[Gladys Turnip]

My husband & I have noticed something when walking on multi-modal paths.

First off I'll mention that we always walk on the left side (ie, into traffic), and that our observation only applies if there are no carts coming from behind us (fyi, if there are carts coming from both directions at the same time, we simply step off the path onto the grass, ceding the right of way).

So, when there is a cart coming at us (and no other carts, bikes, or walkers anywhere around), our observation is this: When MEN are driving the oncoming cart, they pull way over to their left, giving us wide berth which provides us with a comfortable safety buffer. On the other hand, WOMEN do not do this and instead (inexplicably) generally hold to their current lane on the right side of the path.

Suffice to say we don't understand this phenomenon, and if anyone does, we'd love to hear the reasoning. But in any case, we walkers would like to thank those cart drivers who swing wide left when approaching walkers, and we'd like to ask more (all) of you to please do the same (when you can). Thank you.

[Bogie Shooter]

Looking forward to the responses.😆

[retiredguy123]

I don't drive a golf cart, but, on the roads, I always give pedestrians, bikes, and golf carts as much space as possible, even if I need to cross the centerline, which is sometimes illegal. To me, it is just common sense. Maybe men are more likely to break rules if it increases safety.

[ThirdOfFive]

The entitlement mentality knows no gender.

[coffeebean]

I am editing my original post in this thread as it has caused such an uproar. I misspoke and I apologize. I always swing wide to avoid a pedestrian on a MMP but that is not what I said in my original post. My original words on this thread have been quoted so many times, I lost count as I read the responses. I realize now that what I said was not the way to go about my intention of relaying how dangerous these MMPs are.

Stay safe out there.

[asianthree]

Originally Posted by coffeebean

Yup......I'm a woman and will always stay in my lane. I never swing wide on any road unless I'm about to hit an obstacle. Walkers should be the ones who yield to any moving vehicle.

I also never go over the center line when driving an automobile. That is dangerous. I will never understand why drivers move to the left of the center line when a golf cart is coming up on their right in the MMP. There is room for both of you unless you are driving a huge truck with a wide load.

Well there ya go asked and answered. If you as a walker or runner, be very afraid this would be a direct admission if you as human don’t move off the path, this moving vehicle, will not swing wide, unless you are about to become a victim. Isn’t the MMP designed for all.

In my own mind I can’t ever put another human in harms way, would always make sure their space was safe for them. But 45 plus years of working trauma,

Do No Harm was what we live by

[Bill14564]

I make sure there is at least three feet of separation between my vehicle and anything I encounter in my lane. Pass a bicycle - at least 3 feet. Pass a car - use another lane. Pass a stopped delivery truck - at least 3 feet. Encounter a pedestrian - at least 3 feet. This is required by law for bicycles (316.083(2) & (3)) and is just a good way to stay safe for everything else.

Usually, this means I will need to cross the center line at least part way. If that is not safe (poor visibility, oncoming vehicles) then it is simple: just wait. The law explicitly allows this in non-passing zones when avoiding obstructions (316.0875(3)(a)) and passing a bicycle (316.0875(3)(c)).

I use the same practices when avoiding pedestrians, bicycles, and other obstructions when driving a golf cart.

[frayedends]

Originally Posted by coffeebean

Yup......I'm a woman and will always stay in my lane. I never swing wide on any road unless I'm about to hit an obstacle. Walkers should be the ones who yield to any moving vehicle.

I also never go over the center line when driving an automobile. That is dangerous. I will never understand why drivers move to the left of the center line when a golf cart is coming up on their right in the MMP. There is room for both of you unless you are driving a huge truck with a wide load.

I totally disagree with this (though gender has nothing to do with it). First, I've not seen dividers on MMP. But as the driver of a heavy vehicle you have a responsibility make way for the pedestrian. If they have to move on to grass or some other place there is a tripping hazard. Not only that, even if there is space, one slip of your hand and you bang into the walker. It makes no sense to not move wide of a pedestrian. And as mentioned, driving on a road you are likely required by law to move left of the center line. I believe it's 4 feet for bikes and I assume same for walkers.

[jimbomaybe]

Originally Posted by frayedends

I totally disagree with this (though gender has nothing to do with it). First, I've not seen dividers on MMP. But as the driver of a heavy vehicle you have a responsibility make way for the pedestrian. If they have to move on to grass or some other place there is a tripping hazard. Not only that, even if there is space, one slip of your hand and you bang into the walker. It makes no sense to not move wide of a pedestrian. And as mentioned, driving on a road you are likely required by law to move left of the center line. I believe it's 4 feet for bikes and I assume same for walkers.

I always wonder why some seem to think that a vehicle has the right of way over a pedestrian when in most states the ped is assumed to have the right of way, this is due to the fact that in a collision the damage done to a vehicle will be relatively minor compared to the pedestrian, MMP multi modal path, pedestrian, pedalcyclist and golf cart, in order of right of way to protect the most vulnerable

[bsloan1960]

Here's what we have observed. Every time we are in our golf cart one or more other carts will tailgate us- with some carts aggressively close. When they finally do go past us 90% have golf clubs on the back. When someone fails to yield for us in a round-about 90% have golf clubs in the back. We always maintain a 20 MPH speed, unless someone is behind us- then we up it to it's top speed of 21 or 22. I think the friendly people in The Villages are much friendlier than elsewhere. I also think the card-carrying assh0les in The Villages are much worse than elsewhere- with golfers being the worst. I understand that I can't draw a conclusion- I can only report my experience. Don't bother saying you are a golfer and don't act that way- I get it- you are in the 10%

Originally Posted by Gladys Turnip

My husband & I have noticed something when walking on multi-modal paths.

First off I'll mention that we always walk on the left side (ie, into traffic), and that our observation only applies if there are no carts coming from behind us (fyi, if there are carts coming from both directions at the same time, we simply step off the path onto the grass, ceding the right of way).

So, when there is a cart coming at us (and no other carts, bikes, or walkers anywhere around), our observation is this: When MEN are driving the oncoming cart, they pull way over to their left, giving us wide berth which provides us with a comfortable safety buffer. On the other hand, WOMEN do not do this and instead (inexplicably) generally hold to their current lane on the right side of the path.

Suffice to say we don't understand this phenomenon, and if anyone does, we'd love to hear the reasoning. But in any case, we walkers would like to thank those cart drivers who swing wide left when approaching walkers, and we'd like to ask more (all) of you to please do the same (when you can). Thank you.

[Two Bills]

But! But!
It's ten points for splatting a walker on the MMP, and only five if you get them if they step onto the grass verge!

PS. For Bogie. Them & They = Walkers.

[VApeople]

Originally Posted by Gladys Turnip

Suffice to say we don't understand this phenomenon.

So you do not understand what some old codgers do in The Villages. Join the club.

Don't even try to figure out what motivates other people. Just figure out what you want to do to SAFELY enjoy your life.

By the way, our idea of SAFETY is to never walk on an MMP.

[Bogie Shooter]

Originally Posted by coffeebean

Yup......I'm a woman and will always stay in my lane. I never swing wide on any road unless I'm about to hit an obstacle. Walkers should be the ones who yield to any moving vehicle.

I also never go over the center line when driving an automobile. That is dangerous. I will never understand why drivers move to the left of the center line when a golf cart is coming up on their right in the MMP. There is room for both of you unless you are driving a huge truck with a wide load.

I disagree with your first paragraph. How did you pass your drivers test?

[BrianL99]

Originally Posted by coffeebean

Yup......I'm a woman and will always stay in my lane. I never swing wide on any road unless I'm about to hit an obstacle. Walkers should be the ones who yield to any moving vehicle.

I also never go over the center line when driving an automobile. That is dangerous. I will never understand why drivers move to the left of the center line when a golf cart is coming up on their right in the MMP. There is room for both of you unless you are driving a huge truck with a wide load.

Response of the DECADE!

After reading the original post, I would have posted a response that acknowledged that it seems to be a "woman thing", damn the political correctness police. I have noticed it for 20 years, not just in TV and not just with golf carts.

As evidenced by the above response, it's an entitlement and stupidity thing, which seems to affect women more than men, particularly in The Villages.

A person who admits to such obvious stupidity and lack of concern for others, shouldn't be allowed out in public.

[Bill14564]

Originally Posted by coffeebean

Yup......I'm a woman and will always stay in my lane. I never swing wide on any road unless I'm about to hit an obstacle. Walkers should be the ones who yield to any moving vehicle.

Seems like if we ever meet on a trail, I'll have a sore arm, you'll have a broken mirror, I'll have a picture, and you'll have a lot of explaining to do.