Bike etiquette
 

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.. Also if you choose to ride on a road with no shoulder or bike path and it has stop signs and you have your feet clipped onto pedals you are an idiot. Why not try driving your car with your foot clipped to the gas pedal. With all the older vision impaired drivers here I never ride where there is not a MM path, a cart lane, or bike lane. I would never ride a bike down BV or MB that is a death wish and I plan on enjoying my retirement not being killed by a half blind driver in a hurry to nowhere important to do nothing or maybe not wanting to be late for Judge Judy after going out for a lunch time martini.

Dr Franklin,
You’re almost 300 years old! Claim the grandfather clause or founding father clause and do whatever the hell you want! 😂

Bicycles are allowed by law to be on public streets. It's the law in every state. Golf carts are not legally allowed to drive on a public road unless a community changes the law for their City. Lobby to change the law if you want to drive your golf cart on a road with a speed limit of 35 mph or more, who knows Sumter County might consider it. You want change, be proactive and try to bring it about instead of just complaining.

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."

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

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

Totally agree.

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

:coolsmiley:

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.

Which way did dey go ???
 

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

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

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.

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

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

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.

Are cyclists supposed to ride single file?

Edit:

Found this...don't know if this link was posted....don't want to go through the whole thread

Info for Group Riding | Florida Bicycle Association.

Duplicate

There is a whole lot of room of improvement on both sides.

First let's assume that no one petitions, successfully, to forbid ebikes from the pedestrian paths or change the recent state law which allows ebikes on those paths.

Walkers: walk on one side of the path. Be aware of your surroundings, yes that means get off your phone and do not use ear buds. Listen for the cyclist warning you of their approach. That may be verbal or a bell ringing. Acknowledge that you hear it (a hand wave). Keep your dog on a reasonable length lead, no one wants to hurt a dog or get a bite. Male walkers, get your hearing checked and treated.

Bikers: signal your approach, treat everyone as a blind deaf walker.

In my experience 50 to 70% of male walkers don't hear the frantic bell ringing behind them. Either they are deaf or think the ice cream man is coming. Women are much more likely to hear you if they aren't talking on the phone or listening to music. Most people appreciate the warning if they hear it.

We can all get along!

If walkers are supposed to walk against traffic, and cyclists are supposed to ride with the traffic, the walker would see the cyclist, and vise versa...no?

This is addressing a comment about pedestrian paths. There is no
"traffic" on pedestrian paths.

No you don't ride head on to every walker, you ride with them, on the same side of the path

So pedestrian paths are all one way?
Just asking

Pedestrian paths are common in the newest sections, they accommodate two way pedestrian s. The carts move on a diamond lane next to the car lane. The pedestrian lane and cart lanes merge into one at numerous points, at tunnels and bridges.

Bicycles have a choice, they can be on the pedestrian lane or the diamond lane. At many points walkers also have a choice. In either lane someone thinks cyclists are a nuisance and shouldn't be there but in the other lane. Carts don't like following you until they pass and as demonstrated here, and walkers think you are in "their" path.

Thanks. I would have to see it to understand it

It allows you to apply power to the pedals throughout the cycle—not just the downstroke.

I agree. Bikers already treat stop signs as yield signs. Unfortunately, they also treat yield signs as if they aren't there, especially if entering a RB as a pack.

If a motorist traveling in a RB plows into a pack of cyclists who have blown through the yield sign, who is to blame????

The bikers.

The motorist has right of way

But it can definitely be confusing when a big group of cyclists is going into a traffic circle and must split because of a car. Confusing on both sides!

I drive slowly thru the roundabouts with my hand ready to press on the horn. I often give a long honk at people. One time I had to honk at two people in the same roundabout.

However, if I were doing a 3/4 turn in a roundabout and saw a group of bikers coming thru, I would definitely stop for them.

In our case, we love to ride our bikes but we do not do it anywhere north of Route 44. We go down to St. Catherine or Marsh Bend to ride on the beautiful trails that do not allow golf carts.

I was an avid runner and bicyclist in northern New England. Lots of fantastic hills. Remember those? So, please, I do know the appeal and benefits therein.

We rode a bit down here until my wife had an awful accident riding through a Village's tunnel. Major surgery and rehab followed.

Now I look upon bicyclists and sans helmet motorcycle riders much the same as do physicians. And that is as potential organ donors.

Where I come from, bicycles aren't supposed to ride on the sidewalks (other than kids on kiddie trikes or with training wheels who are still learning how to ride, in front of their own houses). If you want to ride a 2-wheeled bike, you're supposed to ride it in the road. I'd never ride a bike on a *pedestrian* path. The only "vehicle" that should be allowed on a *pedestrian* path would be your feet, roller skates, a wheelchair (manual or electric), one of those neat knee-scooters for people with a bad leg, maybe a skateboard. Whether that's the rule or not, I don't know. But that's what it should be.

It is not that difficult to be courteous to carts when riding a bike on the shared path. Lots of times I will pull over and let the carts pass. Most are appreciative of the jester. When I am in my cart I return the gesture to the cyclists. What is a few extra seconds.

It really all depends. If I'm bicycling uphill, I'm not going to pull over and let a cart pass until I get to the top of the hill. Starting in the middle of a hill from a complete stop on a bicycle is very difficult to do.

I pull as far to the right as I can, and slow down if it's practical to do so, so that they can pass me. But there's no reason for me to stop for every golf cart that wants to pass (which would typically be every golf cart coming up behind me).

If it's not practical to let them pass me, I'll speed up and go as fast as I can, so as to minimize their need to slow down.

When on my bike, I let carts go by all the time. I ride a hybrid specifically so I can safely exit the pavement onto the grass anytime I need to and ride on the grass for a short distance while the cart passes.

My main goal is of course self preservation :), but a close second is courtesy to the cart. It causes me no heartburn whatsoever...and almost no delay.

We do not care what the rules are where you came from.
We care about the rules in place here.

In TV, that is allowed and we do it all the time

As you know, that is NOT the rule here.

On Sunday, we went down to St. Catherine and had a long and very enjoyable ride on the beautiful walking/biking paths.