[JMintzer]

Originally Posted by tsmall22204

Oh you know so much.

Who?

[JMintzer]

Originally Posted by brianherlihy

i drive a golf cart. and the cyclist blowing through a stop or yield sign all the time . so i dont stop , cyclist when thay du in will

I think I'm getting the hang of Brian's posts...

"I drive a golf cart and there are cyclists blowing through a stop or yield sign all of the time. So, I don't stop. When they do (stop), I will (also stop)..."

[Mrodmh]

Originally Posted by Number 10 GI

With all the impaired driving ability drivers on the streets in this area, riding a bicycle is the absolutely last activity I would consider doing. I used to own a motorcycle until I had an accident caused by inattentive driver. Luckily all I suffered is a broken collarbone and a bunch or bruises. As much as I would like to ride one again, a motorcycle and bicycle rider in this area is a body parts doner.

I agree! The likelihood of getting hit on these streets is too great for me.

[Pommom91]

Bicyclists take their life in their hands while riding on any street in The Villages.

[Jeanne wilson]

Originally Posted by Toymeister

Here we go, again.

The cyclist, who has ever right to be on the road, is again blamed. Who made the mistake? The motorist, who was not paying attention, the motorist, who will be held criminally and civilly liable, the motorist.

Yet the cyclistpays the price


Why can't a single cyclist or group of them use the MMP someone asked? They can if they wish but some do not because of rude cart drivers, among a myriad of other reasons.


Why do cyclists ride in groups on the road, taking an entire lane? Because it is safer, you see them and cannot share a lane with them.

What can cyclists do to minimize accidents?

1.Take the lane to be seen
2. Wear bright colors, yes even Lycra
3. Use extremely bright flashing lights. I recommend cygolite for the visablity of a thousand suns
4. Install an automotive horn for bikes. I recommend loudbicycle.com
5. Install rear facing radar to warn you of auto traffic approaching

So right on!!! Golf cart drivers are the worst!

[Taurus510]

Originally Posted by Jeanne wilson

So right on!!! Golf cart drivers are the worst!

Pot stirring is enthusiastically encouraged.

[NoMoSno]

Originally Posted by Madelaine Amee

THE STATE OF FLORIDA DOES NOT WANT TO UPSET ITS ELDERLY POPULATION.

One of my neighbors lost sight in one eye and was driving from PA every year with just one eye!, and that too is legal in Florida. To take it even further, what about all the early dementia patients here!

Driving with one eye is legal in ALL 50 states.
It's not considered an impairment.

[MandoMan]

Originally Posted by ThirdOfFive

I ask myself the same question. I often walk the stretch of path from Botello Avenue to Buenos Aires--paved the entire way, with fresh median lines--and will see packs of bicyclists tooling along, taking up a lane of traffic, when they could just as easily take the MMP. I know they have the right. But having the right to do something doesn't always make it the smart thing to do. In car vs. bicycle, bicycle loses every time.

You are right, but the MMPs require a lot more stops and turns and detours from the desired direction. By contrast, a flock of cyclists can ride at 10 MPH the entire length of Sierra Vista virtually without stopping. They slow traffic, but it’s their legal right, even though there are alternative routes. If they had to use the MMPs, their transit time north to south would be at least fifteen minutes longer, and perhaps thirty. Imagine if all golf carts were allowed to drive on Sierra Vista, as well.

When I worked in Beijing for a year, in the early 80s, I enjoyed riding around the city on my one speed bike—on the bike lanes, which were sometimes two car lanes wide. When you are riding a bike, it is easy to come to see yourself as readily visible and safe, but that isn’t true. Once, I was on a tour bus when the driver ran over a bicycle and rider. A bus wheel ran over the rider’s head. The body lay on the street right below my window as we waited for the traffic police to arrive. The squashed head on its side was like a sagging balloon four inches thick. Remember that as you ride by yourself on Sierra Vista enjoying your rights. Ride safely! Be visible!

[VApeople]

Originally Posted by Pommom91

Bicyclists take their life in their hands while riding on any street in The Villages.

I agree. We used to ride around our neighborhood, but that was pretty dull. Now we take our bikes down to Bradford or St. Catherine and go for a long (by our standards) ride on the walking/biking trails.

[Chellybean]

Originally Posted by Toymeister

Here we go, again.

The cyclist, who has ever right to be on the road, is again blamed. Who made the mistake? The motorist, who was not paying attention, the motorist, who will be held criminally and civilly liable, the motorist.

Yet the cyclistpays the price


Why can't a single cyclist or group of them use the MMP someone asked? They can if they wish but some do not because of rude cart drivers, among a myriad of other reasons.


Why do cyclists ride in groups on the road, taking an entire lane? Because it is safer, you see them and cannot share a lane with them.

What can cyclists do to minimize accidents?

1.Take the lane to be seen
2. Wear bright colors, yes even Lycra
3. Use extremely bright flashing lights. I recommend cygolite for the visablity of a thousand suns
4. Install an automotive horn for bikes. I recommend loudbicycle.com
5. Install rear facing radar to warn you of auto traffic approaching

Riding on the Multi use path are just as bad with Golf Cart AHOLES as well!!

[golfing eagles]

Originally Posted by Chellybean

Riding on the Multi use path are just as bad with Golf Cart AHOLES as well!!

Not to mention the cyclist AHOLES, the pedestrian AHOLES, the segway AHOLES, the tricycle AHOLES and the gator AHOLES. Your description, not mine.

[ThirdOfFive]

Originally Posted by Number 10 GI

With all the impaired driving ability drivers on the streets in this area, riding a bicycle is the absolutely last activity I would consider doing. I used to own a motorcycle until I had an accident caused by inattentive driver. Luckily all I suffered is a broken collarbone and a bunch or bruises. As much as I would like to ride one again, a motorcycle and bicycle rider in this area is a body parts doner.

Bingo. Same story here. I had my motorcycle shipped here a couple of months after we arrived, rode it for about a month and sold it. I had more close calls in that month on roads in TV than I had in probably the previous ten years back in Minnesota.

[lpruettusa]

Originally Posted by Bogie Shooter

a century is 100 years.

It is also a 100mile or 100kilometer (62mile) bike ride. Century rides are common cycling events, almost always to raise money for a charity.

[lpruettusa]

Originally Posted by bowlingal

I find driving on Buena Vista by Seabreeze rec center in the morning, the bicyclists whether there be 2 or 10 ride right down the middle of the first lane blocking the whole first lane from cars and trucks. No wonder people get hit. What happened to single file 3 feet from the curb?

Cyclists take the whole lane, as entitled by law, for their life protection (and you pocketbook protection). There is generally not enough room in a single lane for a car to pass a cyclist by the legally required 3 feet between the car and the cyclist (even if the cyclist is hugging the gutter). If the cyclist takes an entire lane, the car must move to the adjoining lane, thereby ensuring that the car gives the cyclist the required 3 feet buffer.

[vintageogauge]

Up until 8 months ago when I had to give it up, I rode my bike every morning for about an hour. I stayed in my neighborhood, did not ride on any major roads unless I had to cross one, and never did a week go bye without me being in a close call with either a car, truck, or golf car not looking at the road at least once and some were very close calls that would have caused serious injures or even death. I learned to pay close attention to anything that could move including other bikes. It really is a danger riding even in the neighborhoods. In closing I gained 13 pounds since I had to quit riding.