Why Don't They Say "On Your Left"?
 

[QUOTE=kkimball;2090031]Here are my (opinionated) answers to common cycling questions I've seen recently on this forum.

If you have more questions, post them here, and I'll answer them as best I can.

Dear OP - I'm a walker, and my question concerns the walking paths in the south end of the The Villages (not the MMPs, but the narrower paths that only allow walkers and bikers, no golf carts; for example the Hogeye Sink Pathway).

I understand the need to share these paths, but they are very narrow. My question is, why do so many bike riders not say "On Your Left" as they zoom past, just off the shoulder of walkers? It's very dangerous.

I'd estimate that 50% of bike riders (the considerate ones) provide a nice, clear, robust "On Your Left" announcement as they approach a walker. When I hear that, I move over even further to my right to ensure that the biker has plenty of room. (I also always give a nice loud "thank you" to the biker for providing the warning.)

The other 50% of bike riders however, never say a word and just fly by, often only inches from a walker. As I said it's very dangerous for both the walker and the rider. It would seem to take very little effort for a biker to open their mouth and provide a quick safety warning.

Any thoughts? Thanks.

In other words, that is an excuse for breaking the same law that cyclists expect everyone else to follow?????

I am a cyclist who rides seven days per week. If I had been in a golf cart behind such a group, I would have been tempted to lay on my horn until they let me pass. Cyclists like them give the rest of us a bad name.

[QUOTE=Gladys Turnip;2090477]
It's not only walkers who have to contend with these inconsiderate riders, it's other riders as well. I have had other bikers (road bikes) zoom by me on my left with no warning whatsoever. I have a mirror, but sometimes I miss their approach. I always give out passing warnings.

Just a note-often, an "on your left" statement sometimes startles the walkers and they turn into the path of the cyclist. Sp please do not necessarily judge the cyclist negatively. They do not want to run into walkers.

My problem is with those electric bikes. they are quiet and fast. At least three times yesterday while walking the Hogeye path towards Edna's and back, those bikes came from behind and whizzed by without even a horn or bell to warn us. Just a grunt as they went by. Some weren't even peddling, just going almost as fast as a golf cart. Manners?

Put the bottle down

No Startle
 

"On Your Left" does not // will not startle a walker or endanger anyone as long as it it given a sufficient distance in advance. This gives the walker time to slide a bit more to the right (to make both safe). The startling happens when the first thing the walker knows about the bike is when it is passing him/her, just inches away to the left.

A loud, robust "On Your Left" provided far enough in advance is courteous and will keep both walker and biker safe.

Admits he is the Devil right there in his username. I agree with most of his posts however. Does that mean I’m No Angel. No reference to Gregg Allman

On the left
 

[QUOTE=Gladys Turnip;2090477]I’ll share my thoughts on this because I walk these paths frequently. I like bikers that use bells to alert walkers. Whether they use bells or say “on the left” it should be done well away from the walkers so as not to startle them. Actually, It makes sense to me to treat the walk/cycle paths like walking on a street and walk to the left facing oncoming wheeled traffic.

Walker should be on the left side, biker should be on the right side of the path.

:shrug:

Like an electric cart...........I can hear the bike coming.

(I'm not an electric bike owner)

Bottom line: if everybody--automobile, golf cart, motorcycle, bicycle, e-bike, segway, scooter, walker, runner--would both KNOW and OBEY the rules of the road, we'd all be a whole lot safer. many of the above share the same roadways or MMPs, and ALL of them share the intersections.

That--and keep your head in the game. I witnessed a pretty nasty car-golf cart accident a few weeks back, where a golf cart stopped for a stop sign (four-way intersection but only a three-way stop) dutifully stopped at the stop sign, then accelerated into the intersection completely oblivious to the fact that the guy in the SUV coming from the right, who DIDN'T have a stop sign, didn't stop. The SUV rammed the golf cart on the passenger side probably less than a foot ahead of the passenger seat of the golf cart. Luckily there were no injuries, though the cart was totaled, but that was merely a matter of luck. Had the cart been two feet ahead of where it was hit, there would surely have been some serious injuries.

Someone in this thread made an observation to the effect that there are few real accidents. I wholeheartedly agree with that.

Walker on Right
 

[QUOTE=dewilson58;2090500]Walker should be on the left side, biker should be on the right side of the path.

:shrug:

Like an electric cart...........I can the bike coming.

We have walked/hiked all over the USA and if you are walking on a real road (that is, with automobiles) or MMP (with golf carts) you are supposed to walk on left (into traffic).

But when walking on sidewalks and paths that only allow walkers & bikers, both are supposed to stay to the right, in which case bikes (and runners) pass on the left (while providing a robust warning, well in advance, like the universal "On Your Left").

BTW, this is also the process followed by 90% of the walkers here in The Villages. Now if only more bikers could provide the requisite warning call.

A loud, robust "On Your Left" *will* startle some, including me. Any loud, robust sound will startle some. If given enough in advance then the walker can recover from being startled and all is good.

Three possible concerns:
1. If given too close, the announcement could startle the walker causing them to move the wrong direction
2. Some may not hear the announcement over the music they are listening to.
3. Not everyone has a loud, robust voice

Still, a loud, robust "On Your Left" will help more often than it will hurt.

Bikes in road golf cart/bike lanes
 

I am more than willing to allow bike riders the 3 foot allowance as I pass in my vehicle. It would be appropriate if the bike rider did not crowd the white line making that allowance impossible for a car in some instances.

Hand signals are wonderful indicators as to what the bike rider intends to do at any given intersection;
an outstretched right arm or a raised bent left arm signals a right turn
an outstretched left arm indicates a left turn
a lowered bent left arm indicates a stop.
We all learned those as children and would do well to use them as adults.