[tsmall22204]

Bla bla bla. Now let's hear how a cyclists had his/her close encounter with death.
Everyone is in such a hurry. Most of us are retired aren't we?

[Ptmckiou]

I rode yesterday about 12 miles on the MMP, and part of it was all the way to the last turn around before the Brownwood bridge, on Meggison. Never once did I see an issue with carts having a problem passing when needed. I also didn’t see big groups of cyclists bunched up. They all seem to be spread out with wide gaps for passing. The largest group of cyclists I saw in the 12 miles was my group of six people. Most of my group averaged 18-20 miles an hour (we all have E-bikes) and we often had to pass carts going too slow. Btw, the trike in our group can do 29 miles an hour and no cart can keep up with him, so it’s not always the bikes slowing things up, since many are E-bikes these days.

[Ski Bum]

Well, if we equate rules of the road with sensible rules for the MMP, yeah, if you are traveling slowly and impeding traffic, you are required to pull over and let traffic pass by:

From drivinglaws.org

Impeding Traffic With Slow Driving

The laws of most states generally prohibit motorists from driving at such a slow speed as to impede the normal and reasonable flow of traffic. But the circumstances under which a driver can be ticketed for going too slow also depend on the roadway and other specific conditions.

Obstructing the Flow of Traffic
The laws of some states require motorists on multi-lane highways and interstates who are driving slower than the speed limit or the normal speed of traffic to be in the right-hand lane (often called the "slow lane"). Also, it's illegal in many states to drive side-by-side with another vehicle in such a way that prevents other cars from passing.

Minimum Speed Limits
Some highways and interstates also have minimum speed limits (that may or may not be posted). For example, some states have a minimum 40-mile-per-hour limit for state highways. Motorists who are going slower than the minimum speed limit (and aren't doing in response to traffic, safety hazards, or the like) can be ticketed.

Two-Lane Roads and Pullouts
The requirements are normally different for driving on two-lane, two-way roads. Generally, drivers on these roadways must stay in the right-hand lane and as close to the right-hand side of the lane as safely possible. And if other vehicles can't safely or lawfully pass, the slower driver might be required to pull to the side of the road at a safe turnout and allow the other cars to pass. Some states have laws that specify a slow-moving vehicle must pull over at the soonest safe pullout when five or more vehicles are formed in a line behind the vehicle.

[donfey]

Originally Posted by Toymeister

Bicycles have every right to be on the MMPs.

The reason that there was a backup was because the first cart determined that there was not enough room to perform a safe pass of the cyclists.

If that bothers you or slows you down then get your keys, open your garage, and drive your automobile.

Your privilege of operating a cart on the MMP ends exactly where the cyclist's begins. Your privilege is not greater than anyone else's in The Villages.

Nor does the bikers. Their rights do not supersede anyone else's.

[Luggage]

Maybe you should all just learned patience

[charlie1]

Originally Posted by fdpaq0580

I would say that in many posted scenarios where pictures are not added for support, certain "facts" are often exaggerated. However, there is still a principal to the tale. Here the principal is courtesy. Carts should not try to "push" or intimidate bikes or walkers. In return, walkers and bikers should be aware of things approaching from behind so that, when it is safe and reasonable to do so, move aside so the carts can safely get by. If both parties play nice they will both be happy. If either party does not act with courtes, then both parties will complain here.

Courtesy of all parties IS THE KEY! You can see just from this post (and others) that some people (on all three sides, bikers, walkers, and carts) feel they are entitled and do not have to show any courtesy for the other two groups using the MMPs. Fortunately, I have found them to be in the minority. Unfortunately, they are the ones that shout the loudest and most!

[toeser]

Originally Posted by fdpaq0580

Could they pull off the path for a minute to let the backed up carts go by???

As a biker, I do that all the time. No cart ever has to follow me for more than 15-20 seconds.

[bobeaston]

I'm ~mostly~ with the Toymeister on this one. The problem described by the OP seems unreal. Those sections of the MMP are wide open and there is plenty of room to pass. Maybe it was a timid cart driver, afraid to pass, that was more responsible for the backup than the trike riders?

My wife and I ride trikes on the MMPs and have found courtesy and compromise to be the best policy. When we are on MMPs, we ride single file and stay to the right. Typically, we are moving 8-10 mph, and carts rarely have problems passing us. Yes, occasionally they need patience to avoid oncoming traffic, but "backups" are non-existent in our experience.

On the split MMPs, and there's a long one through our village of Chitty Chatty, we often see carts approaching in our mirrors and move further to the right, dropping one wheel onto the turf to make room. Likewise, passing carts sometimes go by with driver side wheels on the turf. No big deal. Courtesy is reciprocal and very very rarely abused.

BTW, some split MMPs have curbing, such as some along Morse, that prevents the one wheel on the turf tactic. For those, we always check the mirrors to see the likelihood of being overtaken for those short splits. In that case, we pull over and wait, usually for only a few seconds.

[daddys55]

Originally Posted by Toymeister

They can and should take the entire lane and walkers should as well.

If a cyclist rides towards the right in the MMP then carts will "share the lane". That is extremely dangerous for the cyclist. Cart drivers can and do force cyclists off the path. If you are in such a rush to pass (an emergency) pass on the grass. All golf carts are designed to do this, most bicycles on the MMPs here are not.

Replace MMP with a two lane public road, carts for cars, and bicycle or ebike for motorcycle.

At anytime in your LIFETIME have you intentionally shared a lane with a motorcycle? What about a 150cc motorcycle (very small, not powerful but road legal)? No, you have not. For exactly the same reason you, as a cart driver should NEVER share a lane with a cyclist. If it is not safe to pass then you follow the cyclist until it is safe to do so. It's pretty simple. Your privilege of operating a cart on a mmp IS NOT SUPERIOR to a cyclist, never.

I can't believe that's have to explain this to an adult.

Slower move over let faster go by the speed limit is 20 not 5

[Bill14564]

Originally Posted by bobeaston

I'm ~mostly~ with the Toymeister on this one. The problem described by the OP seems unreal. Those sections of the MMP are wide open and there is plenty of room to pass. Maybe it was a timid cart driver, afraid to pass, that was more responsible for the backup than the trike riders?

That day was the first day of the Strawberry Festival in Brownwood and there were huge numbers of carts moving in both directions. If there were two trikes riding single file with no room for a cart between (certainly reasonable) traveling 8-10 mph in the open areas then it would take quite a lot of empty space to feel comfortable pulling out to pass. It is at least conceivable that there were enough carts returning from Brownwood that there were few gaps large enough to make a safe pass.

I wasn't there to see what happened and I have never experienced that kind of backup myself - it could be completely fabricated. However, I'm not willing to call someone a liar when the situation they describe is at least plausible.

[PurePeach]

Originally Posted by Toymeister

Bicycles have every right to be on the MMPs.

The reason that there was a backup was because the first cart determined that there was not enough room to perform a safe pass of the cyclists.

If that bothers you or slows you down then get your keys, open your garage, and drive your automobile.

Your privilege of operating a cart on the MMP ends exactly where the cyclist's begins. Your privilege is not greater than anyone else's in The Villages.

We’ll said, Toymeister!!!

[golfing eagles]

Originally Posted by BevEnglish

We’ll said, Toymeister!!!

No, NOT well said. The cyclist's privileges do not exceed anyone else's either.

Do you really think 2 trikes going 5 mph have the right to effectively shut down an entire MMP?

[Chellybean]

I think this whole thread shows the mentality of golfers rule and the others should take a backseat to them and move out of there way. It goes back to Entitled people and AHOLES. JMHO

[Bill14564]

Originally Posted by Chellybean

I think this whole thread shows the mentality of golfers rule and the others should take a backseat to them and move out of there way. It goes back to Entitled people and AHOLES. JMHO

Really? Where in the entire thread did anyone mention golfers? The dozens of carts I saw at Brownwood were not there for golfing. The 25 carts I sat behind trying to get into Hillsborough were not there for golfing. My cart has never carried a golf bag or driven on a golf course and I would be surprised if the same wasn't true for 50% of the carts in the Villages. While there is definitely a sense of entitlement running through this thread, the thread is not about golfers at all.

[golfing eagles]

Originally Posted by Bill14564

Really? Where in the entire thread did anyone mention golfers? The dozens of carts I saw at Brownwood were not there for golfing. The 25 carts I sat behind trying to get into Hillsborough were not there for golfing. My cart has never carried a golf bag or driven on a golf course and I would be surprised if the same wasn't true for 50% of the carts in the Villages. While there is definitely a sense of entitlement running through this thread, the thread is not about golfers at all.

As the British say: Hear, hear!