[JRP2TV]

So there was an incident on the walking/biking nature trail in the southern section of The Villages. A disabled person was riding their Personal Mobility Scooter on the trail, the same trail people walk on, ride bikes on and ride electric e-bikes on and they ended up getting stopped and harassed by some people walking on the trail. They demanded the Personal Mobility Scooter rider exit the trail stating they should not be there. The Personal Mobility Scooter rider explained to them what the scooter is and why they were using it, but the harassers said they did not want them on there and told the rider to leave. Words were exchanged and then they each went on their way.

Two questions:

1) Is there any place to find The Villages written rules on the specifics of using Personal Mobility Scooters on the nature trails?

2) Is there a way to have The Villages make it clear to all residents that Personal Mobility Scooters are allowed on the trail? Federal ADA laws make it illegal to prevent such use, but it would be good if The Villages could make this clear to residents given more and more nature trails are being built.

[Bogie Shooter]

Seems like a whole lot of effort just because one person acted like a jerk.

[John-US]

bikes and ebikes are not allowed on the nature trails.. before you enter a trail.. it clearly indicates what is allowed.

I would imagine a disability scooter is allowed. however it maybe loud and scare away the nature? I've seen people on cell phones on the nature trails...

Remain calm and pick your battles everyone.. please be kind. this wont last long for many of us.

[JRP2TV]

Originally Posted by John-US

bikes and ebikes are not allowed on the nature trails.. before you enter a trail.. it clearly indicates what is allowed.

I would imagine a disability scooter is allowed. however it maybe loud and scare away the nature? I've seen people on cell phones on the nature trails...

Remain calm and pick your battles everyone.. please be kind. this wont last long for many of us.

In this area, the trails are designated for walking and biking. E-bikes are used by the hundreds per day. They are not just walking trails in this particular area. There are areas where the nature trails are walking only. This is not one of them. It's the trail running behind Citrus Grove, St Catherine and further north.

The mobility scooters are electric, as are e-bikes. No noise.

[LuvtheVillages]

Originally Posted by John-US

bikes and ebikes are not allowed on the nature trails.. before you enter a trail.. it clearly indicates what is allowed.

I would imagine a disability scooter is allowed. however it maybe loud and scare away the nature? I've seen people on cell phones on the nature trails...

Remain calm and pick your battles everyone.. please be kind. this wont last long for many of us.

Disability scooters are battery operated. They are NOT noisy.

[Gpsma]

Is the OP the personal mobility rider? If not, did the OP personally witness the incident?

Or is this something that is hearsay?

My guess...just a post without any importance unless it was a personal experience.

Im thinking its all BS.

[JRP2TV]

Originally Posted by Gpsma

Is the OP the personal mobility rider? If not, did the OP personally witness the incident?

Or is this something that is hearsay?

My guess...just a post without any importance unless it was a personal experience.

Im thinking its all BS.

It is not hearsay. I was a direct witness to the entire thing. Please don't assume. I only wish I took out my camera to video the male Karen doing the harassing.

Here is what is being said about it on FB.

[Garywt]

I can’t believe that someone thinks so highly of themselves that they have the right to tell anyone to get off a path of any kind. If there is an important issue call the authorities but in this case he did not have a clue. Keep walking and mind your own business. Maybe he should not be walking this the hair across his azz.

[golfing eagles]

Originally Posted by JRP2TV

So there was an incident on the walking/biking nature trail in the southern section of The Villages. A disabled person was riding their Personal Mobility Scooter on the trail, the same trail people walk on, ride bikes on and ride electric e-bikes on and they ended up getting stopped and harassed by some people walking on the trail. They demanded the Personal Mobility Scooter rider exit the trail stating they should not be there. The Personal Mobility Scooter rider explained to them what the scooter is and why they were using it, but the harassers said they did not want them on there and told the rider to leave. Words were exchanged and then they each went on their way.

Two questions:

1) Is there any place to find The Villages written rules on the specifics of using Personal Mobility Scooters on the nature trails?

2) Is there a way to have The Villages make it clear to all residents that Personal Mobility Scooters are allowed on the trail? Federal ADA laws make it illegal to prevent such use, but it would be good if The Villages could make this clear to residents given more and more nature trails are being built.

Wow, unbelievable! That person probably wins jerk of the year (and it's only February). I don't think the Villages needs to post anything, that's what the ADA has already done. Besides, two things are true. 1) you can't legislate human decency with a sign and 2) Anyone who would be that rude and uncaring will ignore the sign anyway

[JRP2TV]

Originally Posted by golfing eagles

Wow, unbelievable! That person probably wins jerk of the year (and it's only February). I don't think the Villages needs to post anything, that's what the ADA has already done. Besides, two things are true. 1) you can't legislate human decency with a sign and 2) Anyone who would be that rude and uncaring will ignore the sign anyway

You are probably correct on that.

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

I would say - if the trail accommodates wheelchairs, then it accommodates electric mobility scooters.

[HawkinsGuy]

When I read threads like this, how an individual can be so mean and uncaring, it makes me second guess my decision to purchase a home in The Villages. If I weren’t already under contract, I might have held off purchasing. I don’t know if that’s the area in which I want to live.

[John-US]

ok ok- I was specifically thinking (in my head) of the fenney nature trail and the sharon trail. - I understand now - yes the trails behind citus are all but golf cars. scooters shouldn't be an issue.

[BlueStarAirlines]

Originally Posted by HawkinsGuy

When I read threads like this, how an individual can be so mean and uncaring, it makes me second guess my decision to purchase a home in The Villages. If I weren’t already under contract, I might have held off purchasing. I don’t know if that’s the area in which I want to live.

Yes! Take one incident and then lump all people that have absolutely nothing to do with that incident into one large group and call them all bad. I do think you are right though, you should sell and move. You seem like a simple judgmental person that has no problem saying all 130k Villagers are bad because of one person. You are part of the problem. Do better.....

[gbs317]

Originally Posted by HawkinsGuy

When I read threads like this, how an individual can be so mean and uncaring, it makes me second guess my decision to purchase a home in The Villages. If I weren’t already under contract, I might have held off purchasing. I don’t know if that’s the area in which I want to live.

You can not judge all by the actions of a few. If there is a Utopia out there in this world that would be wonderful but there is none that I know of. TV is not perfect but if you are respectful and decent to others you will find more pleasant people than the occasional jerk. We reap what we sow.