[alzjr]

BV, Morse south of 466, El Camino Real, and Stillwater Tr. between Morse and BV all have lanes 11 feet wide. Classified as sub-standard width by Florida law which means there is not enough room for a bicycle, scooter, rollerblader, motorcycle, lawnmower, and a car to travel in at the same time.
USE THE OTHER LANE.

[l2ridehd]

Passing a bicycle should be done in as safe a manor as possible. Use the second lane if available, allow 3 feet or more on the path, yes they should use the left lane in a round about if turning left.

However, I don't care if your feet are bolted to the pedal you have no legal right to blow through stop signs and red lights. Maybe it's not convenient to unclip, than find a different solution.

I ride a motorcycle. It's not convenient to stop and place my feet on the pavement at stop signs either. Sand causes foot to slip, bike is heavy, etc. I am still breaking the law if I don't stop. And so are bicycle riders if they don't stop. And many many more don't stop than do stop.

[tuccillo]

One more time. You are wrong. Please pay attention this time. This has already been posted but I will do it one more time. If the road is not sufficiently wide for a bike and a car to coexist with at least 3 feet of clearance than the bike is entitled to the lane. Bikes are not required to ride as far right as possible - they are required to ride as far right as the condition of the road allows. If the road is too narrow for a bike and car to coexist with 3 feet of clearance than it really doesn't matter. Most of the roads in The Villages are too narrow for a bike and car to coexist in the same lane.

Originally Posted by Justus

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!

So many cyclists share the misconception that they own the road and are entitled to tie up traffic at any speed they choose. Florida law IS explicit about this! Regardless of how many times the link to the Florida State Code is offered on this forum, there are still those who insist on interpreting it as it suits them. Thank God there are still some rational, informed cyclists out there!

The only way this issue will be resolved is if cyclists are required to be educated, tested and licensed if they choose to use public roads. That is the case in California; if they violate traffic laws there, they are ticketed, fined or hauled off in handcuffs, just like any other irresponsible driver.

[tuccillo]

You go ahead and do that.

Why would you possibly care what other people wear when they are biking? As I said, biking shorts are padded. What part of that did you fail to understand?

Originally Posted by dirtbanker

Yes the law is what it is, till it is changed...I will pass my suggestion for testing, plates, and ticketing to those that will listen. Some of those might be interested in the revenue possibilities.

Sure, regular shorts and a regular shirt would not bring enough attention your way....Sport?

There is no way to accurately determine the 3' distance, if you feel safe with that; it seems to me that your the one that needs to consider "your own peril". I will also suggest requiring bicyclist to have insurance coverage for damage to cars in the event they "fall into" a car that is passing...just in case 3' turns out not to be enough room.

[tuccillo]

Nobody claimed that rolling through stop signs is legal in FL, although it is legal in some states such as Idaho. Many cars roll through stop signs also. In fact, I would say many more cars roll through stop signs, when it is clear, than come to a complete stop in my Village. It is what it is. I am just informing you of why. Move on.

Originally Posted by l2ridehd

Passing a bicycle should be done in as safe a manor as possible. Use the second lane if available, allow 3 feet or more on the path, yes they should use the left lane in a round about if turning left.

However, I don't care if your feet are bolted to the pedal you have no legal right to blow through stop signs and red lights. Maybe it's not convenient to unclip, than find a different solution.

I ride a motorcycle. It's not convenient to stop and place my feet on the pavement at stop signs either. Sand causes foot to slip, bike is heavy, etc. I am still breaking the law if I don't stop. And so are bicycle riders if they don't stop. And many many more don't stop than do stop.

[CFrance]

Originally Posted by tuccillo

Nobody claimed that rolling through stop signs is legal in FL, although it is legal in some states such as Idaho. Many cars roll through stop signs also. In fact, I would say many more cars roll through stop signs, when it is clear, than come to a complete stop in my Village. It is what it is. I am just informing you of why. Move on.

Tuccillo... If you read back on posts about bicycling, you will find that I am a staunch defender of cyclists' right to the road, even though I am not a cyclist myself. I would like to point out, though, that comments like "move on" used to defend yourselves from breaking the road laws are what lead to cyclers being labeled as arrogant, entitled, and otherwise special. My suggestion would be to make your initial statement, but leave any impertinent declaratives out of it. Nobody, but nobody likes to be told what to do.

[outlaw]

Originally Posted by tuccillo

Why you would continue to hold onto a belief that cars have more of a right to the roads than cyclists is beyond me. Cyclists have just as much of a right to use the roads as cars.

Uh, because autos pay for the roads through licensing and gasoline taxes; because roads were built for autos, not bikes, ergo the 15 ft width. Does that help?

[Villager Audio Video]

Cyclists don't have cars and dont pay for licensing and gas taxes?

[dirtbanker]

Originally Posted by tuccillo

If the road is not sufficiently wide for a bike and a car to coexist with at least 3 feet of clearance than the bike is entitled to the lane. Bikes are not required to ride as far right as possible - they are required to ride as far right as the condition of the road allows. If the road is too narrow for a bike and car to coexist with 3 feet of clearance than it really doesn't matter. Most of the roads in The Villages are too narrow for a bike and car to coexist in the same lane.

You are wrong and I am going to tell you why;

(1) There is no way to accurately determine the width of a lane from behind the wheel of a car. If you want to leave that responsibility entirely to a driver of a car (especially one in a retirement community), you could end up dead right.

(2) Bikes are required to ride as far right as possible, obviously conditions of the road would limit how far right is "possible". You are playing word games with your safety. Your padded shorts and spandex blouse are not going to help much if you get in an accident with a vehicle.

(3) If the road is too narrow for bike and car to coexist with 3' of clearance it certainly does matter. You are inconveniencing a number of other people for your personal enjoyment. You see any joggers running down the middle of the lane causing cars to pile up behind them??

I believe the attitude becomes "super hero" the moment they put on the silly outfit.

[dirtbanker]

Originally Posted by Villages Audio Video

Cyclists don't have cars and dont pay for licensing and gas taxes?

Not sure if all of them do or not, what is the intended point there?

I do know; if I own more than one car, I have to pay for more than one license plate and I pay road tax on each of the vehicles. I also am required to have insurance in case I am involved in an accident and I have to pass a test to have the privileged to operate the vehicle on the road.

[tuccillo]

I am not defending anything. Bikes and cars both roll through stop signs. Cars do it a lot more than bikes because there are a lot more cars than bikes on the roads. Whining about anyone rolling through stop signs is a waste of time. Nearly everyone does it, therefore, move on to your next topic.

Originally Posted by CFrance

Tuccillo... If you read back on posts about bicycling, you will find that I am a staunch defender of cyclists' right to the road, even though I am not a cyclist myself. I would like to point out, though, that comments like "move on" used to defend yourselves from breaking the road laws are what lead to cyclers being labeled as arrogant, entitled, and otherwise special. My suggestion would be to make your initial statement, but leave any impertinent declaratives out of it. Nobody, but nobody likes to be told what to do.

[tuccillo]

As has been already pointed out, most of the roads in The Villages are substandard width and cannot accommodate a car and a bike with the required 3 feet of clearance. Bikes have just as much of a right to the road as cars. Why you would choose to argue this fact is still beyond me. Most cyclists own cars so they are paying for the roads. Does this clear things up for you?

Originally Posted by outlaw

Uh, because autos pay for the roads through licensing and gasoline taxes; because roads were built for autos, not bikes, ergo the 15 ft width. Does that help?

[outlaw]

Originally Posted by Villages Audio Video

Cyclists don't have cars and dont pay for licensing and gas taxes?

They are more than welcome to drive their cars on the road and "own their lane".

Every vehicle I use on the road helps pay for that road, which is fine since I am using the road. When I ride my bike on the road, that bike isn't contributing to the building or maintenance of the road. It's a "free benefit for me. I always yield to autos. I find being extra courteous to motorists while cycling along the road, moving as far left as SAFELY as possible, usually results in the motorists giving plenty of room as they pass. But by all means, "own that lane" at your peril. And don't forget to step off of the curb into that pedestrian crosswalk without looking to see if that car is going to turn into you. After all, you are in a pedestrian crosswalk and it is up to the motorist to yield to you.

[tuccillo]

Why you would choose to defend a position that is counter to the law is beyond me. One more time. If the road is too narrow to accommodate a car and a bike with 3 feet of clearance then the bike is entitled to the lane. Bikes have as much right to the roads as cars. If you are inconvenienced that is too bad - just as you would be inconvenienced by a car driving slower than you wish. Roads are a shared resource and the law is written that cars and bikes share the road. If you don't like the law then work to change it. Complaining accomplishes nothing.

Many people ride bikes on the roads in The Villages. Your posts suggest that you harbor resentment towards these people. Life is too short to have anger in your heart.

Originally Posted by dirtbanker

You are wrong and I am going to tell you why;

(1) There is no way to accurately determine the width of a lane from behind the wheel of a car. If you want to leave that responsibility entirely to a driver of a car (especially one in a retirement community), you could end up dead right.

(2) Bikes are required to ride as far right as possible, obviously conditions of the road would limit how far right is "possible". You are playing word games with your safety. Your padded shorts and spandex blouse are not going to help much if you get in an accident with a vehicle.

(3) If the road is too narrow for bike and car to coexist with 3' of clearance it certainly does matter. You are inconveniencing a number of other people for your personal enjoyment. You see any joggers running down the middle of the lane causing cars to pile up behind them??

I believe the attitude becomes "super hero" the moment they put on the silly outfit.

[Justus]

Originally Posted by tuccillo

One more time. You are wrong. Please pay attention this time. This has already been posted but I will do it one more time. If the road is not sufficiently wide for a bike and a car to coexist with at least 3 feet of clearance than the bike is entitled to the lane. Bikes are not required to ride as far right as possible - they are required to ride as far right as the condition of the road allows. If the road is too narrow for a bike and car to coexist with 3 feet of clearance than it really doesn't matter. Most of the roads in The Villages are too narrow for a bike and car to coexist in the same lane.

Read the law!!! This time, don't interpret it to your advantage. Apparently, to cyclists who hog the roads and hold vehicular traffic behind them, Buena Vista and 466 are not "wide enough". If an automobile did that, they'd be ticketed for obstruction of traffic. Again, READ THE LAW!