Originally Posted by VApeople (Post 1195683)

The moral to all of these stories: It is dangerous to ride a bike or drive a cart on a road where cars are driving.

Of course, nothing in life is free of risk. We just need to accept the risk of the activities we choose to enjoy. If the pleasure of riding a bike or driving a cart is important to you, then by all means do it, but you have to accept the fact that many people drive a car with their head in a warm, dark place.

Originally Posted by virgind (Post 1195954)

Good point jojo, but parking is one thing. The original poster could have been implying the driver of the SUV may have been trying to hit him. Which I don't think he was.

Originally Posted by Sandtrap328 (Post 1195657)

How many times have we all seen the large groups of cyclists blow through STOP signs? They say they slow down and look for on-coming cars but do not unhook from their pedals.

The sign is not just a suggestion, cyclists.

You want to be considered a part of traffic - please obey the rules.

As for giving the police officer a plate number and saying the driver broke the law? Ridiculous! Posting his plate on TOTV? Irresponsible and quite possibly he could sue you for doing! If it was my plate, I would be contacting Attorney Dan Newlin.

:popcorn:

Originally Posted by biker1 (Post 1195804)

That is incorrect. You might wish to look up the law. Cyclists have the same rights and responsibilities as cars and can occupy an entire lane, just like cars, on sub-standard width roads (as we have in The Villages). There are several instances where you will see cyclists more to the center of a lane for safety reasons. This will happen often when approaching roundabouts to prevent cars from squeezing cyclists into the curbs. The Village's roads are not wide enough for a bike and car to coexist in the same lane (sub-standard width roads). Most cyclists will normally stay in the right most third of the right lane but there is still insufficient width for a car to pass in the same lane. You must move to the other lane when passing.

Originally Posted by dirtbanker (Post 1196062)

If they have the same rights and responsibilities as cars why don't they pay for license plates? Why don't they have to have proof of insurance? Why don't they contribute to road tax fund?

If the roads are "sub-standard width" in the Villages, why don't you "Lance Armstrong Wanna Be"s throw your silly outfits on and ride your bike on a stand in your driveway? You would not have to worry about being squeezed into curbs and you don't have to worry about any SUV trying to kill you.

Originally Posted by dirtbanker (Post 1196062)

If they have the same rights and responsibilities as cars why don't they pay for license plates? Why don't they have to have proof of insurance? Why don't they contribute to road tax fund?

If the roads are "sub-standard width" in the Villages, why don't you "Lance Armstrong Wanna Be"s throw your silly outfits on and ride your bike on a stand in your driveway? You would not have to worry about being squeezed into curbs and you don't have to worry about any SUV trying to kill you.

Originally Posted by golfing eagles (Post 1196072)

First of all, let me state that I am not a cyclist. I don't even own a bicycle, and I haven't been on one in 40 years. I also initially took offense at threads that had cyclists espousing the "own the lane" philosophy, since it appeared that their national organization was making up their own rules.

Then, I did some research. Under the law, they have the same rights and responsibilities when using the public roads, and are entitled to be there. I went as far as walking out to the center line of Morse and BV to measure the lanes. They are absolutely correct that there is not enough room for a car to pass a bicycle in the same lane with 3 feet of clearance. Interestingly, it's not the width of the SUV that's the problem, it is the projection of the side view mirrors.

The argument about licensing cycles is absurd. How about pedestrians? Should the need a license, a plate, and pay a fee to walk on a road? How about walking across the street to a neighbor's house---need a license for that. How about golf carts?

The second paragraph was even more inane. Who are any of us to tell another what activity they are allowed to enjoy, where to enjoy it, and what to wear? Maybe the cyclists should get to tell us what to wear on the golf course, or the pools, or in the squares??? Or do they just get to make fun of what you are wearing?

To paraphrase JFK---We all live in this small community, we all share the same roads, we all cherish our retirement, and we are all mortal.

End of rant

Originally Posted by looneycat (Post 1196085)

people are throwing road width around. standard lane width is 9-12 feet. our lanes are easily 9 feet and more, besides, since they are county roads, you again are blaming the villages for something built under govt authority.

Originally Posted by looneycat (Post 1196085)

people are throwing road width around. standard lane width is 9-12 feet. our lanes are easily 9 feet and more, besides, since they are county roads, you again are blaming the villages for something built under govt authority.

Originally Posted by golfing eagles (Post 1196072)

First of all, let me state that I am not a cyclist. I don't even own a bicycle, and I haven't been on one in 40 years. I also initially took offense at threads that had cyclists espousing the "own the lane" philosophy, since it appeared that their national organization was making up their own rules.

Then, I did some research. Under the law, they have the same rights and responsibilities when using the public roads, and are entitled to be there. I went as far as walking out to the center line of Morse and BV to measure the lanes. They are absolutely correct that there is not enough room for a car to pass a bicycle in the same lane with 3 feet of clearance. Interestingly, it's not the width of the SUV that's the problem, it is the projection of the side view mirrors.

The argument about licensing cycles is absurd. How about pedestrians? Should the need a license, a plate, and pay a fee to walk on a road? How about walking across the street to a neighbor's house---need a license for that. How about golf carts?

The second paragraph was even more inane. Who are any of us to tell another what activity they are allowed to enjoy, where to enjoy it, and what to wear? Maybe the cyclists should get to tell us what to wear on the golf course, or the pools, or in the squares??? Or do they just get to make fun of what you are wearing?

To paraphrase JFK---We all live in this small community, we all share the same roads, we all cherish our retirement, and we are all mortal.

End of rant

Originally Posted by outlaw (Post 1196101)

Please remember your post the next time you want to vent about the "90 yo going 20 mph in the BV left lane".

Originally Posted by golfing eagles (Post 1196099)

The criteria, under the law, is not whether or not the road is "standard width", it is whether there is enough room for a motor vehicle to pass the bicycle in the same lane with 3 feet of margin.

The lanes on Morse, at least where it runs past Sarasota practice range, are 10 feet 9 inches. My SUV (not a compact car but also not a landscaper hauling a trailer) is 7 foot 4 inches from the tips of mirrors. Giving 3 feet of safety, this means I would have to perfectly, consistently drive with the tip of my driver's side mirror over the center line of the road (not a good idea) while the cyclist would have to perfectly and consistently ride 5 inches off the curb. Please tell me that this is not what you are advocating.

Again, I am not a cyclist and I wouldn't cry if I never encountered them on a road, but they have their rights too.

Originally Posted by golfing eagles (Post 1196105)

Apples and oranges. Not many cyclists are capable of sustaining 35 mph. The car comes equipped with a gas pedal, and those that have trouble using it do not need to be in the left lane. The cyclists who choose to use those roads are doing it to the best of their ability and limitations of their equipment. Drivers who crawl , especially in the left lane, are creating an unnecessary road hazard. And by the way, my "slow speed in left lane" posts are directed mostly at interstates. Locally I usually don't get up to 35 either.

Originally Posted by biker1 (Post 1196106)

...From the FL statute:

For the purposes of this subsection, a “substandard-width lane” is a lane that is too narrow for a bicycle and another vehicle to travel safely side by side within the lane.

Originally Posted by Polar Bear (Post 1196198)

Biker1 is right. The term "sub-standard" is used frequently and rather casually regarding streets and roads in The Villages.

TV streets and roads are in some areas sub-standard ONLY in the context of automobile/bicycle considerations. They are NOT sub-standard in any other way with respect to Florida Department of Transportation road construction specifications...including those specifying lane width.

Originally Posted by golfing eagles (Post 1196200)

:agree:

Oh, no, not again!!!:1rotfl::1rotfl::1rotfl:

Originally Posted by Polar Bear (Post 1196201)

I may have to rethink my previous post. :1rotfl:

Originally Posted by dirtbanker (Post 1196062)

If they have the same rights and responsibilities as cars why don't they pay for license plates? Why don't they have to have proof of insurance? Why don't they contribute to road tax fund?

If the roads are "sub-standard width" in the Villages, why don't you "Lance Armstrong Wanna Be"s throw your silly outfits on and ride your bike on a stand in your driveway? You would not have to worry about being squeezed into curbs and you don't have to worry about any SUV trying to kill you.

Originally Posted by 57ChevyFI (Post 1196386)

Since this guy was TRYING to kill someone, does anyone know how many he's killed since this egregious event? Seems he should be up to a dozen by now, just wanted to know if it was safe to hit the streets again. :popcorn:

Originally Posted by Rapscallion St Croix (Post 1196275)

Hold on, Hoss. I am not a wanna be. I'll have you know that I have exactly the same number of Tour de France wins as Lance Armstrong,

Originally Posted by golfing eagles (Post 1196072)

The argument about licensing cycles is absurd. How about pedestrians? Should the need a license, a plate, and pay a fee to walk on a road? How about walking across the street to a neighbor's house---need a license for that. How about golf carts?

Originally Posted by golfing eagles (Post 1196072)

The second paragraph was even more inane. Who are any of us to tell another what activity they are allowed to enjoy, where to enjoy it, and what to wear? Maybe the cyclists should get to tell us what to wear on the golf course, or the pools, or in the squares??? Or do they just get to make fun of what you are wearing?

To paraphrase JFK---We all live in this small community, we all share the same roads, we all cherish our retirement, and we are all mortal.

End of rant

Originally Posted by dirtbanker (Post 1196432)

I believe Biker! stated that "Cyclists have the same rights and responsibilities as cars"...I asked why they did not have plates, insurance, and contributed to road tax fund. If you don't want them to have the same responsibilities (plates and insurance) as a car, take it up with him!



I asked why he did not ride his bike on a stand in his driveway if the roads are sub-standard width. There is a difference between asking and telling, is there not?

JFK earns about the same amount of respect from me as Bill Clinton does...

Originally Posted by bikeman (Post 1195551)

This SUV tried to run over one of our cyclist the other day. Going north on Buena Vista by the Savannah center round about, our group after stopping to let other cars clear, started north again. That is when this SUV came up from behind us in the left lane and crossed in front of our lane to turn right on El Camino Real just missing the lead rider by inches, and mean inches. Had he not turned his from wheel to the right just a little, he would have been hit. No telling what injuries might have occurred if the contact had happened. Fortunately, the last cyclist had a camera going and we were able to get the license number. We called the Sumter County police, and officer Wills, to report the incident. We were not looking to ticket the driver, but to let him/her know that crossing two lanes at a high rate of speed is jeopardizing the safety, and maybe the life of these cyclist. The officer refused to help even after giving him the license number. I wonder if the same officer would have shown any interest if this SUV had collided with the bicycle? I guess someone has to be injured before this officer would help with the situation. If you know this person, please notify them that what they did was totally wrong, and could have cost someone their life just to make the turn 5 seconds earlier. They never stopped, or even acknowledged any wrong doing. Even after giving the Sumter County officer the license number he refused to do anything telling me that Florida license plates has 6 numbers/letters not 5. I know that vanity plates in Florida can have less than 6. I am not sure why he chose not to pursue this problem, or at least make a call telling them they are now being watched and should be more considerate of cyclist. Here is a picture of the SUV. Please let me know if you know this person. License # SJE IT
Thanks for caring,

Originally Posted by golfing eagles (Post 1196436)

Do you think pedestrians have the same rights and responsibilities as a car when using the roads, or are you just singling out cyclists?

Originally Posted by golfing eagles (Post 1196436)

But asking why he doesn't ride on a stand in his driveway is like asking a golfer why he doesn't just hit balls into a net in his backyard

Originally Posted by Rapscallion St Croix (Post 1196275)

Hold on, Hoss. I am not a wanna be. I'll have you know that I have exactly the same number of Tour de France wins as Lance Armstrong,