[DianeM]

Driving my car is so much easier.

[worcester]

I ride a bike occassionally. I feel far safer on the roads vs MMP especially under the tunnels

[ithos]

Originally Posted by JerryLBell

I'm not sure how a bicyclist is to "let" you pass them. If the multi-modal path is 2-lane, then you just pull out into the oncoming lane (assuming traffic allows) and pass them. If the multi-modal path is 1-lane (there are many areas where they split into two 1-lane paths), then there isn't room in that single lane for your golf cart, a bicyclist and the three feet of clearance that you are required to have by law to be able to pass them. Are you asking them to leave to path to allow you by? Usually, these single-lane sections are relatively short and even if a bicycle isn't going all that fast, you're surely not inconvenience by more than a minute or so. Are you in that much of a hurry?

By the way, the same thing is true for automobiles on roads. In areas where there is a single lane and no multi-modal (or "diamond") path, that lane isn't wide enough for a car or truck, a bicyclist and the minimum three feet of clearance. By law, the driver of the car or truck must yield to the bicyclist and not pass them until there is adequate room, which means either the road is back to two lanes or there is again a multi-model path or bicycle lane for the bicyclist to pull into.

And while there may be some jerks on bicycles who do actively slow down to frustrate drivers, they are in the minority I'm sure. If they are slowing down, it's usually because the road or path has changed inclination to become somewhat uphill. The differences may be so small as to be barely noticed in a motorized vehicle but on a vehicle powered by older human legs, it can definitely slow you down.

Let's face it the guy was being a Total Jerk. It isn't even debatable.

[Polar Bear]

Originally Posted by jswirs

Sorry but I disagree. I have been riding the MM path mentioned, several times a week for almost a year. I have a Cannondale road bike and I have never even begun to have a problem. I stay to the right of the path and let carts pass me on the left, of course when there are no other carts coming in the other direction. It is not necessary at all to ride up onto the grass to let carts pass. Doing so would be more dangerous as there could be tree debris, squirrels, etc., which could cause a bicyclist to lose their balance.

I respect your opinion, but stand by mine...

I've been riding the MM path for 7 years, average of at least 5 times per week on my Giant Cypress LX. I do not often need to go into the grass. You could say I never truly NEED to, but it often makes a potentially questionable situation into a non-issue...with zero risk.

I ride largely like you do, on the right allowing carts to pass me with little difficulty...usually. But on the relatively rare occasions when I go into the grass, it absolutely reduces risk. I reduce my speed as need. Cross at an angle to maintain stability. Avoid debris and such easily.

Occasionally (very infrequently) going into the grass when the situation warrants is definitely not "more dangerous". That's the only point from your post I absolutely disagree with.

Ride safely.

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

Originally Posted by bmit16

I was behind you and let me say, you seemed to be looking to start something. You had ample opportunities to pass the cyclist and instead you chose to tailgate . He tried twice to let you pass and only after you didn't did he speed up. You made me so nervous with your tirade that I ended up passing both of you. The cyclist had the right of way as long as he was in front and you took it upon yourself to harass him for whatever reason. Are you just bored or just mad at cyclist. They have a right to be there and you could have passed many times. I was so angry at you when I finally passed you both that I wanted to call the police on you. You could have gone on up the road in the beginning and avoided all that tension. You were a real jerk!

No idea if you're making this up or were dealing with someone else, but that wasn't me - OR the cyclist. No one passed him.

edited for further clarity: no one passed me either. There was no one to pass either of us, no one behind me, no one ahead of him. There were a couple of golf carts that approached from the opposite direction and one lady was walking a dog on the grassy edge of the MM path. Other than that, it was clear.

So whoever you're talking about - it wasn't me. Or the cyclist.

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

Originally Posted by chrisinva

OBB, I agree completely. As a lifetime member of Adventure Cycling, I was ecstatic (almost) to move to TV & flat FL where there are innumerable biking opportunities. Personally, I ALWAYS slow down when a cart is behind me so that it can pass - common sense as I cannot pedal as fast as the cart wants to go. Cars & carts weigh a lot more than my bike & I don't want to meet any of them.

I know the rules of the road but ALWAYS allow for the possibility 1)the other guy doesn't know the rules or 2) chooses not to follow the rules. Let's be safe out there. And thank you for your patience with this annoying cyclist.

I don't always slow down when I'm cycling, nor do I expect anyone else to. What I DO expect, is that if the person behind you has taken steps already in order to pass you, that you do NOT speed up to intentionally prevent them from doing so.

[Topspinmo]

Originally Posted by banjobob

That is the reason my cart will do 32mph. not that I drive that fast I drive 20/22 mph just to be able to pass at will for so called hot shoe cart and cyclist that can ride 20+ mph

You’re not hottest shoe in golf cart. I got pass in car by cart in diamond lane on right side of me and I was going 33, and yes hav golf clubs loaded.

[coffeebean]

Originally Posted by kenpoboy

If you can’t pass a bike with your golf cart, you either need a new golf cart or you need to learn how to drive the one you have. Really? You couldn’t pass a bicycle??.??

Up hill, I can easily pass a bicyclist in my golf cart. On the downhill, is another story. The bicyclist gains momentum and my golf cart doesn't go fast enough. I have an electric cart and the maximum it will go is 20MPH.

[Dennys37Packard]

I think the right thing would be to slow down, wave them around and go on with your day. Sounds like this person was just being a jerk if he in fact sped up just to keep you from passing and then slowed down again. I bike also but I’m in it for fun, not training for the olympics... I gladly wave people by. They wave, everyone is happy, and we each go about our wonderful day. But that’s just me.

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

Originally Posted by Dennys37Packard

I think the right thing would be to slow down, wave them around and go on with your day. Sounds like this person was just being a jerk if he in fact sped up just to keep you from passing and then slowed down again. I bike also but I’m in it for fun, not training for the olympics... I gladly wave people by. They wave, everyone is happy, and we each go about our wonderful day. But that’s just me.

He didn't need to slow down, he was already going slow enough for me to pass him safely. That's why it was so frustrating, when he sped up WHILE I was in the process of passing him.

[tsmall22204]

I think you need to stay at home with your golf cart that will not pass a bicycle going 12 mph. You sound like Rainman

[jswirs]

Originally Posted by MOMOH

I'm glad there are nicer cyclists out there that will get over to the right to let a golf cart pass. My experience, however, is that most cyclists DO speed up just as I am going to pass them ...especially if there is a divide coming up, and then they slow down. It's aggressive on their part, and frustrating for the cart driver..I'm sure they drive a cart too...and I'm sure they are pretty aggressive in the cart when confronted with the same situation. Just be nice!

I'm a bicyclist, I've been here almost a year now and I have never seen a biker speed up a as you say. I can not imagine why any biker would do that, the biker can not keep up with a cart, and can only lose and chance getting hurt, or even killed. I just simply have never seen it.

[Starfire]

Originally Posted by Abob954

That being said, when cycling along split paths (e.g., 466, 466a, Buena Vista, etc.), there is only room for one vehicle, and that includes cyclists. Most carts stay a respectful distance behind, but a few will attempt to pass, and express displeasure when I refuse to let them pass. There have been two instances where a cart has hit my handlebar causing me to fall. I am in good shape and suffered only scratches, but for many people, it would cause serious injury. I have observed other cyclists suffer the same fate.

I strongly suggest that if you are a biker and do not feel it is safe to let a cart pass on a split path, that you ride IN THE MIDDLE OF THE LANE and not to the right side. If you give room to pass, carts will think you are being courteous and take the pass (rightly or wrongly).

[kcrazorbackfan]

Originally Posted by OrangeBlossomBaby

So you're on a multi-modal path. That's great. You should have a helmet on, but hey that won't affect me one way or another if you lose control or crash into a car at an intersection, so that's all good.

HOWEVER

if I'm behind you, in a golf cart, and the speed limit is 20, and I'm going at a reasonable pace of 16-18mph, then please let me pass you. You were going only around 9mph when I got close. I went to pass you and instead of letting me, you sped up to over 12mph. That meant it would take me a lot longer to pass you, and that's unsafe since it's a 2-way multi-modal and only enough room on it for 2 golf carts passing each other - not 2 golf carts and a bicycle.

It wouldn't have been TOO bad, if it was just as far as the stop sign.

But you went all the way from Buena Vista on the Camino Real path, all the way to Paige Place, refusing to allow me to pass you while you continued to speed up and slow down - almost as if you were daring me to go fast enough to succeed safely (which was not possible). You also rode your bike RIGHT THROUGH those stop signs. Every single one of them. On one, you didn't even slow down. You were going 12 mph right through it. That was the entry to one of the villages near the Savannah center.

Don't do that, guy. And wear a helmet if you value your safety because one of these days, the person behind you won't be me. It'll be someone who doesn't give a damn about anyone but his own convenience.

Did he/she have Spandex on? 😄

That seems to make them think they’re above the law and invincible.

They can’t win a collision with cart or vehicle.

[Dr Winston O Boogie jr]

Unless you're at a section of MM path that is divided, there is usually no need for a bicyclist to move over to allow a golf cart to pass. Assuming that there are no vehicles coming the the opposite direction, the cart simply moves into the left hand lane. I've seen a problem when there are multiple cyclist riding together in a group and they don't ride single file. As I said I came across this once and every time I went to pass several of them would move out to the left to prevent me from passing. They were traveling at around 13-15 mph but they refused to let me pass.
There was also an area that I used to travel quite frequently where a group of bicyclist would often be stopped for a rest. The problem was that some of them had a section of their bikes still on the cart path. This particular spot was on a pretty severe curve and you really couldn't well in front of you.
I don't think that all bicyclists are arrogant but certainly some are. Some of those that are serious riders seem to feel that they are superior to the rest of us. Or, they seem to feel that they have a right to be doing whatever it is they're doing. It's too bad because that kind of attitude is going to get someone seriously injured or killed some day. I've seen the same attitude with people that walk on the paths. I ride my bike every day and I try to use common sense. That's all that is really required to keep everyone safe.
The Florida law states that if someone is trying to pass you on a four lane road, you must move over to the right hand lane to allow them to pass. This applies regardless of your speed or their speed. It also states that a vehicle is not allowed to impede another vehicle that is attempting to pass. Now this law applies to motor vehicles, but I would assume that it also might apply to bicycles.
The reason that these laws have been passed is that it has been shown that impeding a vehicle that is trying to pass causes more accidents than does speeding.