[Larchap49]

Originally Posted by dhdallas

Where are these sidewalks? I have never seen any in TV. I always use my bicycle bell or call out when approaching a walker but many of them have earphones on and do not hear me. They need to turn down the volume and stay to the right.

Noooo stay to the left facing traffic. That has always been the recommended way for pedestrians walking anywhere involving traffic and pedestrians sharing paths or roadways

[vintageogauge]

Originally Posted by DAVES

Typical of all of these threads. Too many people think the world revolves around them.
That is everywhere including the villages.

I am surprised that two people I knew from business have bought places in the back woods. One in Vermont and another with 140 acres in North Carolina.

I expect there will be posts blaming bike riders, others blaming walkers and other golf carts and cars.

I could visit my friend in Vermont or the one in North Carolina. My back is too old for that.
I could take my mountain bike. I doubt they would be happy seeing me ride off leaving them to do work.

There are options.

There is nothing wrong with retiring in the back woods. After years of a stressful job that sounds good to me. It is something I would do in a heartbeat and there is only one person stopping me, you can guess who she is.

[vintageogauge]

Originally Posted by Bill Dozer

Bicycles are vehicles as are golf carts, walkers should stay on the left facing oncoming vehicles. Whether be roads, MMP or paths, this would provide safety for all traveling.

If walkers stayed on the left the bikers would be mad as they would have to pass them on the right, too confusing for the confused.

[allycat]

The worst is when 2 people riding side by side coming at me and wouldn’t go single file. My dog and I had to quickly step into the grass next to the walking path. This couple has done this to me at least 2 times. Talk about rude and no concern for anyone else’s well being. I have stopped walking on the paths because the streets are literary safer.

[kcrazorbackfan]

Originally Posted by DonnaPoulin

I, myself ride a bike. It is only common courtesy when riding on the sidewalks with walkers to let them know when you are coming by yelling out "On your left". Don't just assume people can hear you coming because they don't. I cant believe more accidents don't happen. And then when you ask the riders to say something, they rudely respond back. If you don't want to be bothered with warning people, then ride on the side of the road where you really belong. I wish they had a rule that all bikers are not to be on the sidewalk before 10:00 a.m. When most people are walking their dogs or walking on the sidewalks. We need to all be considerate of one another. We are so lucky in the southern area of the villages to have sidewalks and the paths on the side of the road. There's no reason for us to feel like we are taking our life in our hands when we are walking on the sidewalks. Many people I know have stopped walking for this simple reason. It's wonderful to be able to start your day off without having to worry about getting hurt while you are just trying to get some exercise.

Stay off the sidewalks, simple as that. The MMP’s are for bicycles and carts; the sidewalks are for walkers; simple as that.......

[kendi]

Feel better now OP? Think you just solved your problem by posting this on TOTV? Just stay on the proper side of the path and look if you need to change. It's so much easier and pleasant than complaining on social media.

[golfing eagles]

Originally Posted by Toymeister

I am going to ride where I feel safe...........

How about this: Ride where the LAW specifies that you may ride. What's "safe" for you may be dangerous to someone else.

[donfey]

Originally Posted by DonnaPoulin

I, myself ride a bike. It is only common courtesy when riding on the sidewalks with walkers to let them know when you are coming by yelling out "On your left". Don't just assume people can hear you coming because they don't. I cant believe more accidents don't happen. And then when you ask the riders to say something, they rudely respond back. If you don't want to be bothered with warning people, then ride on the side of the road where you really belong. I wish they had a rule that all bikers are not to be on the sidewalk before 10:00 a.m. When most people are walking their dogs or walking on the sidewalks. We need to all be considerate of one another. We are so lucky in the southern area of the villages to have sidewalks and the paths on the side of the road. There's no reason for us to feel like we are taking our life in our hands when we are walking on the sidewalks. Many people I know have stopped walking for this simple reason. It's wonderful to be able to start your day off without having to worry about getting hurt while you are just trying to get some exercise.

IMO, bikers should ride on the right side, along with golf cars. Walkers should walk on the left, facing oncoming bikes and golf cars. So, "on your left" makes no sense.

[collie1228]

I ride my bike early each morning, and as long as I keep my speed down on the multi modal paths, I seldom have any problems. However, some walkers like to walk side by side so they can talk, and when I come up behind them, and say "coming through", they scatter and look at me like I don't belong there. Sorry ladies, I do belong there and you should not be so inconsiderate as to take up the entire multi modal path.

[Raton270]

I couldn’t agree more.

[Windguy]

Originally Posted by Gunny2403

The addition of electric bikes has further exasperated the problem.

How so? I’m asking sincerely so I can understand. Is it because ill-trained and inexperienced cyclists are riding faster than their experience level? Avid cyclists ride fast too, but we are generally better riders and may not be as much of a danger.

[jimjamuser]

Originally Posted by EdFNJ

Yea, lots of antique stuff where we live on the other side of the tracks, I mean 44 over in the 4-30 year old areas. You guys must have moving walkways and no peddle required bike paths down there in the new world.

I guess that north of Route 44 is the old 3rd world area - and south of 44 is the new 1st world area. Maybe all Villagers should wear one of 2 colors for armbands so as to identify the low-class 3rd world inhabitants from the modern, high-class 1st world southern superior citizens. Next someone will suggest that south of Route 44 should secede from the Village Union.

[jimjamuser]

Originally Posted by noslices1

Walkers are supposed to walk on the LEFT side of the paths, walking into traffic coming toward them, so they can see what’s coming at them and can step aside.

That is probably true and is logical and has advantages. But, people will more likely walk to their right as if they are walking in Publix or driving on a 2 lane road. How could you TRAIN them to stay left on the MMPs ? You would have to hand out expensive tickets for a long time to get compliance. An impossible situation???

[jimjamuser]

Originally Posted by rustyp

Simple but excellent point. The problem should rarely be encountered on MMP's and sidewalks. No reason not to walk on the left on those. Giving this a little further thought the OP mentioned dog walkers. Most people are right handed and it likely be natural to hold the dog leash in the right hand. If you were doing this you might be inclined to walk on the right side such that the leash does not cross your body and be a trip hazard. In this case it is the dog walker that has put the cyclist in a bad situation.

That brings up an interesting point about dog walking. Most people are RIGHT-handed so a dog training tradition evolved to where you walk the dog with your LEFT hand - so that when you stop to talk to your neighbor or someone you have not seen in a long time - your RIGHT hand is FREE to shake their hand. I know that is old school but that is the way I learned - it was considered the PROPER way to handle a dog. People that walk a dog with their RIGHT hand were considered illiterate in dog training. There are also more modern reasons for having your RIGHT hand free of a leash. An older person has a tendency to fall and an empty RIGHT hand would better control the fall. Also, an older person might have a cane. An older person (or younger) might have a concealed carry permit and need a free hand to defend against a robbery (a bigger problem in modern life than years ago).

[toeser]

Originally Posted by DonnaPoulin

I, myself ride a bike. It is only common courtesy when riding on the sidewalks with walkers to let them know when you are coming by yelling out "On your left". Don't just assume people can hear you coming because they don't. I cant believe more accidents don't happen. And then when you ask the riders to say something, they rudely respond back. If you don't want to be bothered with warning people, then ride on the side of the road where you really belong. I wish they had a rule that all bikers are not to be on the sidewalk before 10:00 a.m. When most people are walking their dogs or walking on the sidewalks. We need to all be considerate of one another. We are so lucky in the southern area of the villages to have sidewalks and the paths on the side of the road. There's no reason for us to feel like we are taking our life in our hands when we are walking on the sidewalks. Many people I know have stopped walking for this simple reason. It's wonderful to be able to start your day off without having to worry about getting hurt while you are just trying to get some exercise.

When I bike, I would never meet nor pass anyone on a sidewalk. If I am approaching a pedestrian, I dismount my bike and start walking until clear of them.

There really is only one place I ride on a sidewalk with any regularity and that is the one block from the east side of Sumter Landing to the multi-modal path that runs north along Morse. That's a suicide spot for bikes to be on the road.