Where I'm living, bicyclist's are expect to abide by the rules of the road. I often see bicyclist's receiving tickets from the police for running stop lights, turning from the wrong lane, etc. ALL bicycles are required to have lights, front and rear and I have seen police checkpoints, where they test the lights and give tickets for infractions. They even give tickets for drinking and riding, as well as using a cell phone while riding.

When I ride my bike, it's not much different than driving my car...

A frequently repeated comment that bicyclists should follow all applicable laws (which I agee with), begs another comment. Bicyclists should be afforded the same rights and courtesies that other vehicles on the roads and multi-modal paths enjoy.

Recently, I had an experience riding with 3 other Villagers that I'd like to share. We, in addition to following the rules of the road, had 6 foot flags and bright flashing red lights that can be seen in daytime over 1/4 mile away. While we were riding on the road on Buena Vista Blvd, I had a Hyundai zoom up on me in such a manner that I could see in my mirror he would hit me and the others. I hit my powerful horn to get his attention. He passed on the left, but it appeared to me that he, and his passenger were amused by the scare they put in us. On that same road, a group of "ladies" pulled up along side my wife, who was ahead of me, and told her and the other to get off the road and get on the multimodal path. Ironically, on the same ride, while we were on the multimodal path a "gentleman" in a golf cart yelled at us to get off the cart path...this despite the fact that we were all pulled over to the right, and were courteously (we thought) waving him to pass us on the left.

It seems to me that whether you are on the road or the multi modal paths, it's still the law of the jungle. The strongest, or the biggest vehicle in this case, doesn't like sharing "its" turf with anyone else.

In general, because of behavior such as the above, I dislike riding in TV, at all. I do so primarily because of convenience, but greatly prefer riding on the trails designed for bikes, outside TV.

The 'heck with em' Chazz! You can't please everyone, enjoy your ride.

Courtesy and Safety-YEAH
 

I agree with Jeff, as to where did courtesy and safety go??
Since we moved to TV in January, my husband and I have finally started to ride our bicycles, so we are getting first hand experience for the first time on multi-modal paths and the tunnels.
I am amazed at the inconsiderate driving of the some of the golf car people.... especially when we are entering and exiting the tunnels.... we have experienced honking, tailgaiting, passing...etc as we are sucking wind trying to climb the road out of the tunnel on bicycles. At times I have had to exit my bike real quick and walk up the hill, I DO NOT need a golf car on my tail as I do this...
Have a care for people in this situation.... if I or anyone else was that physically fit, we would be on the streets in real traffic...going through traffic circles, but we choose to ride the multi modal paths figuring it would be safer.....
Just remember to share the road and have consideration for the bicycylists

Living here happily requires patience...just as it does in any place. People who drive cars and golf carts need to remember that bicycles don't move as quickly as motor driven vehicles. And people who ride bicycles need to remember that the people in cars and golfcarts need to slow down and watch out for them. Each is inconveniencing the other.

It is only with some self restraint and some attitude of kindness that it will work out safely and well.

Sermon for the day.

Amen.

I sometimes think the minute you get on that bike and pull out your driveway, you are dead wrong to most already, I have been called names even had a gent pull up beside me and move over into the cart path on Belvedere to yell at me for being on the road,,, Heck he ran me into the curb almost. the best was on Parr Drive, speed limit is 25. 3 of ous in line were doing 28.5. Lady in a car told us to do the speed limit or get off the road we dont belong there. we just smiled and waved to her..

But for the most part, most of the people are nice and even wave and talk with us. It is just those few that for some reason get aggravated if anyone is on the road beside them. You will see all kinds bad driving habits once you start cycling around here. It is amazing.

I am really surprised by the attitude in TV toward bicycles. (at least what I am reading on TOTV). We will begin building this fall and have traveled all over the US and biked pretty much everywhere and have NEVER had the bad experiences that are being discussed here. Our experience in TV was so positive that we reserved a lot the first day we were there. We did not even know what TV was and just "happened" upon it in our travels and loved it so much that we knew we had found our home. I am very disheartened to hear about the attitude toward biking. I thought TV was an "active" community and that there would be mutual respect for "active" activities. Can anyone who has lived there for awhile tell me what they see as the issue with bikers? What's the problem with sharing the road and the paths?

Jmitchell:

Please do not let the negative comments towards bikers turn you off on biking in TV. It is still a wonderful place for biking and the roads and trails outside of TV are also fun. Please check out the web page for the Sumter Landing Bike club, http://www.sumterlandingbicycleclub.org/

The club is growing by leaps and bounds as more and more new Villagers are bikers like yourself. We do monthly away rides, three weekly rides and other events. We also sponsor food banks, Habitat, and other charities. To the chagrin of some posters on this page, we do stress safety and riding practices at each meeting. All levels of bikers are welcome.

Again, don't be turned off, biking is great in TV.

What a NICE response. Thank you so much for the positive words. I just read your post to my husband, Mike, and he was as happy as I was to hear that biking is alive and well in TV. We will join the Sumter Club as soon as we get there! I can't wait to explore TV on our bikes and meet all the great TV bike enthusiasts.

BTW -- We also LOVE to golf!!!!

Thanks again OHIOGOLF!

JMitchell,

I also want to offer encouragement. Hubby and I bicycle here and have experienced nothing but courtesy from other motorists. We do take care to obey all traffic laws as well as give other motorists plenty of room to pass, when the location allows it.

We ride to the grocery store and other places on the roads. However, our preferred ride is on a multi-nodal fitness trail on the north side of TV. There walkers, joggers, bicyclists and golf cart riders always seem to be courteous, friendly to each other and happy to "share the road". We love to ride on it. Hope to see you up our way sometime!

-- P

Question
 

for PTurner:
Where on the north side of TV are you riding your bicycles? So far we have been riding our bicycles on Morse Blvd to 466 and over to Buena Vista to home, and also Morse Blvd south from the village of Caroline.... (Morse Blvd south is a killer with the gentle upward hills!! Gotta be in decent shape for that!!)

Even though we have experienced some problems, I must say on a whole, our experiences bicycling in TV have been very positive. Unfortunately, there will always be a few rotten apples in any barrel...and we are learning to deal with them.

I have been riding a bicycle on the multi-modal trails on average an hour a day 4 times a week for the past 9 months. I must say I have not run into any issues with cars or carts in all this time. I try to go out when the streets/trails are not so busy and avoid congested areas (e.g. Sumter Landing or the cart trail from LSL to Palmer) during snowbird season.

This is a wonderful place to ride....so many miles of streets and trails, reasonably flat, and beautiful homes and grounds to look at.

Hi dlzdhz,

We ride on the Springdale Fitness Trail and in that area-- Mulberry Lane, Belle Meade Circle, Legacy Lane, Kittridge Loop and neighborhood streets in Springdale, which is where we live. We have not ventured onto Beuna Vista or Morses by bicycle.

It's just leisure riding. The trail itself is only 1.3 miles, extending from Mulberry Grove Regional Rec. Center south along side or traversing Ashley Meadows, Erinn Glenn, Briarwood and Walnut Grove golf courses, the Springdale Dog Park and extending a little south of Melle Meade Circle below the Springdale Rec. Center.

p.s., I'd love to find a secret passage extending from the south end of the Fitness Trail down to the Village of Alhambra and onto El Camino Real, if there were such a thing. Anyone know?

thanks
 

PTurner-
thanks for the information, we will check it out