[Fastskiguy]

Originally Posted by Ben Franklin

While driving south on Buena Vista, a single bicyclists was peddling in the left lane and cars had to get into the right lane to pass him. I have also observed bicycle groups doing the same thing. I'm not against bicycles using the road, but why can't all carts have as much equal access on the same roads as bicycles

I'd love to take my cart to Seven Mile Drive, even if it's just to cross the 466A at Pinella's Place. It wouldn't be hard to do and would most likely increase business and revenues for Wildwood and the county.

I guarantee there was a reason for the cyclists you saw for riding in the left lane on buena vista, probably to make a left hand turn or take the third exit from a roundabout. They saw a gap in traffic, they moved over into the correct lane while they had a chance.

As far as why you can't take your golf car on regular roads, my theory (just a theory!) is decades of lobbying from big auto and oil companies have made it damn near impossible to use anything other than cars for transportation in this country without risking lift and limb. It's better here than in most places in the US but it's still ridiculously difficult.

Be safe out there guys

Joe

[Fisherman]

I find the opposite. Numerous times the carts and bicyclists roll in front of me, without stopping, as I pull through the gate by Burnsed. They never stop, even when they see the gate arm has lifted and I need to pull ahead. It has become worse since they opened the bridge over 44. The traffic on that path has increased immensely. Recently, three times I have had to slam on my brakes when driving down Deskin Lane as a man on bicycle flys through the side streets never stopping. I rarely see bicyclists stop at the stop signs within our neighborhood. Many cars and carts don’t either. And as you know, Deskin Lane is a curvy, narrow, busy thoroughfare.

[Toymeister]

Originally Posted by Robbie0723

The e-bikes do 20 mph or more, would be nice if those riders used the diamond lanes when available.

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.

[Windguy]

Originally Posted by tsmall22204

It is not the chicken or the egg, bicyclists do not comply with the very rules they whine that they want cars to obey. If bicyclists would take out their own trash, the car/bicycle relationship would be much better.

What things do cyclists do that cars and carts don’t do? Name even one.

Do cars, carts, and bikes treat most stop signs at yield signs? Yes.
Do cars, carts, and bikes signal most turns in advance? No.
Do cars, carts, and bikes come to a complete stop when making a right turn on red? No.
Do most cars and bikes appropriately get in the left lane a half mile ahead of a left turn? Yes.

I’ll name one thing that is different. Is it dangerous for a car or cart to come to a complete stop? No, but it is for cyclists who clip into their pedals.

If you obey all traffic rules, you are one in 1,000. You don’t have the right to complain about others if don’t follow the strict letter of the law.

What’s really at issue here is that drivers don’t like being delayed for 30 seconds because cyclists are legally sharing the road.

[crash]

Originally Posted by Ben Franklin

"Bicycles pre-date cars, so were on the roads ahead of cars." And horses & buggy's predated bicycles, and people predated horses. So does that mean horse and people can walk in the roadway?

No, the lone bicyclist and the bike group were not going to make a left anytime soon. Gas carts pay a road tax, bicycles don't. However, I have already stated that I have no problem with bicycles sharing the road. I also believe carts should be able to access certain roads and places of business where no cart path is available.

You can already do that if you register your cart and add windshield wipers and seat belts. In other words make it street legal. You can then access roads with speed limits of up to 35 mph.

[toeser]

I am a high-miles bike rider who rides seven days per week. I put more miles on my bicycle than many people put on their car.

While I understand it is perfectly legal for a bicycle to be on the 35+ mph roads, if they are there for purely recreational riding, I think it's a terrible practice. When the roads are busy, every single car that has to go around the biker takes a risk merging into faster traffic on the left. I think one has to be a bit of a prima donna to inconvenience so many other people.

[DAVES]

I ride a bike, drive a golf cart and a car.
Laws? We all know the chance of people knowing subtle complex sections of the driving code is slight. The chance of them following them is far slighter.

The term accident is not correct. Most accidents like 99% are avoidable.

Control of the situation. You have far more control over what YOU choose to do than the other driver no matter whether they on on a bike, a golf cart or a car.

[toeser]

Originally Posted by La lamy

I also used to roll through stops if no one was near, but a cop stopped me on Rio Grande and Del Mar for not doing my full stop. Now I'm one of the very few who always do my full stop. I feel stupid, but definitely don't want a ticket. Beware the cops will stop you if you don't.

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.

[Bilyclub]

Originally Posted by Windguy

What things do cyclists do that cars and carts don’t do? Name even one.

I’ll name one thing that is different. Is it dangerous for a car or cart to come to a complete stop? No, but it is for cyclists who clip into their pedals.

If you obey all traffic rules, you are one in 1,000. You don’t have the right to complain about others if don’t follow the strict letter of the law.

What’s really at issue here is that drivers don’t like being delayed for 30 seconds because cyclists are legally sharing the road.

Why would you clip into pedals if it's dangerous? Sounds like an unsafe practice.

[RayAmb]

More people are injured or killed on bicycles than carts. Probably because they share the road. If the law enforcement enforced the traffic regulations. Everyone would be safer. By the way did you know there is a 316 Fla. Statue that prohibits the left lane usage except for certain maneuvers. The person on the bicycle seems to have been in violation of at least 2 316 F.s. And should have been cited. Bicycles just no longer fit roadways in today’s traffic environment. Bike paths yes,,,,, golf cart path ???? Look at the hit and run statistics for bicycles. THINK SAFETY FIRST.

[Larchap49]

Originally Posted by Windguy

What things do cyclists do that cars and carts don’t do? Name even one.

Do cars, carts, and bikes treat most stop signs at yield signs? Yes.
Do cars, carts, and bikes signal most turns in advance? No.
Do cars, carts, and bikes come to a complete stop when making a right turn on red? No.
Do most cars and bikes appropriately get in the left lane a half mile ahead of a left turn? Yes.

I’ll name one thing that is different. Is it dangerous for a car or cart to come to a complete stop? No, but it is for cyclists who clip into their pedals.

If you obey all traffic rules, you are one in 1,000. You don’t have the right to complain about others if don’t follow the strict letter of the law.

What’s really at issue here is that drivers don’t like being delayed for 30 seconds because cyclists are legally sharing the road.

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.

[rockyhyder]

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

[Villagesgal]

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.

[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."

[Ben Franklin]

Originally Posted by crash

You can already do that if you register your cart and add windshield wipers and seat belts. In other words make it street legal. You can then access roads with speed limits of up to 35 mph.

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