[twoplanekid]

As I live in Lake Deaton, I can walk the sidewalk along Hillsborough Trail from Buena Vista Blvd all the way to Morse Blvd or the sidewalk from Hillsborough Trail south along Warnock to the Lake Deaton pool and beyond.

[dotti105]

We do have nice residential areas in which to walk. But if I want to get from point "A" to point "B" it gets tricky.

I just did not realize how difficult it would be to get to Brownwood from Gilchrist. It is not easy to get across Buena Vista. I would need to figure that out. I guess I would have to use a tunnel, which is very sketchy, to say the least.

Then once I am in Pinellas, I could take residential streets to Collier and then out to Buena Vista at Eisenhower. I would then have to cross 44A or take another tunnel. So it does not look like a pleasant walk, even on a weekday with less traffic.

I can walk from Morse + Pinellas, along Pinellas on a sidewalk all the way to Pinellas + Buena Vista, which is a nice walk. I would love to walk to Pinellas Plaza, but the tunnel is the only way to legally get across Buena Vista. That's where it gets tricky. I don't enjoy the prospect of being in a tunnel with golf carts.

I'm glad I have my own golf cart to zip around in. Not good exercise, but much easier to get from point "A" to point "B". It just doesn't help me with my new year's resolutions to get more exercise! Haha!!

[Barefoot]

Originally Posted by frannieb

So absolutely no park area to walk...except in Springdale at the dog park.

The Mulberry dog park is adjacent to the Springdale Walking Trail .
They aren't the same place.

[tomwed]

Originally Posted by dotti105

We do have nice residential areas in which to walk. But if I want to get from point "A" to point "B" it gets tricky.

I just did not realize how difficult it would be to get to Brownwood from Gilchrist. It is not easy to get across Buena Vista. I would need to figure that out. I guess I would have to use a tunnel, which is very sketchy, to say the least.

Then once I am in Pinellas, I could take residential streets to Collier and then out to Buena Vista at Eisenhower. I would then have to cross 44A or take another tunnel. So it does not look like a pleasant walk, even on a weekday with less traffic.

I can walk from Morse + Pinellas, along Pinellas on a sidewalk all the way to Pinellas + Buena Vista, which is a nice walk. I would love to walk to Pinellas Plaza, but the tunnel is the only way to legally get across Buena Vista. That's where it gets tricky. I don't enjoy the prospect of being in a tunnel with golf carts.

I'm glad I have my own golf cart to zip around in. Not good exercise, but much easier to get from point "A" to point "B". It just doesn't help me with my new year's resolutions to get more exercise! Haha!!

Yesterday I played Sand Hill. I walk, carry and drive a car I park at Turtle Mound. I hitch hike under the tunnel. One time I tried walking under the tunnel and almost got hit twice. I can understand too because you are not looking for walkers and you go from bright sun to tunnel darkness. In the tunnel I couldn't figure out if it was safer to walk with traffic or against it.

I got picked up by an Ambassador and going back dropped off by someone in the foursome. Who wouldn't pick up a hitch hiker who looks like they belong here?

[NYGUY]

Originally Posted by tomwed

....I got picked up by an Ambassador and going back dropped off by someone in the foursome. Who wouldn't pick up a hitch hiker who looks like they belong here?

Smart not to walk through that or any other tunnel....I would have no problem picking you up!!

[klough53]

Does this mean we should not bring our recumbant trikes down with us, they are hard to see as they are low. We would definitely lose if hit by a golfcart

[billethkid]

why is it that boaters on the water with no road signs, no centerline, no tunnels or overpasses seem to be able to navigate (yes pun intended) without "much" incident? We all know there will be non comformists in ANY group....they are in the minority.....

As for tunnels.....riding or walking I enter a tunnel as if there is someone/something in there and procede not at full throttle.

The issue here in TV is the majority of cart drivers go 100% full throttle and do not consider easing up when confronting other traffic (people or otherwise).
I choose to beleive they do not know there is a range of throttle and only drive pedal to the floor no matter what.

Just look at the curbs and tunnel walls and posts along the MMDs...there are tire scuff marks all over the place and we all know how many times the same posts have been knocked over......pedal to the floor indicators all.....

[sunnyatlast]

Originally Posted by rubicon

Hi sunnyatlast: Exactly. It was poor thinking that created these multi-modal paths. It is obvious what this would have produced forcing vehcile and pedestrian on the same pathway. I understand the shared blame position but it all starts with the poor thinking/design of these pathways

I disagree that the paths are poorly designed. I think they're well designed with the system of tunnels to allow us to get safely to the other side of major routes like Hwy. 466 and 466-A and now Powell Road to get to the new Publix at Hwy. 44.

The only thing "poorly designed" is the designation of who's supposed to use them. Pedestrians should not be walking in vehicular traffic going 20 mph as golf carts do. Too many walkers walk on the multimodal paths on the right side, with their back to carts coming up behind them, and they are wearing clothing the same color as the pavement and dusk skies. The paths wind and have hills and curves and pedestrians are often very difficult to see until you're almost upon them.

[Villages PL]

I sometimes walk on the multi-modal path during the day and I make it a point to walk facing traffic. There's a few golf cart drivers who think it's okay to come within inches of me at full speed. When I see them coming at me like that I jump to my left, into the grass. Most drivers are careful and leave lots of room or else they slow down.

[SouthOfTheBorder]

Originally Posted by sunnyatlast

I disagree that the paths are poorly designed. I think they're well designed with the system of tunnels to allow us to get safely to the other side of major routes like Hwy. 466 and 466-A and now Powell Road to get to the new Publix at Hwy. 44.

The only thing "poorly designed" is the designation of who's supposed to use them. Pedestrians should not be walking in vehicular traffic going 20 mph as golf carts do. Too many walkers walk on the multimodal paths on the right side, with their back to carts coming up behind them, and they are wearing clothing the same color as the pavement and dusk skies. The paths wind and have hills and curves and pedestrians are often very difficult to see until you're almost upon them.

If I understand your reasoning and concerns, it your position that no one should be walking on our neighborhood streets where the speed limit is 20 mph and where cars/carts abound?

Cart drivers who drive with a mindset that walkers/runners/bikers "do not belong" on "golf cart paths" are the real danger and they create most of the unsafe MMT mixed-use conditions.

If drivers of the bigger, heavier, faster vehicles would just slow down and share our MMT space with others, this subject would not be a regular topic on TOTV.

I do agree with you regarding those who walk with their back to oncoming traffic.

Don

[PaPaLarry]

Originally Posted by Wandatime

Maybe I should rephrase my original post, which was "You go for it. I am staying on the sidewalks" to "You go for it, I am walking anywhere but the multi modal paths."

I was and am not trying to be a smarty pants. I tried walking on the multi modal paths. It quickly became quite clear to me, as it did to the original OP, that it felt unsafe and uncomfortable. Yes, I have every right to be there, but I personally did not feel safe. I am not one to willingly put myself in situations where I feel unsafe, so I decided to walk somewhere other than the multi-modal path.

I chose the word sidewalk because that is my preference, but I do tend to walk long distances on the individual neighborhood streets without sidewalks as well. I walk about four miles a day. Again, that is MY preference. For those of you that choose to walk on the multi modal paths, I repeat, "Go for it." It is not for me.

Well put Wanda

[Sanibel7]

please go to the district web site at Village Community Development Districts and read the rules about multi modal paths. It's really common sense folks. All multi modal paths are open to walking, jogging skating cycling etc.. Everything except for licensed vehicles. Mopeds , motorcycles and well we'll let you think of the rest. If you come upon anything other than a golf cart( and you are in one) just slow down until it is safe to pass. Just slow down. If you're late for a tee time to bad! you should have left earlier! heck what's the rush you're supposed to be Retired! Relax, Enjoy and let other folks enjoy too!

[Chazz]

Originally Posted by Jimturner

Ya can't win. A few months ago on Bueno Vista, I followed a couple on bikes thru a section that had a divider between north and south lanes and was honked at by the cart behind me several times and told I was an as%#€|| for not passing them in that section.

Thankfully, you were much smarter than the moron who honked you! Most of those divided lanes are far too narrow for a cart to safely pass cyclists, while still affording the 3 foot minimum required clearance.

[Chazz]

Originally Posted by klough53

Does this mean we should not bring our recumbant trikes down with us, they are hard to see as they are low. We would definitely lose if hit by a golfcart

Welcome and congratulations on your first TOTV post!

My wife and I ride throughout most of TV, often, on our recumbent trikes. In addition, the Lake Sumter Landing Bike club now has a trike group that rides together on Mondays in TV. In the 6 years that I have been riding here I have never had a problem being seen. The key is to take steps (good lighting and flags) and using common road wary riding sense. In addition to riding in TV, our location is convenient to many bike specific paved trails within an hour, or so, drive. Come on down and enjoy the ride!

[klough53]

See you in February. Thanks for the info