Pedestrian Traffic on Multi-Modal Paths in Southern Region of Villages
 

I have a question about pedestrians walking on the multi-modal paths. Specifically, in which direction should they walk - against vehicular traffic or in the same direction as vehicular traffic?

I ask the question because while watching the portion of the Golf Cart Safety Video on the VHA website, it shows pedestrians walking in both directions - one with pedestrians facing oncoming golf carts and the other shows a couple walking with their backs towards approaching vehicular traffic (see attached screen shot).

I realize that the ideal answer would be to walk within neighborhood streets or on pedestrian trails, but there is a large portion of the multi-modal path running along the turnpike with limited numbers of carts for now. However, there are a large number of bicycles along that portion of the multi-modal path. I would rather walk towards oncoming traffic so I can see the hazard rather than have approaching from behind.

Thanks in advance.

I think it was the first grade, "walk on left facing traffic". Some have just forgot...…...

It's just like driving a car. Stay to the right. 95% of the people do this, it's dangerous to walk against the flow onto incoming pedestrian, bike and golf car traffic.

Maybe in Australia, not here

This so wrong in so many ways!

Congrats!!! You've got it 100% WRONG.:boom:

:bigbow:

Steve

We live in Osceola Hills and often drive down to Marsh Bend to walk the trail around Hogeye.

Along the part that goes along the MMP, we always walk facing the golf cart traffic.

The rest of the trail is for walkers, runners, and bikers only. They used to have these flimsy poles to show that carts were not supposed to be on these trails, but some of the inconsiderate cart riders would drive on them anyway. As a result, the management had to install some very substantial poles and large rocks to make it almost impossible for carts to go on these trails. Good!

Morning walk
 

I have been taking a morning walk each day since activities have stopped. Most people walk facing traffic. One couple with their dog was walking with traffic. As I approached them, I mentioned that walking against traffic was considered to be safer. They told me that their dog decided what side of the street to walk. Another couple with a dog was walking again with traffic. I didn't say anything to them. They volunteered that they knew they were walking on the wrong side of the road but walked where their dog led them. I thought people had higher IQ's than dogs. Evidently I was wrong.

I doubt if they got hit and injured, that their dogs
would come visit them in the hospital.

Now that is funny! How easy it must be to lead people who even a dog can lead?

Florida Statutes
 

http://www.leg.state.fl.us/statutes/.../0316.130.html

If there is a sidewalk you must walk on it and not in the road.

If there is no sidewalk you must walk on the left, facing oncoming traffic.

You walk on the left side facing the traffic, that way you can see what’s coming at you and get out of the way if necessary. I would never walk with my back to oncoming traffic and assume people passing me will do so safely. Especially with electric carts that I can’t hear coming until it would be too late.

The only exception I would make is walking the golf cart bridge over 441. I would walk with traffic going up and against going down.

Steve

I would never walk across that bridge...very dangerous and narrow

I have often been tempted to ask people who are walking in the same direction as traffic if they grew up in a city that had sidewalks everywhere. I did but I remember being taught at a very young age to always walk against traffic if you are in the country and there are no sidewalks.

Here is a real life incentive for you to walk against traffic. Just this afternoon, I was walking in the MMP lane on Rio Grande against traffic. Perfectly clear, beautiful day. I saw a golf cart about a quarter mile away coming towards me. I moved over all the way to the left against the curb even though there was no traffic on the road at all and the golf cart could easily go around me by going in the road. I was wearing red workout shorts and a lime green shirt and I am not a small guy. This guy just kept driving straight toward me. When he got about 20 yards from me I started clapping my hands and yelling at him, he kept coming so I jumped up onto the grass. Finally, when he was maybe 10 feet from me he finally noticed me and swerved into the street. If I had been walking with traffic, I wouldn't have seen this guy coming up from behind and would not have warned him. There is a good possibility he would have run me over.

As stated above, walking facing traffic is the safest choice.

Btw, when riding your bike, riding w/traffic is the safer choice. In that case, the bigger danger is people making right turns onto the roadway you are traveling from side streets. By habit, drivers entering a road and making a right turn will look for traffic coming from their left... if you are riding against traffic, they frequently will not look for/see you approaching them from their right (riding against traffic). Often with fatal consequences.

Some dogs are stubborn and leader of the pack,

And be ready to step off onto grass for you’re own safety, you don’t want to be dead right.:faint:

Especially when carts come off top!

You must also drive on the left side of roads and highways.

You probably are.

I always walk facing traffic. That way I can look the driver who is going to wipe me out in the eye.

Walk towards traffic.
 

Yep, First grade, is where they taught this, in the US and in UK.

Always walk on the left, towards traffic. Always!!!!! It's Florida law. You can look it up. I did. You need to see what is coming towards you so you can get out of the way if it becomes obvious the car doesn't see you. Just hearing the car behind you does not tell you if it is about to run you over. I learned this as a child. It is so much safer to see what it coming towards you. Bikes travel with traffic. Pedestrians walk against traffic!!

Very few walkers adhere to the sidewalk rules, how can a herd of walkers carry on their conversations if they're not alongside each other(about a year ago a woman was killed doing the same thing)--viewed three women walking in total darkness this morning on Tamarind Grove Run, two were on the road one was on the sidewalk, a plus for them, they were lit up like a Christmas tree--I was driving to my mail box

The video you are referencing is from the VHA. It is for safety and training purposes and they got it wrong. The VHA needs to hear from all of us. Walking on the right with your back toward traffic is for those who have a death wish. Showing that on a safety video is unacceptable.

The woman who was killed had her back to traffic and was hit by a golf cart

always face the traffic...why is this even a question

I find it odd that walkers sometimes seem to take an 'entitled' attitude and fearlessly try to demonstrate that they have the right of way

dumb....car, truck, cart, tractor, bike, whatever coming at ya...jump the heck out of the way and live to talk about it

otherwise you may have been in the right, but you'll be dead right

No,no,no when walking always go against the traffic. Remember some carts are electric and very quiet as are bicycles. If you don’t hear the vehicle how can to avoid it? We were taught at a young age ,if no sidewalk is available always walk against the traffic for safety

I'd hitch a ride!

In the Chicago area, we walk with the traffic at our back. Down here, people walk with the traffic facing them and coming at them, which is a much better idea, frankly. That way you can see the traffic coming toward you.

Walkers and joggers always move against cart flow. Dont count on cart drivers seeing you, because some wont and they will run right over you.

Walking on the left, facing traffic is not a matter of opinion or choice (or your dog’s choice). It is Florida Law.

I skipped first grade

In my first year in TV, I was walking on the multi-modal path on the right side. Up north, along bike/ped trails, the rule of the National Park Service is to walk on the right. So,that is what I was doing. A fellow walker on the opposite side of the multi-modal stopped me and she suggested I walk facing traffic. She used a very good example. She pointed out that many of the cart drivers in TV are old and may not see that well. Indeed, some may have lost their driving privileges because of their vision. She simply asked, "Would you really rather see such a driver coming to you....or would you like to hear a cart slide up behind you when it slams on its brakes just before hitting you?" Her point was well taken and is the same direction we had as kids: Walk against traffic! Shame on the National Park Service!

Are they trying to reduce the population? :icon_wink:

Pedestrian Traffic on Multi-Modal Paths in Southern Region of VillagesReply to Thread
 

Here's a twist to consider.

I run on the MMP daily. I always run facing oncoming traffic. I've observed a lot of cart driver behaviors while out there. Here are couple of suggestions for safety and enjoyment of all...

1.) I suggest that the distance allowed for runners/walkers should be the same as for passing a biker - 3 feet. I very much appreciate when carts allow a lot of room when passing, and when they do I smile and wave my thanks.

2.) Often carts expect runners/walkers to get completely off the MMP. Please, please don't force a runner/walker into the grass. It is VERY difficult for a runner/walker to get all the way to the edge of the MMP BECAUSE the concrete and the bituminous are at different levels and the concrete is too narrow for two foot plant. It is also VERY difficult to run in the grass. These are trip hazards, and at our age, we have to limit those as much as possible.

3.) I have noticed that in the DIVIDED areas of the MMP (one way sections), carts are reluctant to move to the inside (high curb side) for fear of hitting the curb. I often switch sides of THAT one way lane, still facing traffic, in these areas so that I am running nearest the raised curb, on the driver side of the road. I have found drivers are more willing to increase the space as they pass me.
Yes, I have gotten a few strange looks when I do this, but also get a lot more room when being passed. Again, I ONLY do this on the DIVIDED parts of the MMP.

4.) With the social distancing rule of 6 feet, when I meet another runner/walker on a sidewalk, one of us will usually move either stepping into the road in the cart lane, or if possible onto the grass. The one facing traffic should be the one to step into the cart lane if no cart is coming, then return to the sidewalk ASAP.

I will say that for the most part cart drivers are pleasant and considerate.

Let's all stay safe and be kind to one another!

Thanks!

We had tried walking the multi-modal paths but decided to just stick to sidewalks. Having to cross the street a few times to keep going just felt safer than the mm paths. Even walking against traffic on them felt dangerous to us. It was clear that many cart drivers were really annoyed when they came upon us, and we found ourselves stepping off the path often to let the cart pass. Plus we could rarely walk next to each other to talk comfortably. We would NEVER walk those paths on the right, that’s just a death wish.