Originally Posted by NYGUY (Post 1356505)

Can someone explain why people walk in the street when a sidewalk is available?

Originally Posted by kcrazorbackfan (Post 1356616)

If you ever figure that one out, let us all know.

Originally Posted by RickeyD (Post 1356618)

Asphalt easier on the joints than concrete ?

Originally Posted by Dr Winston O Boogie jr (Post 1356264)

That may be true, but in my humble opinion, you're taking your life in your hands if you're walking on those paths.

You have elderly people driving 600-800 pound vehicles at 20-25 mph on the paths. Some of them are driving golf carts because their driver's licenses have been taken away. I know of some that are legally blind and can't drive a car so they drive a golf cart.

Many of the paths are barely wide enough for two carts to pass side by side. Om many areas there are blind corners and walkers are not seen until it's very late. And then as the OP has pointed out if it comes down to crashing head first into another golf cart or taking out a pedestrian, what would your choice be. Also many walkers (not all) have this sort of arrogance about how they have as much right as a golf cart so they stand on the path in defiance of the carts. Again, it may be true, they do have the same rights and if it makes the feel better, "I Was Right" can always be written on their tombstone.

I think that The Villages is also at fault and could possibly be liable for someone getting severely injured on one of these paths. They should call them golf cart paths and ban walking on them or at least state that walkers and runners do so at their own risk.

Calling them multi modal paths encourages people to walk and run on them and endangers the lives and safety of the general public.

Originally Posted by TheDude (Post 1356158)

I have no problem with bikes and walkers on the paths (I was going to call them golf car paths but I can be fair).

My problem is this...

There are some turns and hidden areas that a walker may come up on a golf cart. I really do not notice this with bikes.

What gets me is instead of moving out of the way in tight situations, that they stand their ground and wave the cart away from them (and maybe into another cart).

Its like a Jedi mind trick.

Now the problem...

Walkers are not protected and they have to take their safety seriously. If it was me, and it was crashing into a walker or crossing into traffic and hitting multiple people, well, I am sorry.

Moral of the story is: Do not trust the skills of the driver. If you are a walker, protect yourself FIRST. Yell all you want but don't get hit by a cart. Their insurance may take a hit, but you will also take a hit and could be injured really badly. It isn't worth it.

Okay, I am done. Don't hate too much, I see to draw hate for some reason. Maybe its my views. Be gentle.

Originally Posted by Fred R (Post 1356215)

There have been lots of times when I am riding in my cart on an MMP and encounter a walker, they won't even consider stepping off the path, especially if 2 carts are passing each other. I've had to slam on the brakes because of their selfish behavior. There is no substitute for courtesy.

Originally Posted by rubicon (Post 1356663)

I have read the 34 previous posts and everything that has been said has been repeated several times over on these pages.

And each time I have mentioned that the cause of all this commotion is that The Villages error was in creating MMP's in the first place.

It does not take much forethought to recognize the danger being created by placing carts, bikes, pedestrian, etc on the same paths.

So the obvious outcome has been cited on the previous comments on 34 posts.

The motor vehicle laws establish attempt to balance the law for the protection of us all by creating certain rights and responsibilities. the problem of course is the human experience.

Recognizing this I travel with my eyes wide open. When I see pedestrians on either side of the path I slow because I do not want to startle them and I am aware that there are a majority of golf cart drivers that do not understand that the rules of the road require them to stop if an obstruction (people , parked car) is in their path. they simply attempt to veer around pedestrians to the middle of the path. Knowing this I slow or stop.

and I have written on these pages in the past that some walkers dress as if they are commandos

What I have learned is that the MMP were not well thought out and so my responsibility is to be well... very alert and careful of others.

Personal Best Regards:

Originally Posted by Fred R (Post 1356215)

There have been lots of times when I am riding in my cart on an MMP and encounter a walker, they won't even consider stepping off the path, especially if 2 carts are passing each other. I've had to slam on the brakes because of their selfish behavior. There is no substitute for courtesy.

Originally Posted by dietpepsi (Post 1356791)

you so correct about courtesy! why should a walker have to go to the grass for the lack of courtesy of the cart drivers! just slow down and realize u are not the king of the road!...

Originally Posted by OhioBuckeye (Post 1356721)

You're right, walkers beware! On Tue. Jan. 24th I was walking past Bradenton Rec. center & when I started to cross drive that leads into the Rec. center I was about half way across the drive & I notice a car turning into the parking lot out the corner of my eye. Some elderly lady turned in & when I look up just as the car was about 5 or 6 ft. from me I noticed she wasn't even looking straight ahead, she was gawking at the building or was concentrating on a parking place. Seriously I had to jump backward & her car ran over the tips of my shoes & this lady never batted an eye that I was even there. Well I didn't get PO'd about it because nobody (I didn't) get hurt, but now when I think about it I should of hit the top of her car when she was so close. This lady was so old that I thought, NO if I started srceaming at her she might of had a heart attack. So like THE DUDE says, beware of on coming cars at all times. Even I should of been watching for cars coming in from behind me, in that case I would of gotten hit. BE CAREFUL WALKERS!