[ltcdfancher]

I’m a casual bicyclist living in Well Point. The route that I pedal follows the MMP nearly exclusively. On several occasions, I have come up behind someone walking along the right-side of the path. I ring my bell several times to alert them of my approach. I give them a wide berth, of course, and note that they are wearing earbuds. Did they even hear my bell, my approach, or my “good morning” greeting?

Wasn’t it common practice to walk facing oncoming traffic? The cyclist (or golf car driver) and the pedestrian can each see the other’s approach. The pedestrian can be sure that the approaching ‘vehicle’ is giving them ample clearance.

I think that MMPs have room for everyone that chooses to use them.

[Kelevision]

Originally Posted by ltcdfancher

I’m a casual bicyclist living in Well Point. The route that I pedal follows the MMP nearly exclusively. On several occasions, I have come up behind someone walking along the right-side of the path. I ring my bell several times to alert them of my approach. I give them a wide berth, of course, and note that they are wearing earbuds. Did they even hear my bell, my approach, or my “good morning” greeting?

Wasn’t it common practice to walk facing oncoming traffic? The cyclist (or golf car driver) and the pedestrian can each see the other’s approach. The pedestrian can be sure that the approaching ‘vehicle’ is giving them ample clearance.

I think that MMPs have room for everyone that chooses to use them.

I’ve politely told walkers to use the facing traffic lane and they were appreciative. “REALLY?!?! They said…..Yes, I said….. it’s a thing here……But as someone who bikes, walks, and uses a golf cart, I don’t think you’ll get much sympathy as most people don’t like bikers on the MMP. I myself bike and know they don’t like me but when I slow down to wave them by, I think they like me more. But I also dread, DREAD, when I see a group of bikers on the MMP because they’re impossible to get around. They only go like 7 MPH. Everyone has their gripes.

[Pugchief]

Originally Posted by Kelevision

I don’t think you’ll get much sympathy as most people don’t like bikers on the MMP.I also dread, DREAD, when I see a group of bikers on the MMP because they’re impossible to get around. They only go like 7 MPH. Everyone has their gripes.

Gripe away. Better the MMPs than on BV or Morse. IMO, YMMV

[Topspinmo]

IMO some/most walkers are worst hogs on MMP, diamond lane, and streets They walk two or more abreast won’t drop in single file when something approaches. MMP, diamond lanes, and street are roads. Here in great state of Florida addresses specific rules for walkers, walk on edge of road facing traffic. Some say MMP not road and private. Florida statue don’t differentiate between two. Now if you don’t think MMP is not road look up meaning of road. You are responsible for your safety regardless even if you are dead right.

[Kelevision]

Originally Posted by Pugchief

Gripe away. Better the MMPs than on BV or Morse. IMO, YMMV

Lucky that you’ve never encountered them on Morse or any other major road. I wish I were so lucky. I literally see a large group of bikers on the main roads daily. I don’t even go out much either.

[Laker14]

this conversation (argument) has been hashed over more than once. I agree totally with the OP, for the reason stated: bikers and walkers being able to "read" each other and know they've been acknowledged . There are those who insist, because they read it somewhere, that they should walk with traffic on MMPs and on walking trails (even though bikes and e-bikes are allowed) like Hogeye Trail.
Most of us walk facing traffic, but there are a few who will simply not do it...

[CB750 Rider]

Originally Posted by ltcdfancher

I’m a casual bicyclist living in Well Point. The route that I pedal follows the MMP nearly exclusively. On several occasions, I have come up behind someone walking along the right-side of the path. I ring my bell several times to alert them of my approach. I give them a wide berth, of course, and note that they are wearing earbuds. Did they even hear my bell, my approach, or my “good morning” greeting?

Wasn’t it common practice to walk facing oncoming traffic? The cyclist (or golf car driver) and the pedestrian can each see the other’s approach. The pedestrian can be sure that the approaching ‘vehicle’ is giving them ample clearance.

I think that MMPs have room for everyone that chooses to use them.

Recently on two occasions I have seen a street legal motorized scooter on the MMP. The scooter had a license plate, drove on Morse Blvd then entered the MMP. I ride my bicycle almost daily in TV, but am getting to point where I try to avoid the MMP. Golf carts...please slow down.

[CarlR33]

Been discussed multiple times on here below is one example.
Multi Modal Path Usage - other than golf carts.

[CarlR33]

Originally Posted by CB750 Rider

Golf carts...please slow down.

and going left of center on curves because of the speed they are going.

[ElDiabloJoe]

Concur. While it is human nature to walk/run with the flow of traffic just as we did as kids on bikes, or as adults in cars, it is the least safe method and not the recommended one.

The smart "rule of the road" for walkers / runners is to run on the side of opposing traffic. For the very reasons listed here: eyeballing each other to ensure they are seen, to gauge attentiveness and room if needed to jump aside, to not be overtaken by surprise by the Lance Armstrong wannabe pelotons or golf cars. A walker walking with traffic could easily step left to avoid something on the path (dog poop, stick, trash, etc.) and step right into a golf car or bike coming up behind them.

I was a stubborn "run on the right" guy and ran thousands of miles as such. 15-25 miles per week for years. It just "felt' right to go with the flow of traffic. Someone else eventually pointed out the pros and cons and I was converted.

As for the EarPods, if they are worn listening to music, they will drone out ambient sounds. However, if worn simply for noise-cancelling purposes, they will allow ambient sounds quite clearly. There's no way to tell which way a runner or a cyclist is wearing them.

[Topspinmo]

Originally Posted by CB750 Rider

Recently on two occasions I have seen a street legal motorized scooter on the MMP. The scooter had a license plate, drove on Morse Blvd then entered the MMP. I ride my bicycle almost daily in TV, but am getting to point where I try to avoid the MMP. Golf carts...please slow down.

So what’s different between licensed LSV, electric bicycles, vs scooters motorized or not? Especially it scooter considered moped less than 49cc. I guess I can ride mini bike AKA pit bike on MMP and be legal cause they are not licensed? IMO anything has license plates should not be on MMP which included any licensed LSV golf cart or otherwise. IMO designed LSV are too wide for MMP.

[VApeople]

The MMPs are mainly used by golf carts. Any other users are taking a big risk.

We have been here 9 years and do not own a golf cart. One time about 7 years ago we walked 200 yards on an MMP and thought it was too dangerous. That ended our MMP experience.

We love the walking trails in the Southern area, but we wish they would ban e-bikes.

[Bill14564]

Originally Posted by VApeople

The MMPs are mainly used by golf carts. Any other users are taking a big risk.

We have been here 9 years and do not own a golf cart. One time about 7 years ago we walked 200 yards on an MMP and thought it was too dangerous. That ended our MMP experience.

We love the walking trails in the Southern area, but we wish they would ban e-bikes.

... and the bicyclists wish they would ban the carts and the carts wish they would ban the pedestrians..

[Velvet]

Well, TV advertises itself as a golf cart community, not as a walking or bicycle riding community. So if anyone got banned, it would be them. The bridges and tunnels are also built for golf carts. But as there is a recognition that people do like to use their bikes and they do like to walk, there is more and more building for these type of activities in the newer areas.

[Bill14564]

Originally Posted by Topspinmo

So what’s different between licensed LSV, electric bicycles, vs scooters motorized or not? Especially it scooter considered moped less than 49cc. I guess I can ride mini bike AKA pit bike on MMP and be legal cause they are not licensed? IMO anything has license plates should not be on MMP which included any licensed LSV golf cart or otherwise. IMO designed LSV are too wide for MMP.

Licensed LSV: Could be a Yamaha golf cart modified for 25mph and an approved windshield.
E-bike: If it fits one of the three categories recognized by Florida law then it is treated as a bicycle.
Scooter: Not sure what is meant by a scooter. A two-wheeled vehicle with a seat and a motor? A four-wheeled mobility device? A small, two-wheeled vehicle you stand on?
Moped: Defined by Florida law and treated more like a motorcycle than a bicycle

Allowed on MMP: Pedestrians, bicycles, golf carts. Some years ago the question of LSVs came up and it was the opinion of the District lawyer that an LSV is essentially a fast golf cart and is allowed on the MMP.

Too wide for MMP: 47" appears to be standard. Yamaha, EZ-Go, and Star are 47". Evolution and Atomic appear to be 56". Is there a maximum width and is 56" too wide? While that would rule out Atomic it would also rule out Yamahas with Curtis Cabs.

What is it about the license plate that makes the vehicle inappropriate for the MMP? I'm sure it's not the DOT-approved windshield. It can't be the speed as we've been told many times that almost all carts have been modified to go 30mph+. If I take the plate off my LSV is it then acceptable? What if it's a silly "The Villages" vanity plate and not an official DMV plate, is it okay then? Are there other accessories that would make a cart ineligible to use the MMPs in your opinion?