Originally Posted by Bill1701 (Post 1819771)

If you are coming up behind them, it sounds like they are on the wrong side of the path. They should be walking facing oncoming traffic.

Originally Posted by Grill Meister (Post 1819775)

Let me make a suggestion. I live in Pennecamp and drive my golf cart early in the morning up and down St. Charles and Bailey Trail..... at that time of morning, it is pitch black and I have seen any number of walkers, wearing neutral colored clothes, walking either on the sidewalk or in the multi-lane.....you cannot see them until you are right on top of them. So, this is what I would suggest. "It's better to light one little flashlight than to cuss the dark." I went to Walmart and bought little l.e.d. flashlights for $1.00 each. I carry them with me in the golf cart and give them to walkers who have no visibility without them. I have given away, probably 60 or more of these little flashlights. The call me "the flashlight boy". What don't you try it.

Originally Posted by Girlcopper (Post 1819780)

Exactly! You see its a problem then you do something about it. Dont expect others to do it for you

Originally Posted by larrytx219 (Post 1819819)

A reflective vest will work great when cars and carts are approaching you in the dark. Your little penlight is handy when you need to look down at the pooper scooper, however, it has little value for visibility. I attempt to be as aware as possible driving but I still almost run someone over frequently at 5:30 AM, misty mornings especially. Don't let your dogs wander into the street because your leash won't protect them. Invisible runners are just playing with fire. :MOJE_whot:

Originally Posted by Joe C. (Post 1819842)

It's really simple. You are responsible (most of the time) if you hit a pedestrian. Yeah, he or she should be wearing something that makes them visible in the darkness, but YOU need to see where you are going. YOU need a light that illuminates the area in front of you that allows you to stop in time. What if there was a 12 foot alligator lying in the darkness.... or a large branch lying in the path? What then?

When stupid people are about, we need to be smarter.

Originally Posted by kendi (Post 1819887)

Very scary riding in the dark with no visibility in certain areas. I don’t get why you would even think about doing that? Are you expecting the alligators and other animals wondering around in the dark to dress for your benefit as well?

Originally Posted by collie1228 (Post 1819925)

Some people simply don't get the point. The poster is pleading with foolish people walking in the dark to please carry a light. I ride my bike most days early in the morning when it's very dark. I have an LED headlight and a blinking LED tail light on my bike. The headlight can easily be seen from 500 feet, but it doesn't illuminate my path for 500 feet. This morning there were three stupid people out walking in the dark without a light. When I went by the single person, I told her she should carry a light for her own protection. No response. The second encounter was two women without a light, one on each side of the multimode path walking toward me, and I was forced to ride my bike (slowly) between them. I was within 40-50 feet before I saw them. What in the world were they thinking? Several other walkers were out this morning carrying a light. Smart people.

Originally Posted by Fuzz323 (Post 1819947)

Sorry - I dont get it! From what I have seen myself there are walkers all the time in the golf cart lanes on the main streets in the villages. Why is this? There are sidewalks right next to them that cost (us) a lot of money. If I was a walker I would be ON THE SIDEWALK. Why put yourself in a situation where you may be run into/over by a bike or a golf cart. The most dangerous thing in the villages is a golfer on his way to an early round in the dark. They are not thinking of much but the game or are still asleep. (Three close calls with them on a residential street while walking my dog while waving a very bright LED flashlight at them.)

There is another thought here - you now have electric bikes that are doing 20 or more mph in the golf cart lane. Will a walker survive an impact like that - maybe or maybe not. You can not or will not hear these coming like you might hear a golf cart. When a sidewalk is available USE IT!

Originally Posted by Ndomines (Post 1820011)

Simple fix
Ride on the road. You are less apt to run into a walker as you peddle along at 12mph. At the time you ride there is not much traffic. You can exercise your right of way, and remember stop signs are not just for when you feel like stopping. BIKE RIDERS GET PRETTY MILITANT when it comes to how the motor vehicle laws protect their rights.
Yield to faster moving vehicles, keep to the right and when you see a large group of bike riders on the road exercising their right, be sure to tell them large groups impede traffic and creates dangerous situations. Also tell the block head at the rear of the group, you know , it’s the one on the left hugging the line as if to protect the group from behind, only a complete idiot would put their body out there with this false sense of safety. Better yet
Get them to take a safety course.
I agree about the walkers wearing dark cloths on the MMP and the streets as well. Dummies are not in short supply.

Originally Posted by golfing eagles (Post 1820163)

Not only the safety factor, but it is ILLEGAL. Florida statute 316.130 sec. 3 states "(3) Where sidewalks are provided, no pedestrian shall, unless required by other circumstances, walk along and upon the portion of a roadway paved for vehicular traffic." I have no idea what the attraction is to walking in a lane designated for carts going 20 mph . (and I'm not talking about the few feet people jump into the cart lane to maintain "social distancing", I'm talking about those that just take their whole walk in the cart lane)

Originally Posted by Graspher (Post 1819343)

For the active folks who are walking and jogging in the early morning (read that as in the dark) - for gosh sakes - carry a flashlight or wear some form of lighting gadget or at least put on a reflective vest.

If one is walking in the dark while wearing dark clothing - I as a bicyclist can not see you. I don't have a 12 volt headlight on my bike revealing dark objects 150 feet in front of me.

As part of my 20 mile bike loop I travel along CHURCHILL DOWNS between 5 and 6 a.m. There are street lights and ambient light along that road but there are also MANY pockets of absolute pure DARKNESS.

Over this past weekend I encountered 3 individuals walking along the MMP who perfectly blended in with the darkness.

I'm traveling along at 12 mph with white blinky lights on the front of my bike and a red blinky on the rear. My white lights do not illuminate anything - they are eye catchers for others to see me.

I'm coming up from behind - you don't see my lights and my bike is quiet - you are camouflaged in the darkness - I may or may not be able to see you.

Don't chance an unwelcomed intersection between you and me.

If you walk, jog, rollerblade, skate or longboard in the dark - make sure you can be seen by those in front and in back of you.

The majority of folks I encounter in the early a.m. are highly visible - thanks to all who are.

For those who aren't - use a smidge of common sense and light yourself up. It's about safety - be safe!

Originally Posted by xcaligirl (Post 1820859)

Also, they should NOT be in your lane, going the same direction as you. Walkers/joggers/runners should be going against the traffic so they can see a cart or bike coming towards them and be able to get out o their way. it's a known fact everywhere I've ever been to walk on the opposite side of the path. The same if they are walking/running/etc on the street.... walk against the traffic. When I started jogging/walking I was told of the 'rule'. I did have a hard time adjusting but I would never walk with the traffic ever again. And, ALWAYS wear colors to be seen!! If they don't have the proper attire, perhaps they should wait until it's light out. They need to be aware of the sun rising, it might not be in their eyes, however it could be shining in the eyes of the golf cart or cyclist. Common sense saves lives!! Thanks for your post.