[Number 10 GI]

I think this article pretty much gives intelligent, informed, common sense information of what side of the road to walk on. Plus I've been told over the years and at an early age that you walk facing the traffic. Problem is common sense is not very common anymore.

Which Side of the Road You Should Walk On | The Healthy

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

Originally Posted by Number 10 GI

I think this article pretty much gives intelligent, informed, common sense information of what side of the road to walk on. Plus I've been told over the years and at an early age that you walk facing the traffic. Problem is common sense is not very common anymore.

Which Side of the Road You Should Walk On | The Healthy

That article has nothing to do with this topic. Of course you should walk against traffic on a ROAD. The Villages has roads, and MMPs, and sidewalks, and walking trails, and paths that allow pedestrians and bicycles, but not golf carts.

You don't walk on the left side of a sidewalk. You walk on the right side of it. Or you walk in the middle, until someone comes toward you, and then you move to your right. This topic is about pedestrian paths, not motor vehicle roads or MMPs.

[MX rider]

Originally Posted by OrangeBlossomBaby

That article has nothing to do with this topic. Of course you should walk against traffic on a ROAD. The Villages has roads, and MMPs, and sidewalks, and walking trails, and paths that allow pedestrians and bicycles, but not golf carts.

You don't walk on the left side of a sidewalk. You walk on the right side of it. Or you walk in the middle, until someone comes toward you, and then you move to your right. This topic is about pedestrian paths, not motor vehicle roads or MMPs.

I've been running for 43 years. Other than a sidewalk, I always run against traffic. Why the hell wouldn't you? This includes the MM paths.

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

Originally Posted by MX rider

I've been running for 43 years. Other than a sidewalk, I always run against traffic. Why the hell wouldn't you? This includes the MM paths.

I don't run at all, that's why the hell I wouldn't run against traffic. However - I do walk against traffic on the MMPs, because golf carts can drive on the MMPs. On paths where motor vehicles are not permitted, I walk on the right side of the road, because paths where motor vehicles are not permitted, are pedestrian paths. We ARE the traffic, we don't have to walk against it.

[Laker14]

Originally Posted by Goldengirl22

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.

Originally Posted by OrangeBlossomBaby

That article has nothing to do with this topic. Of course you should walk against traffic on a ROAD. The Villages has roads, and MMPs, and sidewalks, and walking trails, and paths that allow pedestrians and bicycles, but not golf carts.

You don't walk on the left side of a sidewalk. You walk on the right side of it. Or you walk in the middle, until someone comes toward you, and then you move to your right. This topic is about pedestrian paths, not motor vehicle roads or MMPs.

actually, the title of the post refers to "walking trails", but in fact , the original post describes a path open to walkers and bicycles and e-bikes. I don't know what Hogeye Trail is officially referred to, but it allows all three of those entities.
Therefore, no matter what it is called officially, as far as I am concerned, for my personal safety, since there may be vehicles travelling in excess of walking speed, I will walk on the left side, so I can see these vehicles as they approach, and take appropriate evasive action.

[Number 10 GI]

Originally Posted by OrangeBlossomBaby

That article has nothing to do with this topic. Of course you should walk against traffic on a ROAD. The Villages has roads, and MMPs, and sidewalks, and walking trails, and paths that allow pedestrians and bicycles, but not golf carts.

You don't walk on the left side of a sidewalk. You walk on the right side of it. Or you walk in the middle, until someone comes toward you, and then you move to your right. This topic is about pedestrian paths, not motor vehicle roads or MMPs.

I was responding to the posts by others telling us we should walk on the right side of the ROAD.
Has it been established with all certainty that the "walking path" where this incident occurred is actually a walking path? Has anyone cited an actual official policy that prohibits bicycles on these "walking paths"?

[ohioshooter]

Originally Posted by Laker14

actually, the title of the post refers to "walking trails", but in fact , the original post describes a path open to walkers and bicycles and e-bikes. I don't know what Hogeye Trail is officially referred to, but it allows all three of those entities.
Therefore, no matter what it is called officially, as far as I am concerned, for my personal safety, since there may be vehicles travelling in excess of walking speed, I will walk on the left side, so I can see these vehicles as they approach, and take appropriate evasive action.

Every time I read one these ‘walk on the left so I can see these vehicles as they approach’ I have to laugh. Aren’t these trails two way? What about the traffic coming from behind. Do whatever makes you feel better.

[JMintzer]

Originally Posted by OrangeBlossomBaby

That article has nothing to do with this topic. Of course you should walk against traffic on a ROAD. The Villages has roads, and MMPs, and sidewalks, and walking trails, and paths that allow pedestrians and bicycles, but not golf carts.

You don't walk on the left side of a sidewalk. You walk on the right side of it. Or you walk in the middle, until someone comes toward you, and then you move to your right. This topic is about pedestrian paths, not motor vehicle roads or MMPs.

If it was about "pedestrian paths", there wouldn't be any bicycle traffic...

[JMintzer]

Originally Posted by OrangeBlossomBaby

I don't run at all, that's why the hell I wouldn't run against traffic. However - I do walk against traffic on the MMPs, because golf carts can drive on the MMPs. On paths where motor vehicles are not permitted, I walk on the right side of the road, because paths where motor vehicles are not permitted, are pedestrian paths. We ARE the traffic, we don't have to walk against it.

So bikes aren't traffic? Ummm, Okay...

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

Originally Posted by ohioshooter

Every time I read one these ‘walk on the left so I can see these vehicles as they approach’ I have to laugh. Aren’t these trails two way? What about the traffic coming from behind. Do whatever makes you feel better.

Yup. If you have all the people on foot on the left - that means you'll have joggers and runners coming up from behind you, trying to pass you on the -right- (since you're already on the left), while bicycle riders are on the right - and then - a bicycle rider comes up toward you on THEIR right - heading in the direction you just came from, and- hm. Gee. Head-on collision anyone?

[JMintzer]

Originally Posted by Laker14

actually, the title of the post refers to "walking trails", but in fact , the original post describes a path open to walkers and bicycles and e-bikes. I don't know what Hogeye Trail is officially referred to, but it allows all three of those entities.
Therefore, no matter what it is called officially, as far as I am concerned, for my personal safety, since there may be vehicles travelling in excess of walking speed, I will walk on the left side, so I can see these vehicles as they approach, and take appropriate evasive action.

[JMintzer]

Originally Posted by ohioshooter

Every time I read one these ‘walk on the left so I can see these vehicles as they approach’ I have to laugh. Aren’t these trails two way? What about the traffic coming from behind. Do whatever makes you feel better.

The traffic coming from behind is now on the other side of the MMP/Path. Thus, it is now farther away from you...

If you can't see that that is safer, walk wherever you want... You do have that choice...

[JMintzer]

Originally Posted by OrangeBlossomBaby

Yup. If you have all the people on foot on the left - that means you'll have joggers and runners coming up from behind you, trying to pass you on the -right- (since you're already on the left), while bicycle riders are on the right - and then - a bicycle rider comes up toward you on THEIR right - heading in the direction you just came from, and- hm. Gee. Head-on collision anyone?

Yes, there is always sooo much congestion of a walker, a jogger, and a bike rider converging at the exact same time...

I'm sure it happens all the time... [insert facepalm here]

Oh, and since you can now SEE THE APPROACHING TRAFFIC, that "head on collision" can be avoided...

[margaretmattson]

Originally Posted by justjim

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.

With many, many, responses stating the exact opposite of what others believe to be true, I took the time to read the Florida statutes regarding a pedestrian so that I could remain safe. Looked hard and kept finding only two.

First statute: When no sidewalk or designated lined path is available, a pedestrian must walk on the road facing traffic keeping away from the moving cars as far as possible.

Second statute: A pedestrian must follow all traffic rules applied to motor vehicles. Stopping at traffic lights and only crossing intersections at posted crosswalks. No jay walking.

There are no written statutes for a pedestrian on a sidewalk or designated lined path that I could find. Perhaps, this is why everyone has different opinions.

From this I learned, be safe out there! Keep your eyes and ears open. In my opinion, most people are likely to use the paths and sidewalks to get to their destination in the shortest possible route. Some much more aggressively than others. No one is breaking any rules by doing this. With no written statutes, people will do what they want .

[margaretmattson]

Originally Posted by JMintzer

Yes, there is always sooo much congestion of a walker, a jogger, and a bike rider converging at the exact same time...

I'm sure it happens all the time... [insert facepalm here]

Oh, and since you can now SEE THE APPROACHING TRAFFIC, that "head on collision" can be avoided...

You will be surprised! I have witnessed more instances of near collisions than I have ever seen in any other community. Many, many, many in the town squares, alone. I have also read about many traffic fatalities not including cars.

This is the reason I have heightened concern. Apparently, everyone does as they wish is all that I have learned.