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.