Can someone explain to me...
 

Today I was riding north on Charlotte in my cart and a jogger was running in the cart path (road) and further down the road a lady was walking in the cart path (road). There was a sidewalk with only individuals, not groups walking on the same side of the street. At least both individuals were moving against traffic. I do not understand the desire to be in the road/cart path and not on the sidewalk. Why do people do this?

You cannot fix stupid!

1) death wish

2) A desire to violate Florida law-----"Where sidewalks are provided, no pedestrian shall, unless required by other circumstances, walk along and upon the portion of a roadway paved for vehicular traffic [§316.130(3)]".

3) to pi$$ off everyone else

They're called organ donors

We call them the walking dead. Walking until someone runs into them. Best is we back up to road and see it numerous times everyday. Twilight and no reflective gear, is common. At 1:31 this morning a golf cart nearly hit someone walking their dog, along the road. Sidewalk just across the street. Some people should not be let out on their own.

I think it may have something to do with the fact that since they no longer have the restrictions and restraints of employment, they feel so free that they forget they aren't omnipotent. I constantly see golf carts not stop for stop signs. People tail the person in front of them closely and run a red light.

I think Darwin was on to something.

But if he were 100% right, none of the people we see doing those things would still be around. But I do think many of them survive due to DUMB luck

Yeah, but it's so unfair to the dog.

Yep. :ohdear:

If running, it could be because pavement is much kinder on the joints than cement. My coach at UCLA absolutely forbade anyone running on sidewalks, the laws be damned (and he was a lot scarier than any cop I ever met). Of course, most of us were smart enough to run against traffic and pop up to the sidewalk for a bicycle. Walking we could do on sidewalks. To stay on the path when someone is coming towards them is pretty inexcusable. To move with the flow of traffic is downright suicidal.

My Observations: Usually, the reason why people do things that they know they should not is because it is somehow easier for them (faster, more convenient, or they have always done it that way and have not had a bad outcome - yet), then there are some who don't realize there is a sidewalk at all.

We all need to learn to take our time, and take the safer option when one exists (life is not a race, it is a trip)... . and I suppose we need to allow for others who do not choose that option. Maybe we could stop and talk to those we see in harms way. We could express our sincere concern for their safety and wellbeing, then follow with a POLITE suggestion about the safer alternative to their current actions. We can take the higher road, and make more friends in the process.. just a thought.

Yes, I was a Boy Scout growing up... then a Scout Leader.

Have a safe day.

As for the runner, asphalt is significantly softer and has give unlike concrete. To test the theory, hit each surface with a hammer and see what happens.

OK, let's look at the statute again:

"Where sidewalks are provided, no pedestrian shall, unless required by other circumstances, walk along and upon the portion of a roadway paved for vehicular traffic [§316.130(3)]".

I'm sorry, but I don't see the part that states "unless you are a runner....."

I agree! I used to run myself and asphalt is easier in the knees. That answers the question, I think.

A woman died in Sunset Point doing this recently. RIP.

He was simply answering the question as to why they do it. I am a runner and I know that what he says is true. However, I run on the sidewalk.

Jonathan Toker, PhD, presents the scientific evidence behind surface hardness - stating that "the hardness difference between concrete and asphalt is insignificant when running in shoes, because the cushioning afforded by shoes far exceeds any cushioning provided by those surfaces."

Here, once an for all, is the proof that running on asphalt
has no advantage over concrete, since they are both
at least a thousand times harder than your running shoe.
References:
Epoxy Asphalt for Orthotropic Steel Bridge Decks | ChemCo Systems
http://physics.uwstout.edu/strength/tables/cyoungs.htm
Comp. modulus of elasticity, or Young's modulus for materials:
Rubber (average) = .4 (k.p.s.i.)
Composite Asphalt = 380
Wood (compression along grain) = 1,500
Concrete = 4,500
Steel = 30,000
Using these numbers, this is the percentage of energy that is
absorbed by a rubber-based shoe running over each of
these surfaces:
Shoe Surface
Asphalt 99.89% 0.11%
Wood 99.97% 0.03%
Concrete 99.99% 0.01%
Steel >99.99% 0.001%
In running shoes, training on concrete is like adding one
extra stride's worth of shock for every every thousand
strides that you would take on asphalt, or about one stride per mile.
Since the cushioning difference between any two shoe models
is much more that 0.01%, I submit that shoe choice, and not
surface choice, is the only thing that matters for injury prevention
on hard surfaces.

I agree with most that it seems like you are taking an unnecessary risk walking in the cart lane when there is a perfectly good sidewalk available. But I question the comments, "death wish" and "organ donars" since there are many streets in the Villages where there is no other place to walk. Is it somehow less risky to walk in the cart path when there is no sidewalk available? I think the risk is probably about the same.

Thanks, I just knew to myself that running on asphalt was easier on joints was BS.

Yep.


Facts matter. :ho:

There are plenty residential streets for a runner to use.

There, the traffic is at least slower moving and the runner is not jepardizing the golf cart lane.

If you were really wondering WHY they were doing so WHY didn't`t you ask them instead of asking for opinions on here ? You would have been more likely to get the answer to your question from the source of your aggravation .

Because they won't stop running to answer you. Or who wants to stop their car/t in the street to go ask a runner why s/he's not on the sidewalk? That solution becomes part of the problem.

Whereas on here, the runners who are not running at the time of your question might answer you.

Very simple explanation.
VILLAGE ENTITLEMENT ATTITUDE! L.O.L God i crack myself up~
:girlneener:

We saw a biker on the diamond lane the other day approaching a walker in same lane, facing traffic. The biker had to go into the car lane to avoid the walker. SMH There was a side-walk right next to the diamond lane and 'said' walker.

...

Exactly! :oops:

There was a woman walking on Delmar in the cart lane last night when we were leaving Spanish Springs. Fortunately, she had on a reflective vest and was carrying a big flashlight. There are NO sidewalks there. Then, when you factor in the type of traffic on the "multi-modal" paths, IMO, The Villages does not score well in "walkability."

Except......
When a driver of a car or cart encounters a road with no sidewalk (and usually no cart lane), THEN the walkers are permitted to walk in the road, and it is incumbent upon the driver to use extra caution. When the same car or cart is driving on a road with a cart lane and a sidewalk right next to it, the walkers ARE NOT entitled to be in the road, and may present an unexpected hazard, especially to carts and bicycles. So, IMHO, the risk is greater when the walker is breaking the law and has planted himself in a place where he SHOULD NOT BE.

I am a runner (40 years). I had an issue with my shins and back a number of years ago and asked the doctor about it. He stated that I should not run on concrete and run on pavement if at all possible. I did and the issues went away.
I have had a few people yell at me or stop in in the street telling me to get on the sidewalk (99% of the time the 'yellers' are between Jan and April). I called the Sheriff's department one morning after being yelled at. A deputy told me that I had the right to run in the cart path, he said that I need to run into the traffic in order to see the cars coming at me. When I run, I jump on the sidewalk or grass when a cart and car next to the cart are coming at me. But when it is just a cart, I stay in the cart lane.

Once again, bottom line, it is easier on the runner's body to run on pavement.

I agree with you and I think others have noticed the same thing.

In Fenny, the new rec centers seem to have very nice walking trails and there are paths along Fenny Way that do NOT allow carts because they have posts in place to keep carts off.

No other rules in the Villages are being enforced .
Why would they enforce this one #2 ?
Proper dress code for golf is only a suggestion these days.
years back you would be reprimanded and expelled even on practice green or driving ranges.
Now days cut offs, tank tops ,tee shirts are being ignored.
I'm not against casual dress it has it's place
.But some rules must be adhered to for tradition sake
teach proper etiquette and sportsmanship
My 3 year old grandson when knows he can't go putt without out wearing his Da-Da shirt

I know I'll be reprimanded for being off topic
But it's part of the big puzzle

And once again, bottom line, the statute states:

Where sidewalks are provided, no pedestrian shall, unless required by other circumstances, walk along and upon the portion of a roadway paved for vehicular traffic [§316.130(3)]". Which also proves the sheriff's deputy does not know the law either.

Great, another Deputy who doesn't know the laws he is supposed to enforce!

Say that a half-dozen times...really fast. :oops:

:D

Once again

1. As posted previously, it is a scientific certainty that you can not feel a difference between concrete and asphalt pavement while wearing any type of running shoe.

2. Using the cart path in the streets to walk or run if sidewalks are available is against the law.

Twice now coming around the corner Canal Street to Haynesville Way a couple walks with their back to the traffic,

Once at dusk and another in complete darkness??????