Talk of The Villages Florida - Entitled walkers on paths

Talk of The Villages Florida (https://www.talkofthevillages.com/forums/)

- The Villages, Florida, General Discussion (https://www.talkofthevillages.com/forums/villages-florida-general-discussion-73/)

- - Entitled walkers on paths (https://www.talkofthevillages.com/forums/villages-florida-general-discussion-73/entitled-walkers-paths-229174/)

Quote:

Originally Posted by rexxfan (Post 1356743)

These threads where people complain about some aspect of other peoples behavior are pointless. Nothing is going to be solved by your post. Just stop.

Among other reasons, the Forum exists so we can make pointless complaints about other people's behavior. :evil6:
Most of us realize that nothing is going to be solved by posting on this Forum.
It's just a bunch of harmless retirees "letting off steam" about things that bug them that will never change.

:posting:

Quote:

Originally Posted by philvanduyn (Post 1356958)

......People pull out in front of you. They back up without looking. Relax and be kind. If someone is in the path impeding you, slow down, smile and wave to them. One day it will be you "in the wrong".

:thumbup:

Barefoot...............Do you wear shoes on the Paths??

:thumbup:

Quote:

Originally Posted by Barefoot (Post 1357208)

And even sometimes problems are solved on this forum. I point to the person five years ago (long forget who) who told me to think of a roundabout as a four-way intersection of two lanes each. And aha, I got the concept. Thank you, whoever you were. And thanks to the forum.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Here2Stay (Post 1356523)

It comes down to common sense and common human kindness! So many times I see golf golf drivers flying around those curves, that alone tells me common sense NOT being used. So at this stage in our lives, let's just show human kindness and both parties giving a little for the safety of all!:gc:

Common sense ...yes! Hey guys, most of us are retired, no need to rush, no need to point fingers. You have no idea what is going on at that particular moment in the other person, probably countless things. Be safe, expect the other to have momentary lapses and laugh it off unless really dangerous. If so, stop, take a second to speak softly to the other and be willing to listen. Often we learn more by listening. With a smile say - I almost hit you with that bend in the road.
If they retaliate, laugh say hey, I just was concerned and just want to be friendly. You might be meeting your next best friend.

When I encounter a walker I slow down & if possible move over. I always get a pleasant wave from the walker. Just common sense. The walkers have as much right to the paths as do golf carts & bikes. No I myself do not use the MMP's for walking but many do.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

Quote:

Originally Posted by Barefoot (Post 1357208)

I just don't see the point in getting steamed in the first place. There's always going to be someone who doesn't see things your way. You're not going to fix that no matter how hard you try, so getting steamed is just ruining your day and possibly shortening your life on account of the stress you put on yourself. Why bother? Shrug and move on with your day. You'll be happier in the long run.
--
Bob C

Quote:

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.

So what would you have the walkers do? You don't want them on the golf cart paths (on the road) and don't want them on the MMP's. We have very few sidewalks to walk on. It sounds as if you think walkers are secondary citizens with no rights, and should just stay home and watch TV. I don't want to join a gym. I gave up my bicycle because the golf carts almost ran me over several times, and I did not feel safe riding.
I walk alone, on the edge, facing traffic, watching everyone, to be safe. I have had to jump off the edge when a cart was coming right at me, and I almost twisted an ankle.
I don't hear many complaints about bicycles slowing down golf carts on the MMP's. Just yesterday I was behind 2 bicycles while going to golf and I had to creep along behind them. Sure, it is annoying, but they ARE MMP's, meaning we have to SHARE them.

When driving anything, be it golf cart, car, semi truck, horse, bicycle, the safe rule of thumb is to be able to brake to a full stop before you reach as far as you can see. In the fog, that may mean creeping along in a car on the freeway. On mountain roads it may mean slowing for curves. You never know when a boulder, tree limb, disabled vehicle, injured person, or yes, a pedestrian, is just around that blind curve. If your choice is deciding who to hit because you can't break fast enough you are going too fast for the conditions.

Fred,
Many times stepping off the path is a problem as the footing is not secure. Also at least in the southern part of TV, the paths are definitely wide enough for two carts and a walker. I think the problem is often that the golf cart drivers don't have the ability to judge correctly. At any case, courtesy goes both ways. Maybe if carts were going the correct speed they wouldn't have to "slam on the brakes".

Quote:

Originally Posted by charmed59 (Post 1357796)

When driving anything, be it golf cart, car, semi truck, horse, bicycle, the safe rule of thumb is to be able to brake to a full stop before you reach as far as you can see...

Words to live by. :)

So what exactly...

Quote:

Originally Posted by Challenger (Post 1356214)

It is easy to be right (within your rights) and still be horribly injured or dead.

is your point? Your statement applies to life in general...ie: common sense.

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheDude (Post 1357099)

I'll add for some hate.

I was going down a path and a woman parked her bike and was sitting half way in the path. I watched many carts (me also) stop and ask her if she was okay. her friend, a guy with a dog, waved everyone on, she was just sitting and petting the dog. This was on a straightaway where most do go 20MPH.

This entitlement was more rude than anything else. She seemed like she didn't want to 'sit' on the grass so she sat in the road.

Now how can anyone see that right? If I was with my pet, looking down, looking at phone, doing 20mph, whatever I am doing (and I am an amazing driver, I didn't hit her and I did ask if she needed help) on a fast path, and then look up... bam, she gets a cart to the head.

That would be bad.

People, you don't wear armor. Just be safe. Please.

So the real question-----Did you ask her if she wanted to accept her Darwin award then and there, or wait for the annual awards ceremony??????

I see no one has addressed this issue. While I agree the paths are for all villagers, can I please suggest if you are walking at night time PLEASE have some type of reflective clothing on so golf cart drivers see you...hopefully. My husband and I on more than one occassion have met seniors walking at night...after 9:30 with dark clothng on. So please, if you are going to be out walking at night on the paths, WEAR REFLECTIVE CLOTHING.

Quote:

Originally Posted by golfing eagles (Post 1357902)

So the real question-----Did you ask her if she wanted to accept her Darwin award then and there, or wait for the annual awards ceremony??????

Where are your three laughing gifs? That was downright funny.:1rotfl::1rotfl::1rotfl:

They are called multi modal paths for a reason. They are not golf cart paths, or bicycle paths, or walking paths. We have to learn to share. That said, if you are a walker and are going slower than the other people using the path, move over and let the bicycles and/or golf carts go by. That is just common courtesy. Likewise, golf cart drivers need to be courteous too, and be on the lookout for walkers and don't just assume you can do 25 mph and zoom on by everyone like you're the king of the road. Share. In retrospect The Villages should have designed things a little differently, perhaps more sidewalks for walkers. Expecting carts going 25 mph to share with cyclists going 15 mph, and walkers going 3 or 4 mph is a reach. But that's what we have, so make the best of it.