and started to lean on the horn. I turned and saw that there were no cars in the left lane, so this car had plenty of room to pass me, but instead proceeded to pull along side of me and tried to swerve into me while blowing her horn and waving her hand at me. She forced me over onto the grass, and I must say I was quite shaken up. I was unable to get a plate number as she drove away too quickly. All I know is that it was a woman approx 75 driving an older 1989(?) silver Nissan maxima. she also had a female passenger with her. This was about 2:30pm. It's a shame because one would think that at that age and gender this would not be proper behavior. I'm sorry I was not able to get a plate number to report to the police.

collections6; Perhaps she wasn't trying to hit you but was flirting with you and got too close. It is a law that there must be a three foot gap between bike and car. However given the narrow roads uilt here frustrate that effort. Heck how comfortable do you feel as a river when approaching a bike or golf cart wil on Morse, Rio Grande or Delmar.

By the way I had another jogger challenge me for the diamond lane on Canal forcing me to the middle of the road. My 6 year experience here concludes that some car drivers ignore carts especially at megers on diamond lanes trying to speed ahead of a golf cart. so the next time he or another jogger won't get off the diamond lane and onto a sidewalk or grass I going to come to a full stop and force the guy to go around me. I can't stands no more

[Chazz]

...By the way I had another jogger challenge me for the diamond lane on Canal forcing me to the middle of the road. My 6 year experience here concludes that some car drivers ignore carts especially at megers on diamond lanes trying to speed ahead of a golf cart. so the next time he or another jogger won't get off the diamond lane and onto a sidewalk or grass I going to come to a full stop and force the guy to go around me. I can't stands no more

Is there an "official" protocol on how this is supposed to work? Is the cart required to pass on the left, into the roadway, or is it the walker/jogger's responsibility to get onto the grass to get out of the way?

[LndLocked]

By the way I had another jogger challenge me for the diamond lane on Canal forcing me to the middle of the road. My 6 year experience here concludes that some car drivers ignore carts especially at megers on diamond lanes trying to speed ahead of a golf cart. so the next time he or another jogger won't get off the diamond lane and onto a sidewalk or grass I going to come to a full stop and force the guy to go around me. I can't stands no more

Joggers and walkers have as much legal right to be in a diamond lane as golf carts!! Do you actually expect them to go up into the grass (in what is most likely private property)!?!?!??!

[sueandskip]

It's going to be a long hot winter...old ladies trying to kill bicyclist. On another thread the OP said inebriated 90 year olds were spilling their drinks and trampling the flowers with their walkers and wheelchairs, and it's not even winter yet.

I hope when I.m 90 I am spilling my drink !

[graciegirl]

I hope when I.m 90 I am spilling my drink !

While dancin' on the table..............:coolsmiley:

[Cantwaittoarrive]

I hope when I.m 90 I am spilling my drink !

I hope when I'm 90 I'm causing issues by jogging in the diamond lane

[Cantwaittoarrive]

Is there an "official" protocol on how this is supposed to work? Is the cart required to pass on the left, into the roadway, or is it the walker/jogger's responsibility to get onto the grass to get out of the way?

It's no different than when you drive your car. If you are in your car and need to pass someone going slower than you, you don't expect them to pull over do you? You should wait until it is safe and then safely pass.

[GaryW]

Gary W. wrote, "As far as using the MM Path, I took my Wife and Daughter out for a bike ride down the MMP from B. Vista to Morse. Ended up, My wife and Daughter got ran into from a cart trying to pass in the divided are before Laurel Valley, Daughter had to go to ER. Wife was banged up. We were moving about 18-19 MPH. SCSO wrote up incident report, but can not ticket due to Private Property. So what do you do."

Well, if your bikes were damaged; your daughter went to the ER; and your wife was banged up - and the Sheriff's Office wrote it up as an incident report - that is exactly why people have liability insurance on their golf cart. Definitely, that was the fault of the golf cart driver and you should have filed a hefty claim for all the damages plus damages for pain and suffering.

You probably would have created a safer golf cart driver in the process.

That is what happened,, But they are still fighting with the Insurance. Besides that,, still unsafe on the MMP. Like a race tracks sometimes,,

[DebiR]

This is sad, ... and ridiculous! Bikes are allowed, and should be considered the same as other vehicles. Our kids are triathlon participants, and biking is part of their lives. I would be really upset if one of them was pushed off the road! Authorities of The Villages should make ALL drivers of ALL vehicles VERY AWARE that the roads are to be shared!!!!!!

[coach 67]

To many people,to many older people,to many people going to fast.

[CarGuys]

Your premise (just for your giggling) is incorrect. The speed limit on the PUBLIC ROAD for a golf cart is 20 mph. That speed limit does NOT transfer to the multi-modal trail. If a cart passes you on the trail going 30 mph, he cannot be picked up for speeding as that is a private pathway that is not in the authority of the police.

We can all co-exist on the trails just by using some common courtesy.

So a Bike or Cart or Scooter traveling faster than 20 cannot be ticketed on the paths correct? Thanks

[GaryW]

So a Bike or Cart or Scooter traveling faster than 20 cannot be ticketed on the paths correct? Thanks

According to SCSO who was at our deal with the Golf Cart, NO they can not be ticketed.
Now I have found out in the last couple of days that FHP can write a citation if bodily injury or property damage occurs. I need to check on this alittle more. But was told yesterday by a source that indeed that can happen.
As far as just speeding, on the big MMP they have no authority. I do know that SCSO had a meeting with The Villages on this issue with all the complaints accidents involving golf carts.

[tucson]

According to SCSO who was at our deal with the Golf Cart, NO they can not be ticketed.
Now I have found out in the last couple of days that FHP can write a citation if bodily injury or property damage occurs. I need to check on this alittle more. But was told yesterday by a source that indeed that can happen.
As far as just speeding, on the big MMP they have no authority. I do know that SCSO had a meeting with The Villages on this issue with all the complaints accidents involving golf carts.

What is SCOSO?

[tucson]

I meant SCSO

[graciegirl]

To many people,to many older people,to many people going to fast.

HEY! We like to think of ourselves as delightfully seasoned.....;)

Merry Christmas!

[GaryW]

I meant SCSO

Sumter County Sheriff Office

[tucson]

According to SCSO who was at our deal with the Golf Cart, NO they can not be ticketed.
Now I have found out in the last couple of days that FHP can write a citation if bodily injury or property damage occurs. I need to check on this alittle more. But was told yesterday by a source that indeed that can happen.
As far as just speeding, on the big MMP they have no authority. I do know that SCSO had a meeting with The Villages on this issue with all the complaints accidents involving golf carts.

Too many ppl here drink, take alot of meds, and drive golf carts and cars too fast and inconsiderately.