Runners & Walkers in the Diamond Lanes
 

I understand why runners and walkers prefer to run/walk on the asphalt as opposed to the concrete sidewalks. And I also understand why they run/walk in the opposite direction of traffic, as we were all taught as children. But IMO, here in TV, runners and walkers should not be using the diamond lanes in general, but if they do, they shouldn’t go against traffic, and if they do go against traffic...they should be the ones to yield to vehicular traffic.

Today I almost ran over a woman who ran in front of me at an intersection. I was at a Stop sign, waiting to turn right. Traffic was heavy and I (looking to the left) was waiting for my chance to turn right. When I finally saw a break in the traffic I started my turn, and there was a woman, running through the intersection from my right (in the diamond lane), just a couple of feet in front of me.

I hit the brake and she glared at me and threw her arms up...like “what the hell are you doing?” It scared me to death. I hope it scared her even more.

So folks who run in the diamond lane...how about making eye contact with vehicle drivers and making sure that they see you before crossing in front of them. That's how runners do it everywhere else...and it's probably even more important here in TV. Just saying.

Yup, I understand. That happened to me with a biker - they were in my blind spot, same scenario as you mentioned, and couldn't see 'em either and did not see them approach. No harm done but not a good situation.

The other night there was a walker in the golf cart lane...dark shirt, dark shorts...walking in the same direction I was going.

Luckily, I was in my car. Had I been in our cart, he would have been taken out in an instant...I would have never seen him.

I wish they would just use some sense...and the sidewalks. It was only a foot away...

Sidewalks for pedestrians(both walkers and runners) diamond lanes and multimodal paths for wheeled vehicles. Why would someone afoot want to be in the street with carts and cars? One slip by a wheeled vehicle and you could be in the emergency room ( and we know how long that will take) or the morgue.

bottom line if you are in a car or cart. Look both ways before turning. Second the pedestrians have the right of way. It would be a good idea for those who run etc to wear something that makes it eaiser to see them.

When I first came to TV two years ago I asked on TOTV if the cart paths were for runners/walkers too and the general consensus was "yes".

I was also told off several times by cart-drivers for going in the direction of the carts - i.e. on the right - so I switched to the left.

However, last year I was almost run over three times in the space of two weeks - twice by carts that were coming towards me and did not pull out to go round me (once was going over the narrow bridge on Morse near 466 - what was I supposed to do - jump over the edge? Luckily I managed to step on to the parapet and balance until the cart had passed) and once by a car pulling out of a side turning as I was running along Rio Grande.

So now I generally go in the direction of traffic, and haven't had any problems.

As for using the sidewalks. Great idea, but there are very few of them.

All parties need to be considerate and alert. Runners/walkers should wear light colored clothing if out early or late, and motorists/cart-drivers should be on the look-out for all other road users.

Thank you

From a runner's point of view - having 20+ years of road running under my belt.

Many runners, myself included, will not run on concrete when asphalt is available. We can actually feel the difference, and extremely hard surfaces are conducive to foot injuries (I'm a recipient).

Running with the flow of traffic is extremely dangerous to the runner, especially here in the Villages where there are so many poor (at best) drivers. Facing traffic gives me the option of jumping out of harms way when you come at me while texting, eating, chatting on the phone, rubbernecking, or visiting with your passengers. I won't even mention the several "legally blind" drivers I know of whom still choose to drive. One was a neighbor of mine and she admitted that to me.

I myself have thrown my hands in the air and given drivers the "hairy eyeball" when they pull out and cut me off or encroach the shoulder while not paying attention to the task at hand of driving.

There is no doubt that it's dangerous out here for pedestrians, runners and bicyclists, however - there is a responsibility to both motor vehicle (including golf cart) operators and those who choose to exercise, to use caution and be aware of your surroundings.

I agree with you that eye contact is important. I for one, always try to make that contact with vehicle operators and for the reason that you state.

My message is not meant to be contradictory but rather just a runner's viewpoint because as you know, if we end up meeting on the highway, I'll be the one to lose.

I walk a lot, run a bit. I prefer the multimodal paths,
I think the multi means it's not a golf cart path alone.

It's easy on the feet, no cars.
I walk against the traffic flow so I can see 'em coming and I keep very alert.

At intersections and the like, I'm in no hurry, I'll always give the right of way to anything with wheels, including rollerbladers.

It's not so hard to be courteous and aware.

I think the old rule, look both ways before crossing still applies to walkers, runners etc.

We were taught as children to not walk in the traffic nor step out in front of moving vehicles to cross the street.

Also, we were taught that if a vehicle is coming toward you and it looks like they're going to hit you, you get the h*ll out of the way!!!!!!

It's common sense....until we get here.

Here people seem to think they can walk in the traffic and stay as they are if a vehicle is coming at them, and if they get hit and made into roadkill, they say to themselves, "I was right".

You might as well have a tombstone made that says, "I had a right to walk in the traffic."

What is the protocol on the multi-modal paths with walkers vs carts?? One day a couple of weeks ago was out on one going to Colony. If you live down here you will know how really busy and the high traffic there is BOTH on the paths and the roads. Anyway it was particularily busy with carts going both ways when I came upon 2 ladies walking side-by-side and chatting. Had carts before me and carts behind me and I'd just come up on them from a hill. I did slow a bit but couldn't stop OR go around them for obvious reasons and "finally" the one closest to the cart traffic moved behind her partner but at the same time let out a little scream as if she was getting hit. NO WAY would that have happened. I realize they have the right to use these paths etc. as well. I should have added they were going againest traffic and were coming towards me. Couldn't they see that there was heavy cart traffic going both ways?? I agree they have the right to walk these paths but also need to be vigilant just as we all have to be.

As for runners on the diamond paths to the south...I've observed they'll veer onto the sidewalks with carts meeting them AND I do appreciate that they go againest traffic!

It is definately hazardous to traverse in any way here in The Villages and we ALL need to be observant when we're out and about!!!

Oh...and pedestrians do have the right of way on the marked pedestrian cross-walks (that goes for parking lots as well). But they too have to heed the traffic and lights etc.

I get so mad at people who walk with traffic, especially when they are talking, etc...and they think walking two abreast is fine. Don't you want to see what's coming at you????

"multimodal paths for wheeled vehicles." from a post above.....incorrect. Multi modal means just that...like it or not.

If other than wheeled mode go against the traffic.

From my 8 years of walking the multi mode paths here in TV the single biggest problem is golf cart drivers going too fast for conditions and secondly the ones who are just not paying attention and third those who cannot see (very far).

98% of surprises and near incidents would be eliminated if drivers exercise common courtesy....called using the brakes and slowing down....and oh by the way most of them do. We only talk about the small number who are the violators.

btk

Add to that:

- ...Walkers exercising common courtesty by wearing white/bright-colored shirts/jackets instead of dark grey or black as many walkers do;

- ...Walkers watching for what is coming for traffic instead of chatting with a partner or on the phone and daydreaming, oblivious to traffic;

- ...Walkers watching for golf carts that cannot go around them because of car/truck traffic at their side, as NotGolfer described above.

How much more confusion in diamond lane?
 

I was very surprised, upon my last visit, that bicyclists and walkers were allowed in the diamond lane. I thought that that lane was for carts only. Not that I blame joggers for wanting to jog in that lane, it's just there's already so much going on already without adding more confusion in that lane. For what it is, a golf cart community, I think TV could have done a much better job laying things out. I would have been nice to have all cart paths off the main roads and maybe put a diamond lane for bikers and walkers along side the main roads as the cart road is now. It seems there's so much to pay attention to while driving there. I don't think I've ever driven in a place where there's so much concentration needed when driving. That seems like an accident waiting to happen in a retirement community. Safety should be the number one concern. Having said that, I still love it there!