Bicycle's on Road
 

Yesterday I saw a cyclist on the side of the road (Buena Vista) who had been hit by an automobile. He was being tended to by paramedics and hopefully he is OK. My comment though is why would anyone riding a 30 pound bicycle, put them selves in harms way of traveling with 3000 pound autos. I know they think they have the same right as a motor vehicle, but its like taking your high school freshman running back and having him play in the NFL, your going to get hurt! Yes I do have a bicycle but when I drive I am on the recreation trail to stay out of harms way of automobiles. With all the people who are texting and talking on their cell phones, it doesn't take much for them to be distracted and hit a unexpected bicyclist. Plus although the cyclist clubs don't agree, when you come upon them, they think they have the right of way on the road and in the round a bouts, and STOP signs mean nothing to them. I'm sure it's not all of them, but a good amount.

I think serious cyclists have farther to go than the trails allow, plus they are usually traveling at a speed more commensurate with streets with auto traffic rather than multi modal trails. I'm not a serious cyclist and would never ride on anything but a bike trail because I'm not experienced enough, but that's just my opinion of why they prefer the streets.

And they do have the right, and we do have the responsibility...

The roundabouts are the WORST for cyclsts as they are not seen until it's too late! I know as I almost struck one!

As a person who enjoys bicycling and motorcycling, I can attest to how distracted many drivers of automobiles are. The key for me when motorcycling is to always know where the cars are positioned around me and stay out of their way. I am just about to move to the Villages and I am looking forward to buying a new road bicycle and doing some serious riding. I will make sure to have all the mirrors and high visibility aids I can find. Still, you can 't blame the bicyclist for a car running him over.

I ride just about everyday. If you think the roads aren't safe for a cycle you should try the trails. When I first started riding I used the GC trails after the 2nd time I got forced off the trail I switched to the road. I ride on the right side and stay on the right thru the roundabouts. I signal, watch my mirrors, use my light and wear my helmet. Most people keep their distance and watch what your doing. The GC trails were far more dangerous as far as I'm concerned.

I can't count how many times Ive seen cyclists blow right thru stop signs. Alone yesterday coming up Bichara two of them ran right thru the one I was stopped at and proceeded thru running the red at the light causing pedestrians to jump back. I thought to myself I hope the authorities catch them before they nailed by a car or cart and become the next statistic.

IMO it is a public safety issue, that is no different than motorized vehicles. Many consider that the rider is in the most danger. This is probably true. But they can be a danger to motorist that may have to react to circumstances where bicycles are on the road and not following the rules.

Since they will probably not be banned on roads.... the next best thing is to require non-motorized vehicles that will be driven on roads to be licensed, like cars and by statute have minimum required features (like cars) if they are to be ridden on public roads. This means a visible (sizable) license plate to identify it.

Likewise, the operator of any non-motorized vehicle on public roads should be required to have a license (like a drivers license) that is renew periodically. Maybe a regular vehicle drivers licenses would include the privileged to ride a bicycle on roads. That would at least ensure that the person understand the basic rules!

If insurance laws are present in the state, the bicycle owner must carry some minimum insurance level per statute. They can and do cause accidents and injury. I am sure a rider could be added people's existing motor vehicle policy for small extra charge. If the insurance industry would not cover it or cover it for a small extra premium, that says something!

It's the few that ruin it for the rest. Most cyclists, motorcyclists, walkers, dog owners, car and truck drivers are responsible drivers. Unfortunately, the ones causing the problems are the small minority that we all talk about.

I am still amazed of how many people are in such a damn hurry driving around in a retirement community. Then add the additional distractions of texting, cell phone usage, and you see all the stupid driving behaviors.

Hopefully with the snowbirds and renters heading back home, ( I am not blaming them as the cause ) just that there is less congestion on our roads, the roads will be a little safer for all.

That would be my biggest gripe about some cyclists.

Although I understand that autos and bikes need to share the road, that doesn't mean bikes get to ignore traffic signs/signals.

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Funny how you phrased that. You used the phrase 'they think'. Um, actually they do for the most part. You can find many links to bicycle road rules in FL. Here is just one: Florida Statutes 316.2065 - Bicycle regulations :: Lawserver

SHARE THE ROAD.

Again, motor vehicle drivers are blamed when many times the bicyclists make themselves an accident or fatality waiting to happen because they do NOTHING to make themselves visible.

Many bike riders wear dark grey or black shirts with dark helmet, blending right in with the color of the pavement especially at dusk and in the tunnels(!!), and the the low, reclining recumbent riders are often the same way besides being only a foot off the ground as a car driver comes over the rise of a slight hill and is suddenly upon them.

Accusing motor vehicle drivers of speeding and "being in a damn hurry in a retirement community" is not the cause of bike riders who choose to take unbelievable risks by not making themselves visible, and who blow thru stop signs.

And, if a car driver hits a bicyclist because they could not be seen, it doesn't matter much whether the car driver was going the speed limit of 20mph, under it at 10mph, or over it at 25mph. At any of these speeds, it's going to be disastrous and life-altering for both the bike rider AND the driver who has to live with that horror in their minds into the future.

And then, armchair quarterbacks condemning the vehicle driver who had an ACCIDENT and did not willfully cause the mess makes it even worse!

Why do we constantly worry about bikes who "blow thru stop signs"? Have there been accidents because of this?

I do agree about bicyclists who should make themselves as visible as possible and most avid cyclists take great strides to do this with bright clothing and lighting when needed.

Why would anyone defend cyclists who want to be equal to autos, but don't seem to want to follow the same rules? :shrug:

I have personally had close calls, with those who think they're above the "rules of the road".....or can't seem to expend the effort to lift their left arm to signal. :oops:

It's a good thing for those who I've had close calls with, that at least one of us was paying attention.

Which is kinda silly when you think about it, because it's not like the person in the auto.....is the one who will get hurt.
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Again, why would you use the phrase "want to be"? THEY ARE!!!

It's not just cyclists that don't follow the rules.

I am surprised at the negative view most of the posters here have towards bicyclists. It appears that many automobile drivers expect the road to be theirs and they don't respond well to any other vehicle on the road, especially slower moving ones. Walking on the side of the road is a scary thing up here in New England as the roads are narrow and there is only one lane in each direction. "Share the road" is a safety reminder in many states often seen on street signs.

Understood.

That's why they need to obey the law also.


Very weak reasoning....for deliberately breaking the law. :shrug:

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As I always say,
Share The Road, it's the law!!! On one thread I see people blast those who do not lead a healthy life style and then on the next thread blast cyclist and walkers who are out trying to exercise and be healthy. These people are walking and riding where they have a right to be and I am sorry that it seems to annoy some. Yes, there is a risk riding on the road, just as there is a risk driving on the road. It would be interesting to find out why this particular cyclist was hit.

I agree with you 1000%. But I gave up the argument long time ago. Especially after a car pulled up beside me on Parr Drive and yelled at me I had no right on the road.. Funny thing to note, I was doing 28 MPH and the speed limit is 25 mph. Then the car took off on down the road,, I was smiling when they turned right at Belvedere and got stuck at the red light at 466. Because that is the way I was going. And of all things they were in a convertible. Not good for them.
It will always be the cyclist fault. Will never change...

The speed limits on most of the roads in the Villages are conducive for bicyclist and street legal golf carts as well as cars. I agree with Mr. Bieniaszek's post for he talking in general terms. Some readers like ‘ilovety’ apparently had occasion to come into contact with some bike riders and noticed their color of clothing, and determined they were invisible therefore, doomed to be hit. I guess it would be nice if they had those revolving red lights on their heads or wore very bright colors but there is responsibility on both sides of this issue let us not forget. Drivers need to be a where of what is around them at all times as does the bicyclist and obey the common traffic rules.

Not just an armchair quarterback, I operate all the apparatuses, bike, car, and golf cart here in the Villages.

Don't ever take my words out of context. I never said it was OK in any way to break the law. My point was that YES they break the law and NO they are not the only ones. So don't point fingers at just the bikers.

You're the one who said they "want" the same rules when they already HAVE them.

And yes it is in capital letters meaning I'm yelling.

Perhaps like the previous poster said I should just give up trying to defend cycling in TV. There are just some people who will never think that, despite the laws, they have equal rights to the roads.

Yes, but they're just trying to enjoy themselves; they're out to have some fun. Don't spoil their fun by giving them warnings! ;) Coincidentally, that's what people say when they go out to eat fast food. They just want to enjoy themselves. In both cases, they don't think anything bad will ever happen to them, like an accident or heart attack. The problem: They think they are still teenagers. ;)

Dude, mellow out.

Unfulfillable threats...aren't required.



Well, any reasonable person could have that impression after this post....


Especially since, in no subsequent post (until this one) did you make any indication that you thought that cyclists should obey street signs and/or signals. :oops:

In fact, the distinct impression I got (apparently incorrectly) was.... "don't worry about whether cyclists stop at stop signs, unless there are accidents."





I didn't just point at cyclists.

The difference being, I also didn't say....."Why do we constantly worry about automobiles who "blow thru stop signs"? Have there been accidents because of this?"

I think BOTH (not yelling :D)....should be held accountable.



OK, I could have worded that better.

My point was, that cyclists have successfully lobbied to be treated like autos on streets...by law.

The key to my comment, was that they should also be held to the same laws/regulations as autos.

It's great that you finally admitted......that you agree with that. :thumbup:



No need to yell. :shrug:


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Wow! an interesting point of view to say the least.

Thank you...someone finally understands! Multi modal paths are more dangerous for the experienced cyclist..Period!!!

It's no different here in FL than up north, where we do share the roads with bikes of all kinds. They do have a right to be there just as we do in our vehicles. It's about being careful and watching out for one another.

Yesterday we were out running errands and an observation I had with drivers of BOTH cars and carts "seem" to be some folks have a vision issue. I've seen vehicles straddling the white line of the diamond paths with the car/lanes---this is BOTH cars/trucks and carts. I've seen vehicles make a turn by cutting over into the other lane (also verboten)--scarey!!!

Again...this thread has been posted (by different posters) time and again on TOTV. We all just need to be defensive drivers when out and about. If you see a biker in your lane and you're concerned---go to the left lane if you have time and room, to go around them. On the roundabouts---you should not be going fast anyway in the event you encounter ANY type of vehicle!!!

I'm honestly curious how you mean that, Skip...do golf carts force you off? Something else?

Yeah....there's a risk breathing the air. I do not ride my trike recumbent on the road or multi-modal paths......period!!!! I don't ride either of my motorcycles anywhere in the Villages, unless I'm exiting same.

Just give a wide berth to everyone and drive very defensively. Do Not Speed. A cop will get you eventually.

:spoken:

A dog poop thread is just around the corner ..... it circumnavigated a roundabout in the wrong direction and is currently running a stop sign after saving 84 seats in each square.

Rinse & repeat

The motorist is at fault if he hits a bicyclist. The bicycle has as much right to the road as a vehicle. Motorists in The Villages do not follow the rules of the road. It's a shame!

I agree

Personally I think you would have to be nuts to ride a recumbant in TV. Talk about an accident waiting to happen!

I ride around my neighborhood. Have a big pole with a high flying flag. Usually there's no car or cart behind me.

Try it, you'll like it, Butch.

Oh pleeez
 

Since I have been watching, enjoying and participating in TOTV for the last year, I have been intrigued by some posters who have - lets say - a real dislike for bicycle riders. Yes, bikers may bend some rules such as stop signs, they may ride "fast" and they may wear what some consider "inappropriate" colored clothing; that all may be true. But, I have seen auto drivers "commit" the same "sins" but the WRATH of some of the posters is not with the same level of "hate" I hear about bikers. What goes?
I have come to the conclusion: many people are jealous. They wish they were that fit OR they are afraid of the bikers because they are afraid they may hit them......because they can't see as well or drive as well as they once did.
When I see the bikers, walkers, golfers etc etc, I smile! I am so happy to see anyone, everyone out enjoying themselves and keeping fit and happy. It is not up to the auto driver or anyone else to say what any person can or cannot do IF IT IS LEGAL. Just the same as you cannot tell someone to stop smoking or not eat a big-mac, you should not be so strident about disliking bikers. It is legal...and besides it is good for them. Probably much safer than big-mac's and smoking.

Thank you Suzi!

I ride a recumbent, as does my wife and several friends who live in TV. I think we are relatively sane, thank you.:spoken:

If you're referring to the fact that we are lower than upright bikes, that is a fair argument. However, most recumbent riders take extra precautions to be noticed (e.g. flags and high intensity flashing lights) and to be heard where visibility is compromised (e.g. roundabouts) very loud air horns.

In practice, I have had no case of problems with being noticed by motor vehicles any where in TV. On the flip side, I had experienced problems on my upright, in one case getting forced off the road. I think, in part, it may be because uprights are so common that they almost become invisible to drivers, whereas recumbents are still unusual and draw attention.

The OP reported an accident involving a bicycle rider and a motorist on Buena Vista. Although he followed up with broad opinions on cyclists and how they ride, which provoked the usual storm of other opinions, I didn't see anything about the details of what happened. Most importantly, how is the cyclist? Was a citation issued to any of the parties?

I am with you...I would like a follow up on what "really" happened.

That may be true in a few cases....but I’m of the opinion, if someone acts like an a$$hole here in The Villages, more than likely, they always acted like an a$$hole, wherever they lived.

To read some of the posts on this site you would think that TV is a crazy cacophony of chaotic drivers of every imaginable conveyance.

But the truth is...the drivers/riders/walkers that you read about here on TOTV are a very small sampling of what actually takes place in The Villages. Naturally, what you hear about are the complaints...no one has reason to talk about the tens of thousands of cars/carts/bikes/walkers/runners that share the road without problem on a daily basis.

I feel the same way!

This is a very valid point. While I am not sure exactly how many are TOTV members, I do know that the number of truly active posters is small. Yet, a surprising number think that the vocal few speak for / represent the 100K. Heck most of them are seemingly unaware of what what TV looks like north of 466 and heaven forbid east of 441.

I would be willing to wager the ranch that if you stopped 1000 cars on BVB and asked them if they knew what TOTV was .... at most the % of yes would be in the low low single digits.

:evil6::evil6: You have given fodder for about 17 new threads!:boxing2: