[Fastskiguy]

Originally Posted by Larry chappel

I agree with almost all you said, but (I am an avid bike rider by the way) bicycling groups definitely think the entire road belongs to them. I've never seen an exception to that. For the most part they fill the road, they don't even slow down much less stop at intersections of smaller roads or cart paths. Most have mirrors and know when they are holding up traffic but don't care.. .

They are filling the space so that cars must make an actual "pass" using the other lane instead of trying to squeeze by where there is no room. That "squeezing by" maneuver cars sometimes try to do is incredibly dangerous for the cyclist so it's much safer for the cyclist to "close the door".

Of course the car driver is going to have to slow down for a few seconds (or possibly even one minute) and for some the burden is just too great.

[Ben Franklin]

Originally Posted by OrangeBlossomBaby

Bicycles, having no motor, are therefore exempt from the motor vehicle code/laws/regulations. They're not motor vehicles. They are regulated by the specific road's rules, rather than the motor vehicle code.

Bicycles are not allowed on interstate highways (such as 4 or 75 or Florida's Turnpike or I-95). They are given similar rights and regulations to pedestrians, skateboarders, and electric wheelchairs.

I don't know why anyone would be questioning the rules about bicycles in comparison to the rules about golf carts. Bicycles can't carry passengers (motorcycles can so you can't even compare to that). Bicycles don't have motors (ebikes are in a different category). Bicycles don't have to be on a road at all; many are designed to ride on the grass, over bumps, through rough terrain (such as mine, which is a hybrid trail bike). Unlike passengers, bicycles, when they ARE on the road, are required to ride in the same direction as traffic. And so if they need to take a left, they MUST move over to the left lane. Bicycle riders -can- be ticketed for speeding. Bicycles can exceed the speed limit. Can, meaning "capable." Not "permitted."

Not really interested that some politicians created a law. The question is why? Can an unmotorized wheel chair use the roadways? A unicycle? Skate boards? Can anything not motorized use the roadways? I'm looking more for the logic as opposed to the law.

[Rodneysblue]

Well for one , golf cars are wider than 18".

[willbush]

Originally Posted by Girlcopper

Yes, bikes can be on the road and MUST follow the same rules as a car. Its Florida law not just a courtesy thing. No bike should be holding up traffic in the left lane and can be given a citation for impeding traffic. They also must follow all laws for vehicle traffic and can be given a citation just like a driver. They are supposed to ride single file on the right side of the road. Not 3 abreast blocking lanes. Drivers must give them 2 feet leeway when passing them. So, if us drivers have to be careful passing them and allowing more room , maybe they should have some care about their own safety. Anyone who bike rides and impedes traffic in any way can be cited and should be. Im an avid rider and these knuckleheads give us all a bad name. If you dont know bike laws and rules. Look them up. Its public record and not a secret the cops keep.

Actually it's 3 feet - Florida law requires that motorists give cyclists a minimum of three feet of clearance and reduce their speed. Same for Thirty-two states who have a law requiring a motorist to provide at least 3 feet of space when passing a bicyclist as of 2018.

[Toymeister]

Originally Posted by Ben Franklin

The point would be then - why don't bicycles have safety belts.

You clearly don't understand physics.

In the age of social practices on the internet everyone seems to think their opinions are important.

No, they are not.

Bicycles are operating legally and as described, safely. Because YOU don't like it simply does not matter.

[Lakeside5012]

Roads were originally created for bicycle use. It was difficult for the users to ride on the rutted horse and carriage trails. Luckily, when cars were invented, the roads for them already existed. Today Florida state law allows for a bicycle to use the full lane on a two lane road where there is no bicycle lane. The best way to get your wish to ride the four lane roads free of bicycles is to lobby the Florida State Legislature. However, if they changed the law to allow you to drive in any lane you wished without being slowed by another vehicle, bicyclists would be restricted from riding any distances because roads outside The Villages do not have multi-modal paths. Many Villagers ride 40-100 miles per day outside The Villages. They have to use our residential streets at some point to get outside our area. Would it be better to have all of them in The Villages riding on the cart paths. Would you still complain when you got behind one or a group of bikes. And imagine how long it would take a car who is sitting behind a group of twelve bicycles to get through a four-way stop if each bike had to stop and allowing the other cars in the intersection to alternate their turns. Be careful what you wish for.

Most Villagers enjoy some activity. We all contribute by way of our amenities fees to building rec centers, courts, courses, pools, etc. so that they can enjoy their activities. Thankfully, we don't complain when our neighbor takes advantage of one of these that we are paying for when we ourselves my not choose to use them. Cyclists pay for their bikes and related equipment and use the roads that already exist without any additional cost to any Villager. Let's extend to them the same graciousness that we extend to those who use all the recreation facilities that we all pay for.

In Europe, motorists are quite accommodating to the bicyclists and extravagant cycle parking areas are found in most larger cities. They appreciate bicycles. The bicycle does not pollute, contributes to good physical and mental health, provides transportation at no cost to the user, and adds no cost to the community. Consider what the traffic would be like if each of those cycles was a motor vehicle, especially one pulling a trailer.

As for the cyclist riding in the left lane: no cyclist chooses to ride in the left lane unless they are following the law or considering a safety issue. It is more difficult and stressful be in the left-hand lane. Their mirrors are mounted on the left side of the bike or helmet leaving the right side blins. You were traveling much faster than the bike that you referenced so it may have been out of your view when it moved in or out of the left hand lane. Perhaps the cyclists had planned to make a turn that was not viable in the traffic that was surrounding him/her causing a route change. It happens to all of us no matter what our chosen vehicle is. We should stop second guessing other drivers unless we know they are doing something unlawful. Please stop pointing fingers at cyclists. Yes, some do not know the law, but drivers of carts and vehices also may be ignorant of a few laws and break many when they think the can do so safely. For instance, did you know that it is illegal for a vehicle to come within 3 feet of a bicycle on the road, even if passing on a two lane road. And although rolling stops are frowned on for bicycles, it is often much safer for cyclist to roll through a stop after checking traffic than putting a foot down at a stop and then restarting, especially in a group. A car driver who does not stop, may require 50 feet to bring his vehicle to a stop after going through a stop sign. A cyclist may need one foot. Not looking and not stopping is dangerous for all vehicle operators.

Be thankful that residents want to ride bikes. It keeps them healthy. They will not be taking up your doctors' appointments, parking spaces, and waits in pharmacy lines. They will not be slowing you down in the aisles of stores because it is difficult for them to move. They will be easy to pass on the road and they will probably be a safer driver in a car because they have learned to be so aware. Maybe that cyclist will be the one to offer to help you when a task is too physically difficult for you. Let's thank heaven for all of us who are concerned about our own personal well-being and are motivated enough to get the exercise that we need. It makes our whole community stronger.

[Polar Bear]

Originally Posted by toeser

Bikers should push the legislature to adopt the "Idaho Stop" law. It allows bikers to safely treat stop signs as yield signs. It is a safety issue. When bikes are made to come to a full stop, it takes them much longer to get through an intersection because of inertia. This law does not allow a biker to blast through a stop sign at 20 mph, but to carefully roll through when there is no traffic to yield to...

Totally agree.

I think the law will eventually be adopted everywhere. The sooner the better.

[Altavia]

Originally Posted by toeser

Bikers should push the legislature to adopt the "Idaho Stop" law. It allows bikers to safely treat stop signs as yield signs. It is a safety issue. When bikes are made to come to a full stop, it takes them much longer to get through an intersection because of inertia. This law does not allow a biker to blast through a stop sign at 20 mph, but to carefully roll through when there is no traffic to yield to.

I ride tens of thousands of miles and have never had an accident.

[Altavia]

Originally Posted by Toymeister

Except out Governor signed into LAW that ebikes are allowed anywhere bicycles are allowed unless specifically prohibited, effective August 2020. So again this discussion circles around to cyclists operating their bikes as our elected lawmakers intended.

Just to be clear, I wasn't questioning the LAW, (which is no reason to throw out courtesy and common sense...) I said it would be NICE if e-bikes used the diamond lanes when available. Especially in the southern sections with the extensive pedestrian paths (sidewalks) and separate diamond lanes for 20 mph vehicles like golf carts.

No doubt an ebike doing 20+ on a sidewalk would do some damage hitting a pedestrian.

[Worldseries27]

Originally Posted by dtennent

when a similar thread arose about a year ago, i decided to observe golf carts coming to intersections. I stopped counting after 100 carts. Results - 86 carts did not make a complete stop at any stop sign. Of the other 14, there were golf carts coming down the intersecting path for 10. Only 4 people came to a complete stop without a golf cart near by.

I have to admit that i roll through intersections if i don't see any traffic - that includes both my golf cart and my bicycle. However, given what i see from cars and golf carts around here, i never assume someone is going to stop at a stop sign. I also don't go out onto morse and buena vista south of 466.

i too have sworn to avoid morse code s o s blvd at all costs.
Ps. If going south on 301 from the north hang a left at darryl's restaurant & you'll be in brownwood in under 10 minutes
don't tell anybody

[Bertram00]

Originally Posted by tophcfa

Bicycles versus Carts? I will put my money on the carts!

Capabilities, skills and attentiveness of bicycle riders vs cart drivers - I will put my money on the bicycle riders.

[Bertram00]

Originally Posted by DaleDivine

IMHO at least 90% of the stop signs in TV should be YIELD signs.

That would be an unnecessary expense to replace them as 90% of Villagers treat them as yield signs already, not to mention how many think yield signs mean stop even with no traffic for miles around.

[HORNET]

Bicycles have the right to operate by State Laws, with the same rights as automobiles on public roads.

[ohiosbestus]

I would suggest that the bicycles have vehicle licenses to be able to drive on the roads. Is that the law in Florida?

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

Originally Posted by toeser

Bikers should push the legislature to adopt the "Idaho Stop" law. It allows bikers to safely treat stop signs as yield signs. It is a safety issue. When bikes are made to come to a full stop, it takes them much longer to get through an intersection because of inertia. This law does not allow a biker to blast through a stop sign at 20 mph, but to carefully roll through when there is no traffic to yield to.

I ride tens of thousands of miles and have never had an accident.

I agree 100% with this. I didn't know there was such a law, but it's genius. I'll look that up and see if there's any groups supporting the same here, and I'll offer my voice to their efforts.