Originally Posted by dhdallas (Post 2078233)

In the past couple of days I have ridden my bicycle over 70 miles on the multi-modal trails. Only one cart driver had the common courtesy to beep their horn so I would know to keep right and let them pass. All the others (and I mean at least 100 carts or more) just whizzed by without a sound. With a helmet on and the wind noise I cannot hear even a gas cart until it is almost on top of me. I always ring my bike bell when approaching walkers or slower bikes & beep my horn if in my cart. Many golfers seem to think the multi-modal paths were built just for them...wrong. Let's share the road and be courteous & safe - use your horn before passing.

As an aside, I watched a cart almost roll over today on the path between Bradford & Chitty Chatty. The male driver took a curve too fast & I watched as his right rear wheel lifted several inches off the path. I cannot believe the speeds at which cart drivers take curves. In particular, the aluminum chassis electric carts running lithium ion batteries (like mine) are extremely lightweight compared to their gas counterparts and much easier to roll. Use a little common sense and live to a ripe old age!

Originally Posted by dhdallas (Post 2078469)

I will attempt to rebut some of the dubious replies.

Horns startle cyclists: yes they do, if you wait until you are right behind them and then lay on a long blast. I am talking about a quick beep when you are 100' or so behind.

The Villages will sound like the taxi horn bedlam of NYC: C'mon really? If there was bumper to bumper carts and bikes, then yes it would.

Cyclists don't like car horns: Correct! We do not need to have cars beeping at us because we are on a highway and expect cars to be roaring by as we hug the berm.

Cyclists need to stay to the right and not hog the middle of the path: I do not ride in the middle but always stay in the right lane however, I am not going to hug the edge. It is a MULTI-MODAL path and cyclists, runners, and walkers have every right to use all of their lane just as the carts do (BUT to move over to let faster carts, bikes, runners, etc. to pass).


Cyclists giving you the finger: There are rude cyclists just as there are rude individuals everywhere. At the risk of receiving hate mail I will bet that every cyclist that flipped you off was riding a road bike as in a bicycle with drop bars and was wearing Lycra shorts and a garish looking cycling jersey plastered with logos. The rest of us older non-competitive recreational POLITE cyclists appreciate a simple beep from a reasonable distance and don't wave our middle fingers about.

Cyclists should have mirrors: Should walkers have mirrors? Joggers? I do have a mirror but as fast as these cart drivers come up on you, its easy to miss seeing them until the last second. I am sure anyone driving a car has had a car suddenly appear on their tail seemingly out of nowhere.

Cyclists should be able to hear even with wind noise: Have you ever ridden a bike, especially on a windy day? You can only hear if you turn your head sideways. Add to that we are not youngsters anymore and many of us have mild hearing issues. Plus electric carts are silent.

The Villages is supposed to be Florida's Friendliest Hometown. Judging from some of the intolerant and thoughtless replies, I am not so sure!

I once saw a bumper sticker that stated a good philosophy to live by. It read: Life is short. Don't be a dick!

Originally Posted by Mrprez (Post 2078415)

Not everyone driving a golf cart is a golfer.

Originally Posted by OhioBuckeye (Post 2078481)

I totally agree with you. Besides I didn’t know a cart was suppose to honk when passing as being polite or it was the law. The biker should have a mirror on his bike if he can’t hear, that’s not safe not to hear who’s coming up behind you! Besides I thought bikers had to yield for auto’s & cart, not the other way around!

Originally Posted by Laker14 (Post 2078250)

if every cart passing every bike tooted its horn, the noise would be constant, and irritating. What you need to do is buy, then use, a sideview mirror. I don't ride anymore, but I once did, and I interpreted car horns not as a polite "here I am, don't let me startle you" but rather as a "MOVE OVER!!! GET OUT OF MY WAY!!!"... so, no, I'm not beeping for you. I'll give you your space and pass when it's safe, but it's up to you to know who is behind you.

Originally Posted by dhdallas (Post 2078233)

In the past couple of days I have ridden my bicycle over 70 miles on the multi-modal trails. Only one cart driver had the common courtesy to beep their horn so I would know to keep right and let them pass. All the others (and I mean at least 100 carts or more) just whizzed by without a sound. With a helmet on and the wind noise I cannot hear even a gas cart until it is almost on top of me. I always ring my bike bell when approaching walkers or slower bikes & beep my horn if in my cart. Many golfers seem to think the multi-modal paths were built just for them...wrong. Let's share the road and be courteous & safe - use your horn before passing.

As an aside, I watched a cart almost roll over today on the path between Bradford & Chitty Chatty. The male driver took a curve too fast & I watched as his right rear wheel lifted several inches off the path. I cannot believe the speeds at which cart drivers take curves. In particular, the aluminum chassis electric carts running lithium ion batteries (like mine) are extremely lightweight compared to their gas counterparts and much easier to roll. Use a little common sense and live to a ripe old age!

Originally Posted by Sportsguy1 (Post 2078515)

So which is it…..honk your horn when on MM path when approaching a bicyclist…or do NOT honk your horn? 🤷*♂️

Originally Posted by Sportsguy1 (Post 2078515)

So which is it…..honk your horn when on MM path when approaching a bicyclist…or do NOT honk your horn? 🤷*♂️

Originally Posted by Laker14 (Post 2078559)

Don't honk. Hang back a respectful distance until you can see well ahead of the bike in the oncoming lane. When you have plenty of room ahead, so you can give the bike plenty of room, then pass.
Do not try to squeeze past the bike in a tight space.

Originally Posted by dewilson58 (Post 2078494)

And not every golfer is a golfer.

Originally Posted by dhdallas (Post 2078233)

In the past couple of days I have ridden my bicycle over 70 miles on the multi-modal trails. Only one cart driver had the common courtesy to beep their horn so I would know to keep right and let them pass. All the others (and I mean at least 100 carts or more) just whizzed by without a sound. With a helmet on and the wind noise I cannot hear even a gas cart until it is almost on top of me. I always ring my bike bell when approaching walkers or slower bikes & beep my horn if in my cart. Many golfers seem to think the multi-modal paths were built just for them...wrong. Let's share the road and be courteous & safe - use your horn before passing.

As an aside, I watched a cart almost roll over today on the path between Bradford & Chitty Chatty. The male driver took a curve too fast & I watched as his right rear wheel lifted several inches off the path. I cannot believe the speeds at which cart drivers take curves. In particular, the aluminum chassis electric carts running lithium ion batteries (like mine) are extremely lightweight compared to their gas counterparts and much easier to roll. Use a little common sense and live to a ripe old age!

Originally Posted by dhdallas (Post 2078233)

In the past couple of days I have ridden my bicycle over 70 miles on the multi-modal trails. Only one cart driver had the common courtesy to beep their horn so I would know to keep right and let them pass. All the others (and I mean at least 100 carts or more) just whizzed by without a sound. With a helmet on and the wind noise I cannot hear even a gas cart until it is almost on top of me. I always ring my bike bell when approaching walkers or slower bikes & beep my horn if in my cart. Many golfers seem to think the multi-modal paths were built just for them...wrong. Let's share the road and be courteous & safe - use your horn before passing.

As an aside, I watched a cart almost roll over today on the path between Bradford & Chitty Chatty. The male driver took a curve too fast & I watched as his right rear wheel lifted several inches off the path. I cannot believe the speeds at which cart drivers take curves. In particular, the aluminum chassis electric carts running lithium ion batteries (like mine) are extremely lightweight compared to their gas counterparts and much easier to roll. Use a little common sense and live to a ripe old age!

Originally Posted by charlieo1126@gmail.com (Post 2078652)

I don’t need and don’t want somebody honking there horn behind me while riding , I have a rear view mirror to watch for cars or carts to alert me, I can only imagine how much noise that would generate, as I rode. on my no earphones quiet ride and if you can’t ride and check the mirror , well I’m 83 I can still do both

Originally Posted by charlieo1126@gmail.com (Post 2078652)

I don’t need and don’t want somebody honking there horn behind me while riding , I have a rear view mirror to watch for cars or carts to alert me, I can only imagine how much noise that would generate, as I rode. on my no earphones quiet ride and if you can’t ride and check the mirror , well I’m 83 I can still do both

Originally Posted by dhdallas (Post 2078233)

In the past couple of days I have ridden my bicycle over 70 miles on the multi-modal trails. Only one cart driver had the common courtesy to beep their horn so I would know to keep right and let them pass. All the others (and I mean at least 100 carts or more) just whizzed by without a sound. With a helmet on and the wind noise I cannot hear even a gas cart until it is almost on top of me. I always ring my bike bell when approaching walkers or slower bikes & beep my horn if in my cart. Many golfers seem to think the multi-modal paths were built just for them...wrong. Let's share the road and be courteous & safe - use your horn before passing.

As an aside, I watched a cart almost roll over today on the path between Bradford & Chitty Chatty. The male driver took a curve too fast & I watched as his right rear wheel lifted several inches off the path. I cannot believe the speeds at which cart drivers take curves. In particular, the aluminum chassis electric carts running lithium ion batteries (like mine) are extremely lightweight compared to their gas counterparts and much easier to roll. Use a little common sense and live to a ripe old age!

Originally Posted by Dennys37Packard (Post 2078614)

I seriously never thought to shortly beep my horn.... I will from now on. I just assumed bikers saw me in their mirrors. Thank you for your post.

Originally Posted by dhdallas (Post 2078233)

In the past couple of days I have ridden my bicycle over 70 miles on the multi-modal trails. Only one cart driver had the common courtesy to beep their horn so I would know to keep right and let them pass. All the others (and I mean at least 100 carts or more) just whizzed by without a sound. With a helmet on and the wind noise I cannot hear even a gas cart until it is almost on top of me. I always ring my bike bell when approaching walkers or slower bikes & beep my horn if in my cart. Many golfers seem to think the multi-modal paths were built just for them...wrong. Let's share the road and be courteous & safe - use your horn before passing.

As an aside, I watched a cart almost roll over today on the path between Bradford & Chitty Chatty. The male driver took a curve too fast & I watched as his right rear wheel lifted several inches off the path. I cannot believe the speeds at which cart drivers take curves. In particular, the aluminum chassis electric carts running lithium ion batteries (like mine) are extremely lightweight compared to their gas counterparts and much easier to roll. Use a little common sense and live to a ripe old age!

Originally Posted by dhdallas (Post 2078233)

In the past couple of days I have ridden my bicycle over 70 miles on the multi-modal trails. Only one cart driver had the common courtesy to beep their horn so I would know to keep right and let them pass. All the others (and I mean at least 100 carts or more) just whizzed by without a sound. With a helmet on and the wind noise I cannot hear even a gas cart until it is almost on top of me. I always ring my bike bell when approaching walkers or slower bikes & beep my horn if in my cart. Many golfers seem to think the multi-modal paths were built just for them...wrong. Let's share the road and be courteous & safe - use your horn before passing.

As an aside, I watched a cart almost roll over today on the path between Bradford & Chitty Chatty. The male driver took a curve too fast & I watched as his right rear wheel lifted several inches off the path. I cannot believe the speeds at which cart drivers take curves. In particular, the aluminum chassis electric carts running lithium ion batteries (like mine) are extremely lightweight compared to their gas counterparts and much easier to roll. Use a little common sense and live to a ripe old age!

Originally Posted by fcgiii (Post 2078779)

Of course all bicyclists warn pedestrians they are coming by ringing their bell. My wife got hit by a cyclist who smacked right into her without warning when she moved unknowingly into his path, knocking them both flat. He scrambled up and zipped away. Courtesy goes both ways.

Originally Posted by thevillages2013 (Post 2078685)

He’s back!

Originally Posted by Laker14 (Post 2078498)

Bikers are not required by law to yield to carts and autos. They are entitled to their space on the road, equally to cars and carts.
It is also not mandatory that a bike pull off onto the shoulder where all the broken glass and muffler pieces are laying, in order to make it easier for cars to pass.

Cars should not attempt to pass a bicyclist by squeezing between the bike and the center line. They should wait until they have clear vision and can ascertain they have sufficient room ahead in the oncoming lane to use it to pass and give the bike plenty of room when they pass.

Originally Posted by dhdallas (Post 2078233)

In the past couple of days I have ridden my bicycle over 70 miles on the multi-modal trails. Only one cart driver had the common courtesy to beep their horn so I would know to keep right and let them pass. All the others (and I mean at least 100 carts or more) just whizzed by without a sound. With a helmet on and the wind noise I cannot hear even a gas cart until it is almost on top of me. I always ring my bike bell when approaching walkers or slower bikes & beep my horn if in my cart. Many golfers seem to think the multi-modal paths were built just for them...wrong. Let's share the road and be courteous & safe - use your horn before passing.

As an aside, I watched a cart almost roll over today on the path between Bradford & Chitty Chatty. The male driver took a curve too fast & I watched as his right rear wheel lifted several inches off the path. I cannot believe the speeds at which cart drivers take curves. In particular, the aluminum chassis electric carts running lithium ion batteries (like mine) are extremely lightweight compared to their gas counterparts and much easier to roll. Use a little common sense and live to a ripe old age!

Originally Posted by thevillages2013 (Post 2078602)

The better golfers don’t ride in a cart at all they WALK and someone carries their clubs for them!:coolsmiley:

Originally Posted by tophcfa (Post 2078846)

They also are young, play competitively, and don’t have arthritis, knee, and hip replacements. And before and after their rounds, the get treatment from their personal trainers. We are talking about the Villages, not the PGA Tour.

Originally Posted by Jpetraus (Post 2078905)

Definitely don’t honk! May scare the biker and make them think you are about to run into them!! Also the constant din of horns will disturb the peace.

Originally Posted by fcgiii (Post 2078779)

Of course all bicyclists warn pedestrians they are coming by ringing their bell. My wife got hit by a cyclist who smacked right into her without warning when she moved unknowingly into his path, knocking them both flat. He scrambled up and zipped away. Courtesy goes both ways.

Originally Posted by OhioBuckeye (Post 2078481)

I totally agree with you. Besides I didn’t know a cart was suppose to honk when passing as being polite or it was the law. The biker should have a mirror on his bike if he can’t hear, that’s not safe not to hear who’s coming up behind you! Besides I thought bikers had to yield for auto’s & cart, not the other way around!

Originally Posted by Laker14 (Post 2078498)

Bikers are not required by law to yield to carts and autos. They are entitled to their space on the road, equally to cars and carts.
It is also not mandatory that a bike pull off onto the shoulder where all the broken glass and muffler pieces are laying, in order to make it easier for cars to pass.

Cars should not attempt to pass a bicyclist by squeezing between the bike and the center line. They should wait until they have clear vision and can ascertain they have sufficient room ahead in the oncoming lane to use it to pass and give the bike plenty of room when they pass.

Originally Posted by OhioBuckeye (Post 2078831)

We’ll bikers had better start yielding because a car & a golf cart can do a lot more damage to the biker than a bike can to them. I’m a biker too & I have 2 mirrors on my bike & 1 on my helmet. Don’t come here & try to start an argument, I’m just saying when you’re on a cart/bike path. Golf carts run faster than a biker, so I’m just saying stay close to the side of the path then the carts can have plenty of room to pass without having to honk at every bike they pass. Not hear to argue just saying cars & carts are bigger so use your mirrors & avoid an unnecessary collision!

Originally Posted by JMintzer (Post 2078924)

A quick "beep" of a horn is a "constant din?

Originally Posted by Laker14 (Post 2078970)

if every cart passing every biker used a quick beep of the horn, it would get pretty noisy pretty fast.

Originally Posted by JMintzer (Post 2079059)

:1rotfl::1rotfl::1rotfl:

In my travels, If I pass 3 cyclists in a day, it's a busy day...

Originally Posted by charlieo1126@gmail.com (Post 2078815)

when I’m not here , I’m not here lol

Originally Posted by tophcfa (Post 2078846)

They also are young, play competitively, and don’t have arthritis, knee, and hip replacements. And before and after their rounds, the get treatment from their personal trainers. We are talking about the Villages, not the PGA Tour.

Originally Posted by philnpat (Post 2078309)

I used to give a couple of quick beeps when I was coming up on a bicyclist. Received many middle fingers and few waves. No more!