Bike riding
 

New to the villages....are the golf cart roadways shared with bike riders? If so what are the rules of the road....if not what is the best and safest way to bike ride?

You can legally ride on the multimodal paths (i.e. golf cart roadways). The cart riders will decide how much they are willing to share the road with you.

No rules, to my knowledge.

The new areas south of Route 44 have beautiful walking/riding paths that DO NOT ALLOW golf carts.

Other than that, put your bike on a carrier and drive to one of the many bike paths nearby. We went to Gemini Springs last week and had a great ride. I understand there are nice trails around Lake Apopka. There is a long bike trail going thru Inverness and the part we saw was beautiful. A lot of the old railroad grades have been converted into bike paths.

What are typically referred to as "Cart Paths" are actually "Multi-Modal Paths". And by that, it means those paved paths through The Villages are there for the use of most everything except cars (although you occasionally see one on the path as well). Therefore the paths are to be shared by walkers, joggers, bike riders, roller bladers, AND golf carts. And for the most part, the rules of the road on the Multi-Modal paths are the same as on the streets and roads. That means typically other than walkers who should walk facing traffic, the direction of travel is on the right side of the path. And the other rule of thumb, like on the streets and roads, is don't run over someone. Since the carts travel a lot faster than most of these other travel methods, there is some danger but that is true on the streets and roads as well. So, to answer your question, YES the "golf cart roadways ARE shared with bike riders" That is why a lot of serious bike riders choose to ride on the streets, including Morse Blvd and Buena Vista Blvd. They trust car drivers a lot more than they trust golf cart drivers.

This is one of the many videos about Florida biking. I love living in Florida.

General Van Fleet Bike Trail - Cycling in Central Florida - YouTube

I prefer to ride through neighborhood streets, much less traffic and more relaxing than looking over your shoulder constantly.

On the multi-modal paths/trails ride your bike as you would on the road...tada! That's it. If you expect to be treated as you would on the road then use signals and stop at stop signs(many bicyclists do not).

Scooters that are road legal you will see on the multi-modal trails, but legally they aren't allowed.

Bicycles(per Florida law)are allowed on sidewalks, but pedestrians have the right of way on sidewalks.

To all you walkers...if there is a sidewalk present(right or left side of the roadway)you must use it per Florida law. So if you hear someone holler to get on the walk now you know why. :-)

I ride a hybrid bike on the multi-modal paths. I like to have my safety in my own hands as much as possible. I don’t feel that way on Morse or Buena Vista, where my life is the hands of every car driving by at 40+/- mph.

On the path, I keep an eye out for carts. I can take my hybrid into the grass if needed for safety, especially if approaching or within the divided narrow sections. Appreciation is shown by most approaching cart drivers. That measure and typical standard bicycle safety measures will keep you very safe…and in control of your own safety…on the MMP’s. :)

i was driving my golf cart to brown wood to day and stop to go over the street and a bike did not want to stop and hit the back of our cart

"serious" is not the descriptor I would use.

There are a fair amount of bike haters on this forum, while not the norm you will find oblivious walkers and many cart drivers who are unaware of how fast a cyclist can ride. For these reason I recommend a bike bell as well as a loud warning device for the carts/cars such as this one Mega Horn - Bike Horn 105db : Police Bike Store also available on Amazon.

Totally agree, de. :)

Well, There big sign that says share. IMO this don’t mean you can walk 2, 3, 4 abreast when traffic coming. If you do you are hogging the path you are obligated to share. You fall into single file for safety reason till traffic clears. And you don’t walk down the middle of the path like the lady was dong today with headsets on. That’s not sharing the path that hogging it and safety issue wearing headsets.

When a walker on you’re side of path in cart YOU have to yield to oncoming carts before you pass. Why you’re lane blocked and to pass safely you have to go out wide into the other lane.

don’t see big problem with biker’s on the shared path except some don’t stop at intersections or pull out to pass when traffic coming towards them.

IMO it’s the walkers that think the whole path is their And few WILL NOT budge. I think those few are looking for law suit or just won’t have no activity going on up stairs?

Tailgater or drafting?

Same here.

Be careful, human beings are not super bright.