Talk of The Villages Florida

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-   The Villages, Florida, General Discussion (https://www.talkofthevillages.com/forums/villages-florida-general-discussion-73/)
-   -   Bikes on the walking trail ? (https://www.talkofthevillages.com/forums/villages-florida-general-discussion-73/bikes-walking-trail-342028/)

PurePeach 06-15-2023 09:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tophcfa (Post 2226114)
They are not walking trails, they are called pathways and are shared by both walkers (who can bring along their leashed dog) and bikes. Proper etiquette is for walkers to walk single file on the left side of the trail so they can see oncoming bike traffic and for bikers to stay on the right and ride single file. Walkers with dogs need to keep them on a short, non-flexible leash, so they can not wander in front of a bike. If everyone followed proper etiquette, and did not think the pathway was dedicated solely to them, there shouldn’t be any issues.

Did you mean a retractable leash that allows extension? I’ve never seen a non-flexible leash - that would mean walking the dog at the end of a “stick”! :loco:

cjrjck 06-15-2023 09:44 AM

I think technically that if it is a bike and walking path only you are supposed to walk on the right side. At least that is what a number of bike related web sites state. On an MMP that has golf cart traffic, you would walk on the left. Personally, around TV, you never know what might be coming down the path so I would walk on the left. I've seen maintenance and contractor trucks using many MMPs and pathways.

justjim 06-15-2023 10:42 AM

There seems to be a lot of confusion as to which side of the path/trail to walk on or bike on. Solution: seems simple enough- signs to regulate the confusion.

TerryCamlin 06-15-2023 11:16 AM

You must be south of 44 because you folks simply do not understand if you walk against traffic you will always see what is coming at you. Many times I say on your left and the walker has ear buds on and does not hear me anyway. In my neighborhood anyway yes North of 44 all walkers go against traffic. It is not that hard to do and all of your problems will be gone. Maybe tell your neighbors too. Us bikers are not going away. It is not just a walking trail so get over that right away. I mentioned this to the people at Ezell about maybe putting up signs asking walkers to walk on the opposite side but like the rest of the recommendations I have made for the safety of our community it falls on deaf ears. Good luck.

OrangeBlossomBaby 06-15-2023 11:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rolson08 (Post 2226626)
I can't believe we even have to have this conversation. I have ridden a bicycle on paths all over the United States and it is a common practice to advise others, (walkers, joggers, even other bicyclists) of the intent to pass, by whatever means necessary. Many trails actually have notices posted to make your presence known when passing. To avoid someone stepping into your path, announce your presence early enough to make sure a collision can be avoided. The ones that get me are those wearing ear buds that wouldn't hear a freight train approaching!

When I was a kid, we were all taught to use our bell if we had one, NOT a horn if we had one (because that can be too startling, which is dangerous), and call out "on your left!" if we didn't have a bell.

The horn was in case there was actual danger (not just a "heads up), or a car in front of us stopped at the light, the light turned green, and they were just sitting there not trying to go.

toeser 06-15-2023 11:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Goldengirl22 (Post 2226098)
Hi there, I am all about sharing the walking trails. But I was seriously startled this morning while walking my dog when a bike came up behind me. He blew past me, very close to me, and I couldn't help but think, what if I had moved over just a little bit, I would have walked right into his path, and we both would have been hurt.

Would it not be a good idea for a person coming up behind a walker to ring their bell? And if they don't have one on their bike, get one?

Just curious if other walkers have had this experience.

This bike rider was a jerk and gives all of us a bad name. Based upon my experience, the worst ones seem to be those who ride road bikes wearing all of their bicycle gear. They seem to have some kind of entitlement thing going on. Of course, I don't mean all of them.

OrangeBlossomBaby 06-15-2023 11:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TerryCamlin (Post 2226715)
You must be south of 44 because you folks simply do not understand if you walk against traffic you will always see what is coming at you. Many times I say on your left and the walker has ear buds on and does not hear me anyway. In my neighborhood anyway yes North of 44 all walkers go against traffic. It is not that hard to do and all of your problems will be gone. Maybe tell your neighbors too. Us bikers are not going away. It is not just a walking trail so get over that right away. I mentioned this to the people at Ezell about maybe putting up signs asking walkers to walk on the opposite side but like the rest of the recommendations I have made for the safety of our community it falls on deaf ears. Good luck.

They are referring to walking trails, where there is NO vehicular traffic at all. No golf carts, no cars. On walking trails, pedestrians -are- the traffic. You can't walk against yourself. The pedestrian has the right of way, and bikes need to take extra caution when passing them.

If everyone did what they were supposed to do, there'd be no problem. On a walking trail, everyone is on the right. There is no "against traffic." Bike riders call out or use a bell to alert pedestrians that they're about to pass, and dog-walkers keep their dog properly heeled on a short leash.

Laker14 06-15-2023 11:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OrangeBlossomBaby (Post 2226614)
So the rules won't apply to you, if you decide that the rules are stupid. Be sure to let the ambulance driver and police know this, next time you're involved in an accident where you did something that was against a rule that you thought was stupid.

and you be sure, after you've been creamed from behind by a bike or e-bike you neither heard, nor saw, to let the paramedics know you were obeying the rules. That will make your broken bones heal much faster.

Normal 06-15-2023 11:29 AM

Rules
 
In our community rules seem to mean nothing. Just ask the golf cart riders in automobile traffic circles.

jimkerr 06-15-2023 11:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Goldengirl22 (Post 2226098)
Hi there, I am all about sharing the walking trails. But I was seriously startled this morning while walking my dog when a bike came up behind me. He blew past me, very close to me, and I couldn't help but think, what if I had moved over just a little bit, I would have walked right into his path, and we both would have been hurt.

Would it not be a good idea for a person coming up behind a walker to ring their bell? And if they don't have one on their bike, get one?

Just curious if other walkers have had this experience.

You were walking the wrong way then. You are supposed to walk against traffic so you would have seen him coming.

Laker14 06-15-2023 11:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Normal (Post 2226725)
In our community rules seem to mean nothing. Just ask the golf cart riders in automobile traffic circles.

Do you see that often? I saw it once. I don't think it was a case of ignoring rules as much as being somewhat confused.

as far as the rule about walking with bike and e-bike traffic, I have never heard a good reason for doing that, as opposed to facing the traffic as one would in a street or MMP.

Other than "it's a rule"...I value my health more than I value the blue ribbons they give out to people who never break rules because they believe rules are sacred.

Normal 06-15-2023 11:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Laker14 (Post 2226737)
Do you see that often? I saw it once. I don't think it was a case of ignoring rules as much as being somewhat confused.

as far as the rule about walking with bike and e-bike traffic, I have never heard a good reason for doing that, as opposed to facing the traffic as one would in a street or MMP.

Other than "it's a rule"...I value my health more than I value the blue ribbons they give out to people who never break rules because they believe rules are sacred.

Three times this spring. The one most memorable was a cart traveling opposite of traffic flow next to the Mallory gate.

roob1 06-15-2023 11:54 AM

Regardless of the side you walk on, you will not see traffic approaching from behind.

Quote:

Originally Posted by TerryCamlin (Post 2226715)
You must be south of 44 because you folks simply do not understand if you walk against traffic you will always see what is coming at you. Many times I say on your left and the walker has ear buds on and does not hear me anyway. In my neighborhood anyway yes North of 44 all walkers go against traffic. It is not that hard to do and all of your problems will be gone. Maybe tell your neighbors too. Us bikers are not going away. It is not just a walking trail so get over that right away. I mentioned this to the people at Ezell about maybe putting up signs asking walkers to walk on the opposite side but like the rest of the recommendations I have made for the safety of our community it falls on deaf ears. Good luck.


roob1 06-15-2023 11:57 AM

The biker came from behind...did you not read that?


Quote:

Originally Posted by jimkerr (Post 2226736)
You were walking the wrong way then. You are supposed to walk against traffic so you would have seen him coming.


ohioshooter 06-15-2023 12:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by roob1 (Post 2226740)
The biker came from behind...did you not read that?

I guess you are supposed to have eyes in the back of your head. No matter what side of the path you walk on there will be traffic coming from behind. My opinion, and I won’t change my mind, walk on the right like you are supposed to.


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