Talk of The Villages Florida
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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/)
-   -   Motorized vehicles on the walking/bike trails (https://www.talkofthevillages.com/forums/villages-florida-general-discussion-73/motorized-vehicles-walking-bike-trails-342136/)

tophcfa 06-19-2023 08:34 AM
I prefer e-bikes on the multi modal paths since they go fast enough so they are less likely to cause congestion like regular bikes frequently do. I can understand how they could be dangerous on the pathways commingling with walkers at higher speeds.

Two Bills 06-19-2023 08:42 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by margaretmattson (Post 2227680)
No! It is not possible for a walker to always walk facing traffic. What if the walker's destination is the same as the biker's? You both must move on the same path in the same direction. It is the walker's responsibility to stay to the far right on the path allowing faster traffic to pass on the left.

If anyone knows how it is done in the villages, please let me know. I am an avid walker and have never run into a problem except here in the villages. I do not want to be hit by a faster moving vehicle. Thanks!
I was taught that it is safest to walk facing the oncoming traffic.
You can see what is coming, and take appropriate avoiding action if need be.
Regarding the biker going to same destination, he would be in the other lane anyway, and no problem at all.
Walking with traffic coming from behind in TV, is a recipe for disaster.

margaretmattson 06-19-2023 09:12 AM
We are talking about two different issues.

First issue: As a walker choose a path where you can see oncoming traffic. This is Usually on the left.

Second issue: once on the best chosen path, never walk down the middle! Walk on the far right! This allows bikes, scooters, joggers etc to pass on the left without hitting you or falling off their bike.

I thought the OP was ONLY about bikes coming up from behind. This is why I stated when walking stay on the far right. You never know if a biker or something will come up from behind. If one does, if you were walking on the far right of that path, there will be enough room for that biker to pass you safely to the left.

ohioshooter 06-19-2023 09:25 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by OrangeBlossomBaby (Post 2227745)
They are limited to between 20 and 28mph on roads in the USA. Golf carts that are set to go over 20mph are required to change their designation to LSVs, not golf carts, and must be registered, insured, and the driver must have a valid drivers license in Florida.

E-bikes are allowed to be set to go faster than golf carts, AND faster than LSVs (which aren't supposed to be set past 25mph but often are).

And a simple google search on "e-bike top speed" returned an entire page of results showing brands and manufacturers and advertisements for e-bike companies boasting about their high-speed e-bikes. So that indicates that - you had (up until just now) a very limited knowledge of the top speed of e-bikes.
I just hope that more than a couple people will make this decision if it ever comes up. Maybe you can be the cop that patrols TV with a radar gun. This is another subject that I’m done with.

JMintzer 06-19-2023 09:47 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by margaretmattson (Post 2227680)
TIf anyone knows how it is done in the villages, please let me know. I am an avid walker and have never run into a problem except here in the villages. I do not want to be hit by a faster moving vehicle. Thanks!
Why do you continue to ask the same question and expect different answers?

margaretmattson 06-19-2023 10:14 AM
Not expecting anyone to agree with me. With so many new and different types of trails with much more traffic just wanted clarification. No matter which path you walk there is always going to be someone behind you, someone doing something different, someone with a destination or need different than yours, ..... I just want to be safe!

I am 60 yrs old and have never been in any type of traffic accident, walking, biking, or in a vehicle. Maybe I should just continue to trust my instincts and not ruin your day by asking questions. Sorry, you felt the need to belittle me! Won't happen again!

charlie1 06-19-2023 10:43 AM
Found this explanation when looking for the Florida Law. I do believe that there are E-bikes in the Villages that exceed 20 mph and are therefore not considered Bikes.


"Florida law places a 20 mph cap on the top speed of the electric bicycle. Any electric assisted pedal bike that exceeds that top speed capability to 30 mph is considered a Class E moped and a license and registration is required. E bikes are only allowed on sidewalks under pedal power. There are high performance models available that can reach speeds of 80 mph and are classified as motorcycles."

JMintzer 06-19-2023 10:54 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by margaretmattson (Post 2227847)
Not expecting anyone to agree with me. With so many new and different types of trails with much more traffic just wanted clarification. No matter which path you walk there is always going to be someone behind you, someone doing something different, someone with a destination or need different than yours, ..... I just want to be safe!
And I (and others) gave you a sound suggestion to do just that...

You just didn't want to take that advice..

If you walk on the left, facing traffic, who is going to be coming up behind you?

Quote:
I am 60 yrs old and have never been in any type of traffic accident, walking, biking, or in a vehicle. Maybe I should just continue to trust my instincts and not ruin your day by asking questions. Sorry, you felt the need to belittle me! Won't happen again!
And I've already told you to make your own decision and take your chances...

How you see that as "belittling" is ponderous...

Bill14564 06-19-2023 11:24 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by charlie1 (Post 2227851)
Found this explanation when looking for the Florida Law. I do believe that there are E-bikes in the Villages that exceed 20 mph and are therefore not considered Bikes.


"Florida law places a 20 mph cap on the top speed of the electric bicycle. Any electric assisted pedal bike that exceeds that top speed capability to 30 mph is considered a Class E moped and a license and registration is required. E bikes are only allowed on sidewalks under pedal power. There are high performance models available that can reach speeds of 80 mph and are classified as motorcycles."
It looks like that might be dated information. From the Florida Statutes Chapter 316:

316.003(23)(c) “Class 3 electric bicycle” means an electric bicycle equipped with a motor that provides assistance only when the rider is pedaling and that ceases to provide assistance when the electric bicycle reaches the speed of 28 miles per hour.

OrangeBlossomBaby 06-19-2023 12:43 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bill14564 (Post 2227865)
It looks like that might be dated information. From the Florida Statutes Chapter 316:

316.003(23)(c) “Class 3 electric bicycle” means an electric bicycle equipped with a motor that provides assistance only when the rider is pedaling and that ceases to provide assistance when the electric bicycle reaches the speed of 28 miles per hour.
That would be a different bike. There are a few different types of e-bikes.

huge-pigeons 06-20-2023 04:48 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by OrangeBlossomBaby (Post 2227682)
I've been passed recently by an e-bike while I was driving in my golf cart, in the Historic section. We don't have MMPs here except for one small strip up by the country club. We drive our carts in the street just like other motor vehicles, and the POSTED speed limit is 25mph except along Paradise Park, where it's 15 mph.

Not only was I passed by this e-bike, it was a guy sailing through the stop sign, without even slowing down, and passed me when I was at my top cruising speed of 20.3. Considering the speed at which he passed me, I'd say he was going closer to 30 than 25, so he ran a stop sign, and was speeding.

E-bikes can go in excess of 35mph at full throttle, some are even able to go as high as 45mph. They need to not be allowed on MMPs or walking/biking trails. I think they should require registration and a drivers license, just like mopeds do.
Most e-bikes go < 20 mph from the factory, I can usually pass all e-bikes pretty easy in the golf cart. My e-bike going down a steep hill with pedal assist 5 can get me in the 20’s mph but we don’t have these type of hills here, so the 35 mph is quite an exaggeration. Are there some e-bikes in the world that can go over 35 mph or even 45 mph. Probably not if purchased legally and not altered.

Why are e-bikes limited to 20 mph?
Why is There a 20 MPH Speed Limit on Electric Bikes in USA?
The CPSA imposes a 20mph speed limit on electric bikes in order to protect consumers from injury. Electric bikes that go faster than 20mph can pose a danger to riders, as they are more likely to lose control and crash.

b0bd0herty 06-20-2023 05:27 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by dhdallas (Post 2227732)
Once again, because of a few bad apples, every e-bike owner should be punished with an outright ban on the walking/bike paths. I own 4 e-bikes and ride responsibly as do almost all e-bike riders. Anyway, how are you planning on enforcing the ban? Good luck with that.

If I was going to ban anything it would be those non-golf carts, as in Atomic cars, from the MMP's. If Atomic vehicles are allowed then what about quads, go carts, Kei mini-trucks, etc.

Finally, it is in the U.S. Constitution (somewhere) that bicycles do not have to stop for traffic signs/signals if they can safely ascertain that the roadway is clear.
I am so happy that our Forefathers, after rebelling against the world's greatest superpower, took the time to specify that bicyclists do not have to obey traffic signs if they feel they don't have too. Appreciate you bringing this to our attention!

gldfin 06-20-2023 06:16 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by OrangeBlossomBaby (Post 2227682)
I've been passed recently by an e-bike while I was driving in my golf cart, in the Historic section. We don't have MMPs here except for one small strip up by the country club. We drive our carts in the street just like other motor vehicles, and the POSTED speed limit is 25mph except along Paradise Park, where it's 15 mph.

Not only was I passed by this e-bike, it was a guy sailing through the stop sign, without even slowing down, and passed me when I was at my top cruising speed of 20.3. Considering the speed at which he passed me, I'd say he was going closer to 30 than 25, so he ran a stop sign, and was speeding.

E-bikes can go in excess of 35mph at full throttle, some are even able to go as high as 45mph. They need to not be allowed on MMPs or walking/biking trails. I think they should require registration and a drivers license, just like mopeds do.
Although stated as facts this is incorrect. Ebikes throttle only can only go 20 mph. With pedal assist the maximum is 28 mph.

terryf484 06-20-2023 06:36 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by dhdallas (Post 2227732)
Once again, because of a few bad apples, every e-bike owner should be punished with an outright ban on the walking/bike paths. I own 4 e-bikes and ride responsibly as do almost all e-bike riders. Anyway, how are you planning on enforcing the ban? Good luck with that.

If I was going to ban anything it would be those non-golf carts, as in Atomic cars, from the MMP's. If Atomic vehicles are allowed then what about quads, go carts, Kei mini-trucks, etc.

Finally, it is in the U.S. Constitution (somewhere) that bicycles do not have to stop for traffic signs/signals if they can safely ascertain that the roadway is clear.
I have e-biked on walking paths and I walked the walking paths. Most bikes I have encountered on the walking paths, traveling at a higher rate of speed, have been non-e-bikes. If people are considerate of others, there is not a need to have bans. We are retired, take like easy!!

Bill14564 06-20-2023 06:59 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by OrangeBlossomBaby (Post 2227894)
That would be a different bike. There are a few different types of e-bikes.
A different serial number? A different color?

The statement was, ""Florida law places a 20 mph cap on the top speed of the electric bicycle." The statement is not true, Florida does not have such a cap,

Florida recognizes that there are electric bicycles that have pedal assistance up to 28mph. Florida labels these as Class 3 electric bicycles. Florida then goes on to say that electric bicycles have the same rights and restrictions as non-electric bicycles.

One question would be what happens with an electric bicycle that has a top speed greater than 28mph? My guess is nothing happens with them. My guess is the police have better things to do than inspect expensive bicycles.


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