Cart Lane Safety issue
 

We just returned from our home in TV and was concerned about the number of walkers that are walking facing traffic but they are on the cart lanes. I am refereing to the cart lanes that run right next to as yroad way and not the larger cart trails that are away from the streets. These walkers sometimes walk two abreast and don't seem to want to move over or in single file as you approach them from the other direction in your cart. I do understand that pedistrians always have the right of way however, there are sidewalks, though they may be on the other side of the street, they could walk on. This causes the cart traffic to swing out into the car lanes to give the walkers their room. I guess my question is should the walkers stay on the sidewalks as opposed to walking in the cart lanes? As the winter season brings more and more people and possibly more and more walkers, I am only concerned about the safety aspects of this situation,

I have walked the multi-paths and the street facing the traffic. Thirty years experience with vehicles have taught me to always watch them coming toward me. I will not have traffic come from behind me as I have almost been run-over by drunk or careless drivers. I will walk sidewalks where available.

Rule of the road, wheeled traffic travels in same direction, slower vehicles keeping to the right, and walkers face traffic.

I see people walking in the golf cart lane when the sidewalk is right there next to the cart path. I was wondering if the sidewalk cement was harder on their legs than the asphalt. I don't know. I'm looking for a reasonable explanation when I see crazy behavior. Hey, does that make me a GracieGirl groupie? I hope so..... :bowdown:

We have questioned that so often. Why would walkers walk in the golf cart lane when there is a sidewalk right next to them. It happens all the time and is dangerous. Wish someone could enlighten me.

My guess is they don't like having to go up and down the curbing at the cross streets.

Risk not worth taking
 

The attitude of walkers I've seen doing this seems defiant. Like an ant shaking its fist at an elephant.

Cart Lane Walkers
 

This morning as the sun was coming up, I was traveling in my cart down Canal St when in front of me were two women walking down the cart lane towards me. The sidewalk was just next to them and there was no one on the sidewalk. I slowed down as I approached them in the twilight. A car was coming on from my back. One of the walkers in a jogging outfit stepped over the curb and onto the sidewalk. The other person stayed on the cart lane facing me. I slowed and then swerved out into the car lane just as the car passed us. As I went past the two women, I yelled out, "Please, walk on the sidewalk." One women yelled out something I could not make out. I would imagine it was something not complementary.

I can't understand why people insist on walking or running down the cart lane, when an available sidewalk is right next to them. Could someone who walks down the cart lane please explain this?

I can only imagine that they took the old bumper sticker seriously. You know, the one that said, "If you don't like my driving, get the hell of the sidewalk!"

Step on a crack, break your mother's back . . . ?

Maybe what we cart drivers should do is NOT swerve into the street, but instead calmly stop driving and smile sweetly while making the walkers go around us?

But I guess that would only work in the summer when there are only a few carts out and about.

Proving their point
 

You have to wonder about the common sense of somebody who's willing to risk being hit by a four-wheel vehicle in order to prove a point.

Sometimes I think they're trying to prove the point that they are "healthier" than cart or car drivers, by exercising for an hour--going nowhere in particular . . while people in carts and cars are going to a destination at a certain time.

Some things don't make sense:
1. People who are physically capable of moving fast and when they see a car coming, they still walk or stand in the path of the car daring you to hit them.
2. People who ride bycicles going with the traffic instead of facing oncoming traffic, (much safer).
3. People who have a perfectly good sidewalk to walk on and put themselves and others in danger by walking in the street.

My guess is that it is a human nature thing in that people want to do what they want and the heck with the rules and or safety. It concerns me that someone doesn't think the person in the vehicle may be distracted and or not paying attention or could be under the influence.

I sometimes think they will be inspecting the axles of a cart someday. It sure could be painful.

Maybe they are a lawyer or know a good lawyer.

I sure hope they don't find out the hard way.

Laws governing bicycle operation mandate that bicycles travel in the same direction as traffic. It is extremely confusing for a motorist to have a bicycle coming head on at him in the same lane of traffic.

Talk Host;

I stand corrected.

walkers
 

The road is easier on one's legs than the sidewalks. People do it for the same reason golfers who walk walk on the grass not the cart path. I don't care where they walk but have to walk facing traffic !!! I want to stop when I see them walking on the wrong side and yell at them, "Are you crazy".

Last Tuesday I entered the tunnel under 466 (at the CR 101 intersection) and came up behind about a dozen pedestrians walking two abreast with their backs to the traffic. They were spaced far enough apart I didn't dare pass them for fear another cart could enter approaching me. They were completely oblivious to their situation.

I have no idea where they were going or were they had been. They were all well dressed in business attire.

The Belvedere tunnel can be dangerous. If you are wearing sun glasses, better remove them when entering the tunnel. It is NOT brightly lit!

The tunnel is close to the Charter Schools, and kids often use the tunnel walking several abreast with their backs to traffic.

There is a pedestrian crossing on CR 466. Methinks the kids are just being a bit rebellious. Please watch out for them.

i don't advocate walkers not moving out of the way of golf cart traffic but yes, the asphaltroad cart trail lanes are easier on aging joints than the cement sidewalks or older village recreation trails.

I'm a cyclist and when I'm riding I'm riding WITH the flow of traffic.I am considered a vehicle.I have side view mirrors that allow me to see traffic behind me.

a good friend of mine was killed last year riding his bike with the flow of traffic, he never saw the car coming since it hit him from behind, if he had been riding against the flow he may still be alive today, I realize the recommendation might be to ride with the flow of traffic, but I choose to ride against the flow, I want to see what is coming at me, I choose to increase my odds of avoiding a collision, life is about choices....gn

The recreational trails are just that - trails for all recreational users:, bikers, walkers, golf carts, joggers, etc., to share. That said, there are so many really aggressive golf cart drivers out there, I'm very careful on the trails, watching my mirrors all the time to see where the traffic is. The golf carts seem to think they own the road. Not!

Recreational Trails vs Cart Lanes on Street...
 

Taj44;
I believe you have mixed the use of the "Rec Trails" useage with the original post over safety concerns on the on street "Cart Paths" that are a part of the street. I don't know their legal name or designation. I agree with you on the trails. They are wider and not near the traffic and walkers, runners and bikers are not as great of a safety concern. Both golf carts as well as the pedistrians that use them have room to move over and thus allow a safe distance between them as they pass each other. However, the designated cart lanes, the ones that butt up to the vehicle roadway are really an accident waiting to happen to a walking or running pedistrian at some point in the future.

Wonder what would hurt those walkers more; the hard sidewalk surface or the undercarriage of a golf cart rolling over them? A little common sense somehow should apply. Why should rules that have always made sense in our prior existence suddenly be over-ruled just because we are in The Villages. When possible, feet go on sidewalks and wheels on streets.

yes, you guessed it, the roadway is much easier on the feet.

It is my understanding that "all" paths south of 466 are multi modal paths which means the paths along the roadways are not "golf cart" specific. They are "Share the Road". Yes, cement is harder on your knees, etc. than asphalt.

Cart Lane Safety Issue
 

To repeat my post of earlier this year ... Running/racewalking helps with my weight control. I use the multimodal paths for the following reasons: 1) Paths are blacktop vs concrete and, believe it or not, your knees/hips can tell the difference after 5 miles; 2) Too many people walking 2-3 abreast or walking their dogs think they shouldn't have to move over for runners/racewalkers. Dogs on leases are given a long span and can trip you up. Moving to grass is risky because of holes, uneveness, etc; 3) When meeting a golf cart/biker, I always move to the concrete apron (on the street paths) til we pass. There is plenty of room for us to meet/pass but I try not to crowd carts; 4) During my run I look for & pick up construction nails. I usually find at least 6 or more, so I'm saving folks from flat tires; 5) If I try moving up on sidewalk for every cart I meet, I risk tripping and breaking my wrist (again); 6) As a pedestrian, no one should have the right to run me over even if I were in the wrong place. I usually get at least one "grouchy geezer" a run yelling at me to "Get on the sidewalk." Folks, lets be nice to each other. Enjoy the ride - death is our next big adventure!!

For what it is worth - Two friends of mine (one of which is a medical doctor) walk on the road and claim the asphalt is easier on the legs.

Try this golf cart instead.. http://www.strangeracer.com/content/item/134916.html