Bicyclists
 

So you're on a multi-modal path. That's great. You should have a helmet on, but hey that won't affect me one way or another if you lose control or crash into a car at an intersection, so that's all good.

HOWEVER

if I'm behind you, in a golf cart, and the speed limit is 20, and I'm going at a reasonable pace of 16-18mph, then please let me pass you. You were going only around 9mph when I got close. I went to pass you and instead of letting me, you sped up to over 12mph. That meant it would take me a lot longer to pass you, and that's unsafe since it's a 2-way multi-modal and only enough room on it for 2 golf carts passing each other - not 2 golf carts and a bicycle.

It wouldn't have been TOO bad, if it was just as far as the stop sign.

But you went all the way from Buena Vista on the Camino Real path, all the way to Paige Place, refusing to allow me to pass you while you continued to speed up and slow down - almost as if you were daring me to go fast enough to succeed safely (which was not possible). You also rode your bike RIGHT THROUGH those stop signs. Every single one of them. On one, you didn't even slow down. You were going 12 mph right through it. That was the entry to one of the villages near the Savannah center.

Don't do that, guy. And wear a helmet if you value your safety because one of these days, the person behind you won't be me. It'll be someone who doesn't give a damn about anyone but his own convenience.

I'm not sure how a bicyclist is to "let" you pass them. If the multi-modal path is 2-lane, then you just pull out into the oncoming lane (assuming traffic allows) and pass them. If the multi-modal path is 1-lane (there are many areas where they split into two 1-lane paths), then there isn't room in that single lane for your golf cart, a bicyclist and the three feet of clearance that you are required to have by law to be able to pass them. Are you asking them to leave to path to allow you by? Usually, these single-lane sections are relatively short and even if a bicycle isn't going all that fast, you're surely not inconvenience by more than a minute or so. Are you in that much of a hurry?

By the way, the same thing is true for automobiles on roads. In areas where there is a single lane and no multi-modal (or "diamond") path, that lane isn't wide enough for a car or truck, a bicyclist and the minimum three feet of clearance. By law, the driver of the car or truck must yield to the bicyclist and not pass them until there is adequate room, which means either the road is back to two lanes or there is again a multi-model path or bicycle lane for the bicyclist to pull into.

And while there may be some jerks on bicycles who do actively slow down to frustrate drivers, they are in the minority I'm sure. If they are slowing down, it's usually because the road or path has changed inclination to become somewhat uphill. The differences may be so small as to be barely noticed in a motorized vehicle but on a vehicle powered by older human legs, it can definitely slow you down.

If I was on the bike, I would have slowed down and waived the golf cart to pass me, very easy to do.

I'll try to be more clear.

When I first spotted him ahead of me as I was approaching, he was going only around 9mph. At that speed it would've been easy and safe for me to pass him without worrying about being on the wrong side of the path, if oncoming traffic was approaching while I was already on the wrong side of the path.

Instead of allowing me to just get over to that side of the path and pass him - he sped up - t0 12mph. When you're only going 15-18mph in the first place, that 3mph jump in speed for the person in front of you is enough to make it MUCH more risky to try and pass.

He waited until I had already started accellerating (trying to get up to 20mph) and had moved over in preparation to pass him when he sped up.

There was no hill that he was speeding up to try and get over (which is what I and many other cyclists do when I'm getting near an incline). There was no one ahead of him that he might've been trying to catch up to. There was no reason for him to speed up, at that moment, except to prevent me from passing him.

If he had been going 15-18mph I wouldn't have tried. That's a reasonable speed for 20mph multimodal path. But he wasn't even going 10mph when I started trying to pass him. That was WHY I tried to pass him. And he was still going under 15 when he sped up.

When I gave up trying, he slowed down. So I started to speed up again (thinking maybe I could pass him afterall now that he slowed down again) - and he sped up. Except when it was time to go across the entrance to the village off El Camino behind the Savannah Center. He went straight through it without slowing down at the stop sign.

He was irresponsible, and he was trying to instigate - something. I don't know what. All it resulted in was me being annoyed that he was being rude and inconsiderate. Fortunately for him, I'm not some kind of yahoo with a road rage problem.

not sure what was happening in this instance , however in view of our current circumstances many more people are using the mullti modal paths including walkers, bikers and golf carts as people want to get out and go for a ride , a walk etc.. As an avid biker I have noticed many more riders out on the paths many who may have not been on a bike in a while. There are many hazards for bikers that many non riders may not be aware of. First there is usually a groove to the right side between the pavement and the concrete curbing and many times an additional groove exists where the landscappers edge . A bicycle moving to far to the right risks a fall if their tires enter this groove. In addition many times there are branches and palms the extend out into the path many times at face level. The split lanes are the most dangerous and there have been several serious incidents where golf carts have attempted to pass a biker on these narrow lanes and the cart has hit the left curb causing the cart to vear right and hit the biker. Carts should not attempt to pass bikers in these split lanes, they should wait until they reach a wider area. All this said, bikers should be aware of their surroundings ( have a mirror) and allow carts to pass when safe.

My rules of bike riding on a MMP...

* Ride a hybrid bike (NOT a road bike) so you can SAFELY go into the grass when necessary or desired;

* Check traffic behind you when approaching a divided (single lane in each direction) section. If carts approaching, adjust speed so they can get around you prior to divided section;

*When on full width busy section, stay centered in your lane until adequate open space in front for a pass. Then go to extreme right of your lane, making it obvious you are letting carts behind you pass;

*As appropriate on any MMP section, use your hybrid to go into the grass to let carts pass. You’ll be safe and the cart riders passing you will appreciate your actions.

Primary motivation for all these is self-preservation. The fact that it’s a courtesy to cart drivers is just a nice fringe benefit. :)

Does your golf cart have a very piercing horn like mine does? I would have laid on the horn until he stopped playing those games by speeding up and slowing down.

Me too. He’d be deaf by now if he isn’t already.

If you can’t pass a bike with your golf cart, you either need a new golf cart or you need to learn how to drive the one you have. Really? You couldn’t pass a bicycle??.??

Sorry but I disagree. I have been riding the MM path mentioned, several times a week for almost a year. I have a Cannondale road bike and I have never even begun to have a problem. I stay to the right of the path and let carts pass me on the left, of course when there are no other carts coming in the other direction. It is not necessary at all to ride up onto the grass to let carts pass. Doing so would be more dangerous as there could be tree debris, squirrels, etc., which could cause a bicyclist to lose their balance.

Unfortunately, there are inconsiderate and even arrogant cyclists out there. These few make it harder for the rest of us who actually try to cooperate with all other kinds of vehicles. They also seem to fuel the anti-biker sentiments too many drivers already have.

Truth to be told though, these attitudes and actions are definitely NOT restricted to cyclists.

WOW
I can see Cabin Fever is setting in on the Villages

The Admiral was passing thru the Pinellas gate, all of a suddenly a bicyclist passed her on the right & pulled directly in front of her-lucky she's a lady & doesn't drive like me--guarantee the horn on her car is way louder than the horn on a golf cart --to the rider wearing the green outfit--if you keep it up its going to be tough riding with one leg

Oh wow this one really got my attention. I have never seen a biker purposely keep a cart from passing? I ride my bike three or four times a week on the very path that you have mentioned. Anytime a golf cart comes up behind me, I get over to the right as far as I can, and I even stop peddling to sort of give them the signal that you need to just come on by me. In some cases even wave them past. This is what it is done by probably most of the bikers out there. Trust me, we don’t play games with golf carts or cars as we will lose. Now, what I can tell you for sure is there are golf carts out there that don’t like the bicycles being on that path. I have had a golf cart come right between myself and some walkers at probably 23 or 24 miles an hour, close enough that either of us could’ve reached out and touched the cart. They didn’t care that they were that close! Courtesy goes both ways. Another thing that I have found to be a bit dangerous is the fact that an electric cart can come up behind you and be right on top of you and you don’t even know it. It would be nice to give just a little beep as you’re approaching to let the bicyclist know you’re behind them. From what I’ve seen 99% of the time sharing the path is never a problem.

This wasn't a split lane. I wasn't suggesting that the cyclist move over. I was suggesting that he NOT SPEED UP whenever I tried to pass him.

Either go at a reasonable steady pace for a 20mph speed limit, or go slowly enough that people who WANT to go that steady pace can pass you.

Exactly. That's why it was such an odd thing that I felt I should share it. I worry that this virus is bringing out the worst in people, as well as the best. I'm a cyclist too and understand the unwritten courtesies involved in sharing the path with golf carts. You just don't speed up when you KNOW the vehicle behind you is trying to pass you. It's just a really wrong, stupid thing to do.

Maybe that guy should leave home a little earlier for his tee time

Agree, this is what I do as well. I keep right and have been passed by many carts with no issues. Must we over analyze everything? You know common sense and courtesy still go a long way, even in these crazy times.

Agree. Sounds like this guy was just playing games, but on a bicycle it could be lose-lose scenario.

But it's not just cyclists. Ever come up on a cart going 12 mph in the cart lane....until you pull out on the main road to pass and he speeds up to 22. You drop back behind him and he slows back down to 12?

Ever come up on some yahoo doing 35 in a 55 zone on a 2 lane road, pull out in the opposite lane when it's safe to pass and he speeds up to 70, again, only to slow back down to 35 when you fall back behind him.

Some drivers, regardless of their vehicle, are _____(you fill in the blank)

I guess they have the same philosophy as the guy who posted "if you pass someone reading a label in a one way aisle at Publix, you're cutting the line" (But I've never seen anyone reading a label drop the box on the ground, grab their cart and run down the aisle so you can't pass)

That is the reason my cart will do 32mph. not that I drive that fast I drive 20/22 mph just to be able to pass at will for so called hot shoe cart and cyclist that can ride 20+ mph

Don't get caught by a LEO with that cart----they'll pretty much throw the book at you.

I suggest the deputies who are patrolling the area and like to congregate in parking lots be out on the road or maybe watching those areas where we do have stop signs and start ticketing people driving bikes or golf carts for not stopping at the stop signs. Just a reminder my friend got fined $300 for not stopping at a stop sign while driving his golf cart!

Perhaps this is slightly off topic, but what is with the golf carts that have been re-tuned to go at ungodly speeds. The other day, I was driving in a car along Morse Boulevard north of 466. A golf cart with New York plates and a Fire Department logo (not a street legal Florida plate), was pulling into the car lane to pass other golf carts. I was going at about 30-32 mph, but she was keeping right up with me. I had to speed up a little to pass her, but I try to stay within a few miles per hour of the 30 mile limit, for safety sake and to keep my record clean ( no violations for over 50 years ). I also feel better when I drive at around the speed limit: less stressed, more relaxed. Why are so many people in such a rush around here? I see many cars driving well over the speed limit, perhaps 40 mph or even more. When they catch up to you, some will even hang on your tail for a mile or two.

I ride both a bike and drive a cart daily. In eleven years here I have never encountered a rude biker like described here. But I have encountered many many rude Cart drivers. These wanna be high school hot toddlers have their carts tuned to 35 mph. They pass you on blind corners and at tunnels where there is no sight distance. Doesn’t matter if you are in a cart or on a bike. They pass on the blind corners going into intersections so they can be ahead of you sitting at the stop sign. I now avoid the path between Evans Praire and Pinnelas because so many carts have passed or tried to pass into the dip where the tunnel is. There is no sight distance and they can’t see if an oncoming cart is in the dip. In addition a cart can enter the path from the tunnel or Kiideer golf course and you can’t see them. On the blind corners going into intersection I have been passed where the offending cart runs both me into the bushes and the oncoming cart off the trail. Not long ago in my cart I was passed on a blind corner by an old fool going who knows how fast as I was driving as fast as was comfortable given the corner. Had there been an oncoming cart this nimrod would have likely had a head on or swerved back into my lane and caused a wreck in that way. Slow down, it’s a multimodal path, be courteous, hey we’re retired. Being a user of both bike and cart bikes don’t bother or scare me but many cart drivers do. Many are extremely inconsiderate.

How many cyclist?
 

i was not there so I cannot access exactly what the cyclist were doing. Reading OP's version (which I am not disputing), I am curious how many cyclist there were, riding one behind each other.

If it were 3-4+, then I can see how that would be harder to pass, but one or two? I have never been in a scenario where I can not pass anything going 12 mph safely on the multi modal paths.

PS. I do not have a "souped up" cart.

Well, well, well, and people thought that it was only the golfers that acted like they were entitled! I'll bet this 'biker' hangs out in the passing lane on the highway doing exactly the speed limit too....ha, we know their type

tough to have been stuck behind such a selfish jerk....but, hey they all wear funky colored outfits (that in a lot of neighborhoods up north you'd get the sh*t kicked out of you for wearing) and those tight fitting shorts help them sing those high notes on karaoke night...so what did ya expect anyway

I wonder if this very same thing was happening back in the Roman days when chariots encountered walkers on those Roman Roads?

Could this have also been happening when the automobile first came out and encountered slower traveling horse drawn buggies?

you see where I'm going with this....

this has been going on forever... I'll bet that there's some DNA identifier that we could test for at birth...and if you had it we could send you to behavioral modification classes....

I'm not at the point to say that we prohibit any couple where both sexes carry that DNA marker from marrying or procreating … but let's not take anything off the table just yet until we learn more :icon_wink::icon_wink::icon_wink:

I'm glad there are nicer cyclists out there that will get over to the right to let a golf cart pass. My experience, however, is that most cyclists DO speed up just as I am going to pass them ...especially if there is a divide coming up, and then they slow down. It's aggressive on their part, and frustrating for the cart driver..I'm sure they drive a cart too...and I'm sure they are pretty aggressive in the cart when confronted with the same situation. Just be nice!

Get ready for the E-Bike revolution coming soon.
These bikes do 20+ easily.
Will this help or exacerbate the situation?

I'm an advid biker and use the MMPs often. The only time I speed up when there is a cart behind me is if it is unsafe for me to pull over or unsafe for the cart to pass because of an oncoming cart or curve. I speed up so as not to inconvenience the cart. As soon as I see a safe straight away, I slow down, pull as far right as I can and wave the cart on. I've never had anyone in cart not say thank you to me when passing. It's simple. It's called being considerate, sharing and safe. Watch for carts and bikers that don't use turn signals. They are likely the ones to be inconsiderate of others.

Did you actually read his post? The guy was doing 9mph and then sped up when he tried to pass. That’s a dips**t move no matter how you slice it.

What bothers me consistently is the bikers who do NOT stop at STOP signs! In the 4 years I've lived here I have seen exactly one who did. It does make me very unhappy with bikers and watchful when we come to a stop sign as i'm not certain what might happen. I am not against bikers on the MM paths or the street and I like to ride my bike. I stop at stop signs and obey all rules - why can't others? It's not that hard!

Let's face it, the guy was simply a jerk! I would have run him off the path,
if he antagonized me the way he did with you.

Yep. I guess people are going stir crazy living through this virus. Nothing of more importance to complain about besides not being able to pass a bike? Seriously?? Took me awhile to type this since I was laughing so hard.

Why use the modal paths bikers USE THE ROADS THEY ARE ALMOST EMPTY

I did not see one comment about going thru stop signs. Share the road means a bike gives way if possible. If I get in front of you and slow down so you can not go as fast as you want I would be called some names.

I have passed many a golf cart while riding my road bike. I almost always go as fast as I can. And, yes, I slow down and speed up as the terrain and wind dictate. It takes an almost unnoticeable change in the incline to change my speed between 15 and 20 mph. A bigger change can cause me to slow to 10 mph. I’ve broken 30 on some roads (like those east of Sumter Landing) when going down a steep hill.

But, I am going to go as fast as I can unless I am approaching one of the many splits on the MMPs. If I know I won’t be able to maintain at least 18 mph I slow down and wave the cart by.

I have also been in situations in my golf cart where someone in a cart was going 16-18 and there was a handful of carts stuck behind for a very long time. It is FAR easier and SAFER for a cart to pull over than for a bike. You mentioned you were going below 20 (16-18?). Do you pull over when carts approach you from behind?

So, in summary, there are times when I have to wait for you and times when you have to wait for me. That’s just life and you’re going to have to deal with the fact that the universe isn’t going to optimize itself to maximize your benefit.

I was behind you and let me say, you seemed to be looking to start something. You had ample opportunities to pass the cyclist and instead you chose to tailgate . He tried twice to let you pass and only after you didn't did he speed up. You made me so nervous with your tirade that I ended up passing both of you. The cyclist had the right of way as long as he was in front and you took it upon yourself to harass him for whatever reason. Are you just bored or just mad at cyclist. They have a right to be there and you could have passed many times. I was so angry at you when I finally passed you both that I wanted to call the police on you. You could have gone on up the road in the beginning and avoided all that tension. You were a real jerk!

OBB, I agree completely. As a lifetime member of Adventure Cycling, I was ecstatic (almost) to move to TV & flat FL where there are innumerable biking opportunities. Personally, I ALWAYS slow down when a cart is behind me so that it can pass - common sense as I cannot pedal as fast as the cart wants to go. Cars & carts weigh a lot more than my bike & I don't want to meet any of them.

I know the rules of the road but ALWAYS allow for the possibility 1)the other guy doesn't know the rules or 2) chooses not to follow the rules. Let's be safe out there. And thank you for your patience with this annoying cyclist.

I can’t wait for the response to the above post.

Right on, right on.
 

Right on, right on.