[JGibson]

It's the developer's fault for making the MMP so narrow.

You shouldn't have to go into the oncoming lane to pass anything, it wasn't necessary and could’ve been remedied by making a wider MMP.

There was no real
reason for this other than save money.

So now we have weekly MMP threads explaining the juggling act of trying to accommodate carts, walkers, dogs, 3-wheel bikes, joggers, and couples who walk side by side and have to hold hands down the MMP.

This topic will go down as the most talked about topic ever on TOTV dog poop would be a close second.

[srswans]

Originally Posted by Normal

Recently I was enjoying the daily walking of my dog on his short leash along the multimodal path. Abruptly a bicycle whizzed past and my dog went crazy as we were both passed by a bike coming from the rear. Usually I hear a bell or “passing on your right/left” when a bike approaches from behind us. Instead I heard a post incident expression of “What the fire truck?” I recognized the emotionally charged reaction and went on about my business.

I would like to ask people, if they were maturely inclined, to try to recognize situations they place themselves in when they enjoy our beautiful Villages. Personally if I purchased a bike, I would certainly buy a helmet and bell before using the equipment. Hopefully whoever was involved doesn’t hurt themselves or someone else in the future.

Sorry this happened to you.

In my experience, most cyclists do ring a bell or at least announce.

But humans are humans so this kinda stuff will happen. I almost rear-ended a cart whose driver stopped in a circle to yield to a cart entering the circle. While walking, my wife was nearly hit by a jogger entering the pathway.

TV population is at it’s peak right now so the risk is higher.

Be safe out there.

[Hendrick22]

Duh, when you are walking on a walk path (no carts), bikes come in both directions.
Walk around the pond at Everglades, bikes come both directions.

[Romad]

Originally Posted by tophcfa

Speaking of Bicycle etiquette, bikes riding on the MMP’s need to have rear view mirrors, be aware of golf carts stuck behind them, and slow down, pull over, and waive golf carts by to pass them. It can be painful trying to travel long distances on the paths going parallel to Buena Vista and Morse that get clogged up by bike riders not allowing carts to pass. This often causes frustrated golf cart drivers to take unnecessary risks and creates dangerous situations that should be avoidable.

Well said, and I’m a bike rider. I’ve seen far too many inconsiderate bikers that give everyone a bad reputation.

[Davonu]

Originally Posted by srswans

Walk facing motorized traffic (not wheeled traffic).

Since motorized traffic and wheeled traffic use the same side of the path, how exactly do you accomplish that?

[dougjb]

golf carts, bicycles, and pedestrians all could do with a little bit more courtesy. I cannot tell you how many time I have been walking on the MMP (facing oncoming traffic and to the left of the path) when a golf cart has passed me with inches to spare. This has even happened when there was no oncoming traffic that the cart was facing.

There is a resident in our neighborhood who walks his dog by driving down the wrong side of the street in her cart with a long leash so the dog runs on the opposite side of the street.

Bikes never seem to stop at stop signs. On the MMP's the bikes I have seen are pretty courteous and are pulled over to the right side of the road so they can be passed by carts. But, when I am in a cart, I try to observe a three foot rule so at to accommodate a biker who may hit a rock or a bump in the road and lose control. I'd rather be safe than try to pick up a broken body due to passing too close.

We all should just be a bit more courteous...pedestrians, bikers, golf carters. There is no right to say we must get there quicker. It is traffic and we need to be kind to each other.

[rickaslin]

Originally Posted by Normal

Recently I was enjoying the daily walking of my dog on his short leash along the multimodal path. Abruptly a bicycle whizzed past and my dog went crazy as we were both passed by a bike coming from the rear. Usually I hear a bell or “passing on your right/left” when a bike approaches from behind us. Instead I heard a post incident expression of “What the fire truck?” I recognized the emotionally charged reaction and went on about my business.

I would like to ask people, if they were maturely inclined, to try to recognize situations they place themselves in when they enjoy our beautiful Villages. Personally if I purchased a bike, I would certainly buy a helmet and bell before using the equipment. Hopefully whoever was involved doesn’t hurt themselves or someone else in the future.

Just think if you were walking facing traffic you would have seen bike oming!!

[NoMo50]

How often do you see walkers on the paths with earbuds in place? Grooving to tunes and oblivious to everything around them. What could go wrong?

[JMintzer]

Originally Posted by Davonu

Since motorized traffic and wheeled traffic use the same side of the path, how exactly do you accomplish that?

It's not that hard to do... Just stay to the far left, at all times...

[kendi]

Originally Posted by Davonu

Since motorized traffic and wheeled traffic use the same side of the path, how exactly do you accomplish that?

There are paths in the South that only allow walkers and bikers (wheeled). Both use the right of the path. No golf carts(motorized)

[Bay Kid]

Always walk facing traffic. Just common sense. These paths are high traffic. I wouldn't on them to walk unless I had no other choice.

[airstreamingypsy]

Here's the thing. When I'm walking my dog, or dogs, it's on a 5 foot leash. That means the dog can swing out 5 feet wide, on the side. If you are coming up silently behind me on a bike, there's a change you could get tangled in the leash. If I know you are coming, I will hold the dog next to me. Ring the bell, keep us all safe.

[DrHitch]

This thread has gotten "muddy".

Let's separate the problems of bicycles, golf carts, and pedestrians on the MULTI-MODAL pathways versus same on STREETS...

CLEARLY, bicyclists on multi modal paths need to give an announcement (verbal/bell) and then pass LEFT of the walker....you do NOT walk facing oncoming traffic except on streets.

[Bill14564]

Originally Posted by airstreamingypsy

Here's the thing. When I'm walking my dog, or dogs, it's on a 5 foot leash. That means the dog can swing out 5 feet wide, on the side. If you are coming up silently behind me on a bike, there's a change you could get tangled in the leash. If I know you are coming, I will hold the dog next to me. Ring the bell, keep us all safe.

If you walk on the left edge of the MMP, facing oncoming traffic, then you will see any bikes coming close to you. Bikes "coming up silently behind" are on the other side of the path. If you allow your dog to play in the street then who is to blame if your dog gets hit? If you allow your dog to walk seven feet onto the path (5 ft of leash plus 2ft of you) then why are you not to blame if your dog gets hit or the leash gets tangled?

[DrHitch]

Originally Posted by Bay Kid

Always walk facing traffic. Just common sense. These paths are high traffic. I wouldn't on them to walk unless I had no other choice.

Sorry to disagree...that applies to streets, not the multi-modal paths.