Multi Modal Path Usage - other than golf carts.
 

The Villages descriptions of a multi modal path includes sharing with pedestrians.

Can someone please explain to me why the majority of golf carts do not want to share the path with pedestrians or bicycles. It’s not that difficult.



From the villages website.

Share the Path

"Who is allowed to use the multi-modal paths throughout The Villages?” This is a question that the District receives on a regular basis. The multi-modal paths are for use by NON-AUTOMOTIVE traffic such as bicycles, golf carts, pedestrians and skaters. It is not legal…nor is it smart…to drive vehicles such as smart cars, motorcycles, or mopeds on any of the multi-modal paths in The Villages. For additional information, please click on the header of this announcement to read a memo from District Counsel regarding the use of multi-modal paths.
Effective July 1, 2013, The Florida Legislature amended FS 319.14 to allow the conversion of a Low Speed Vehicle (LSV) to a golf cart. For additional information on the process of converting a LSV to a golf cart, please click on the following link: Low Speed Vehicles.

Who cares?

In our opinion, it is not safe to walk or ride a bike on an MMP, so we stay off of them.

We only walk or ride our bikes on paths where golf carts are forbidden.

I've noticed neither.

Yep. Walk on the MMPs often and bike on them occasionally. One or two problem children out there but certainly not the majority.

I've never noticed it. What is your opinion?

Is that statement based on a poll of say 1,000 cart owners, on consultation with a psychic, or was that just floated out there as click-bait??????

I agree. I just went for a run on the MM path by Mallory CC. Every cart I encountered gave me plenty of space. I always thank them by giving them a wave.

There will always be a small percentage of bitter "get off my lawn" a**holes anywhere you go. Thankfully from my experience running and riding my mountain bike on the mm paths, they've been very few and far between.

Just now: going south on MMP to Colony cottage, in sharp turn cart is coming at me in my lane, behind him another cart, in my lane. Both are trying to get by a recumbent bicyclist struggling with the hill. I looked to see if there was any room to swerve - no - curb etc looked behind me, no one, so applied brake forcefully. We passed each other, practically touching mirrors. The carts were obviously frustrated with the slow moving vehicle to take such a chance.

Seems the OP is in the minority...

Less than intelligent carts passing in a curb are the issue!

I agree, but their frustration was very evident. Long line up of carts behind them, rush hour from the rec center?

20 Years walking the MMP without incident(s).

No need waste keystrokes on isolated incidents!

Can someone explain to me why bikers don’t obey rules of road? Can someone explain to why walkers don’t follow Florida sunshine regulations?

WOW, how did you all make it this far without realizing that not everyone follows rules, and not everyone is nice, and everyone makes stupid mistakes once in a while, especially when the perceived risk is small. And some people just think the world revolves around them.

Velvet's response proves the point again. . . driving cars and golf carts gets riskier as you age and add a few beverages, and especially when you get mentally distracted with other issues. . .

very dangerous out there if you are in the wrong place at the wrong time.

States have different rules for sharing the road. Those who come from larger cities and Europe are accustomed to aggressive driving. When in Florida, these differences is an accident waiting to happen.

If you are walking or biking, it is safer to use the trails designed solely for this purpose. Like it not, golf carts are bigger and can cause serious injury. It is not worth risking your life to a driver who has different rules in his head than you. Both are expecting the other will automatically yield. In those few, I AM RIGHT seconds, an accident is likely occur.

After many years of traveling the MMP’s in a golf cart, a bike, and walking, I have experienced everyone getting along just fine about 99% of the time. The only common issue observed is when someone feels they own the path and refuse to allow others to safely pass. This applies to all three modes of transportation, carts, bikers, and walkers. Be aware of traffic behind you, and if your holding someone else up, let them by.

Golf carts are low man on the totem pole so everyone else has the right of way. Golf cart needs to slow down or even stop until it is safe to get by walkers or biker. You have to give way to oncoming traffic before passing. It is really very easy to do the right thing.

Yes I have seen the
speedway empowerment.
I guess the Club talk needs to be on time or
their O Pen Yon won’t be
heard for banter that day.

I think jusr click bait

The problem of course is what is the "right thing", other posts on same subject have has comments seemingly from a golf cart driver to the effect Get out out of my way you could get hurt, and disbelief that pedestrians were not required to get out of the way of golf carts, this attitude , standing on its head of responsibilities underlines the need to "watch out for the other guy "

Good one..

We can file that statement with the other often cited but completely wrong "cars always have the right of way"

First of all, the law does not state who has the right of way, it specifies who must yield the right of way.

Second, the reason a golf cart must slow or stop until it is safe to pass is the same reason a car must slow or stop before passing a slower vehicle. If an e-bike going 20 encounters a cart going 15, the e-bike will be the one to slow or stop until it is safe to pass. If a world class runner encounters a slow bicycle, the pedestrian will be the one to slow or stop until it is safe to pass. No entity ALWAYS has the right of way, I wish people would stop posting that nonsense.

Always an issue.

No problem walkers… just walk facing traffic

This is exactly my experience.

Will the villages ever do anything about the new e-bikes that don’t even need to be pedaled and are riding down the path like a moped?

I walk the MMPs often. There are a few cautions I observe. I walk facing traffic, and when approaching a blind curve to my left, if there is no room off of the MMP to my left due to vegetation, I look over my right shoulder for traffic behind me. When safe I cross over to the right side so I can see, and be seen by oncoming traffic. I agree that all too often someone will barrel around that being mindless to the possibility of a pedestrian.
Likewise, when driving a cart, as I approach a right hand curve, I slow down, expecting a pedestrian or even a very slow moving bicycle. When approaching a blind left hand curve in my golf cart I slow down, expecting someone to come around that turn too fast, and in my lane. I've seen it often enough to know it will happen.

I don't bike anymore, but If I did, I would stay off the MMPs myself. Too many places where there is no "out", where I could avoid the careless speeding cart. Rules are rules and too many people either don't know them, or don't care to follow them. That is true of the MMPs as well as the open roadways.
It's a shame, but it's a fact. 99.9% of the golf cart drivers are careful and courteous.
It only takes one idiot to seriously injure or kill you. Be careful.

It allows them to drive above 20 mph. Unfortunately one does not have you be smart or intelligent to drive a golf cart

“ The carts were obviously frustrated with the slow moving vehicle to take such a chance”….

Guess we might agree the frustration of the cart operators with the short period of time it would take the struggling bike rider is the problem. “Patience, grasshopper, patience”

If they are driving at or under golf cart speeds why should they be banned?? Seems to me that speed is the major factor, no???

:what:

Can you please explain what the "Florida sunshine regulations" are in regards to walkers?

I found plenty of references to public meetings but, not one involving walkers.

There is nothing to be done. E-bikes are considered bicycles under Florida law. E-bike riders have the same rights and responsibilities as the rider of a "normal" bicycle. That is the way it should be.

Another complainer……..

I have encountered a few pedestrians and bicycles at night with no light to help be seen. Please wear some lights at night so that is golf car drivers can see you. Once I see you, then I will be happy to not scare the wits out of you when I barely miss one on the MPPs. Just because you are on an MPP, doesn't mean you shouldn't make yourself visible like you were on a normal road. 500 ft is the requirement to be seen.
Statutes & Constitution
:View Statutes
:

Online Sunshine

I’ve never asked my golf cart how it feels about other users of MM paths.

Be thoughtful.
 

I've seen people biking double at 12 mph or less. I've seen bike riders spaced so it isn't safe to pass. I've seen bikes riding down the center of the path. Be thoughtful of others. I do bike the paths and when I do I understand others may have someplace to be. An appointment, lunch with friends, a tee time. I keep to one side. and if carts are stacking up due to hills, curves, or single lanes, I pull off to let them pass. If I'm bike riding on the paths, I'm not in a rush. But I'd rather be considerate of others than to cause an accident that may be mine. You can be right, but you could end up hurt or dead. We don't bounce like we used to.

I have not read all the posts and my question might have already been answered.
Other than the treadmill I'm not a walker, but what I have noticed most area do not have sidewalks and either I see people in the streets or the golf cart paths.
If they do not utilize one of these, how do they get from one place to another?

People generally see what they want to see.

Welcome to The Villages.