[gomoho]

Personally I think you would have to be nuts to ride a recumbant in TV. Talk about an accident waiting to happen!

[eremite06]

Originally Posted by gomoho

Personally I think you would have to be nuts to ride a recumbant in TV. Talk about an accident waiting to happen!

I ride around my neighborhood. Have a big pole with a high flying flag. Usually there's no car or cart behind me.

Try it, you'll like it, Butch.

[Suzi]

Originally Posted by perrjojo

As I always say,
Share The Road, it's the law!!! On one thread I see people blast those who do not lead a healthy life style and then on the next thread blast cyclist and walkers who are out trying to exercise and be healthy. These people are walking and riding where they have a right to be and I am sorry that it seems to annoy some. Yes, there is a risk riding on the road, just as there is a risk driving on the road. It would be interesting to find out why this particular cyclist was hit.

Since I have been watching, enjoying and participating in TOTV for the last year, I have been intrigued by some posters who have - lets say - a real dislike for bicycle riders. Yes, bikers may bend some rules such as stop signs, they may ride "fast" and they may wear what some consider "inappropriate" colored clothing; that all may be true. But, I have seen auto drivers "commit" the same "sins" but the WRATH of some of the posters is not with the same level of "hate" I hear about bikers. What goes?
I have come to the conclusion: many people are jealous. They wish they were that fit OR they are afraid of the bikers because they are afraid they may hit them......because they can't see as well or drive as well as they once did.
When I see the bikers, walkers, golfers etc etc, I smile! I am so happy to see anyone, everyone out enjoying themselves and keeping fit and happy. It is not up to the auto driver or anyone else to say what any person can or cannot do IF IT IS LEGAL. Just the same as you cannot tell someone to stop smoking or not eat a big-mac, you should not be so strident about disliking bikers. It is legal...and besides it is good for them. Probably much safer than big-mac's and smoking.

[perrjojo]

Originally Posted by Suzi

Since I have been watching, enjoying and participating in TOTV for the last year, I have been intrigued by some posters who have - lets say - a real dislike for bicycle riders. Yes, bikers may bend some rules such as stop signs, they may ride "fast" and they may wear what some consider "inappropriate" colored clothing; that all may be true. But, I have seen auto drivers "commit" the same "sins" but the WRATH of some of the posters is not with the same level of "hate" I hear about bikers. What goes?
I have come to the conclusion: many people are jealous. They wish they were that fit OR they are afraid of the bikers because they are afraid they may hit them......because they can't see as well or drive as well as they once did.
When I see the bikers, walkers, golfers etc etc, I smile! I am so happy to see anyone, everyone out enjoying themselves and keeping fit and happy. It is not up to the auto driver or anyone else to say what any person can or cannot do IF IT IS LEGAL. Just the same as you cannot tell someone to stop smoking or not eat a big-mac, you should not be so strident about disliking bikers. It is legal...and besides it is good for them. Probably much safer than big-mac's and smoking.

Thank you Suzi!

[Chazz]

Originally Posted by gomoho

Personally I think you would have to be nuts to ride a recumbant in TV. Talk about an accident waiting to happen!

I ride a recumbent, as does my wife and several friends who live in TV. I think we are relatively sane, thank you.

If you're referring to the fact that we are lower than upright bikes, that is a fair argument. However, most recumbent riders take extra precautions to be noticed (e.g. flags and high intensity flashing lights) and to be heard where visibility is compromised (e.g. roundabouts) very loud air horns.

In practice, I have had no case of problems with being noticed by motor vehicles any where in TV. On the flip side, I had experienced problems on my upright, in one case getting forced off the road. I think, in part, it may be because uprights are so common that they almost become invisible to drivers, whereas recumbents are still unusual and draw attention.

[Chazz]

The OP reported an accident involving a bicycle rider and a motorist on Buena Vista. Although he followed up with broad opinions on cyclists and how they ride, which provoked the usual storm of other opinions, I didn't see anything about the details of what happened. Most importantly, how is the cyclist? Was a citation issued to any of the parties?

[perrjojo]

Originally Posted by Chazz

The OP reported an accident involving a bicycle rider and a motorist on Buena Vista. Although he followed up with broad opinions on cyclists and how they ride, which provoked the usual storm of other opinions, I didn't see anything about the details of what happened. Most importantly, how is the cyclist? Was a citation issued to any of the parties?

I am with you...I would like a follow up on what "really" happened.

[Skybo]

Originally Posted by Suzi

I have come to the conclusion: many people are jealous. They wish they were that fit OR they are afraid of the bikers because they are afraid they may hit them......because they can't see as well or drive as well as they once did.

That may be true in a few cases....but I’m of the opinion, if someone acts like an a$$hole here in The Villages, more than likely, they always acted like an a$$hole, wherever they lived.

To read some of the posts on this site you would think that TV is a crazy cacophony of chaotic drivers of every imaginable conveyance.

But the truth is...the drivers/riders/walkers that you read about here on TOTV are a very small sampling of what actually takes place in The Villages. Naturally, what you hear about are the complaints...no one has reason to talk about the tens of thousands of cars/carts/bikes/walkers/runners that share the road without problem on a daily basis.

Originally Posted by Suzi

When I see the bikers, walkers, golfers etc etc, I smile! I am so happy to see anyone, everyone out enjoying themselves and keeping fit and happy.

I feel the same way!

[LndLocked]

To read some of the posts on this site you would think that TV is a crazy cacophony of chaotic drivers of every imaginable conveyance.

But the truth is...the drivers/riders/walkers that you read about here on TOTV are a very small sampling of what actually takes place in The Villages. Naturally, what you hear about are the complaints...no one has reason to talk about the tens of thousands of cars/carts/bikes/walkers/runners that share the road without problem on a daily basis.

This is a very valid point. While I am not sure exactly how many are TOTV members, I do know that the number of truly active posters is small. Yet, a surprising number think that the vocal few speak for / represent the 100K. Heck most of them are seemingly unaware of what what TV looks like north of 466 and heaven forbid east of 441.

I would be willing to wager the ranch that if you stopped 1000 cars on BVB and asked them if they knew what TOTV was .... at most the % of yes would be in the low low single digits.

[CFrance]

Originally Posted by LndLocked

A dog poop thread is just around the corner ..... it circumnavigated a roundabout in the wrong direction and is currently running a stop sign after saving 84 seats in each square.

Rinse & repeat

You have given fodder for about 17 new threads!

[Polar Bear]

Originally Posted by Suzi

...When I see the bikers, walkers, golfers etc etc, I smile! I am so happy to see anyone, everyone out enjoying themselves and keeping fit and happy...

Agree 100%...especially since I plan to be one of them later this summer. :^)

[GaryW]

Originally Posted by Bosoxfan

Thank you...someone finally understands! Multi modal paths are more dangerous for the experienced cyclist..Period!!!

Yes they are. My wife and Daughter were hit from behind by a golf cart last year. Daughter had to be taken to hospital via Ambulance. The old cat that did it, just kept telling me I only wanted to get past... Did I do something wrong.. No what gave you that idea,,,,,, My wife on the ground, or better yet my daughter on the ground in pain,,, or better yet the ambulance,,,,, HELLLLOOOO. We were riding at 18mph when he ran into the back of the bikes on a part of the MMP that has the divider between Laurel Valley and Laurel Manor on 466.
Heck I have seen cars and motorcycles on the MMP and trying to go thru the tunnels. SCSO had a cart pulled over on the MMP on EL Camino. One of the those lifted carts with the big tires. I heard the Deputy tell him he was doing 32MPH down the MMP. Not sure what speed limit is, I am guessing 19 or 21 mph. So it is dangerous everywhere I guess.

And not even sure why the SCSO had him stopped. THey can not enforce the MMP. they had him stopped by the Savannah Center.

[LndLocked]

I must admit that I saw a cyclist (alone) on BVB today on a dark colored bike with all dark attire (helmet, jersey & shorts) with no lights of any kind. Not the smartest thing I have ever seen. Fortunately, these clueless ones are in the heavy minority.

GaryW ..... sorry for the injury's to your family. Their are lame people everywhere! BTW .... do you work at a local bike ship? msg the answer if you would prefer.