[Sgt Ed]

Originally Posted by bragones

Wednesday 6/26 AM, I was enjoying a pleasant cycle ride heading west on the 466A multi modal path. As carts would approach from behind, I would move to the side, slow down and wave the cart on. I received lots of “thank you”, waves and smiles as the cart passed. I thought to myself, this is very enjoyable. Then I came to median that divided the path into two single lanes, one for each direction. A cart came from behind and began passing me. I shouted, “don’t pass me here, it’s dangerous”. He overtook me and ran me off the path. I flew off my bike, but fortunately, onto grass and I wasn’t hurt. As I looked up I heard him yell “F YOU” and take off. Nice guy. If you are riding in a cart, pls don’t pass a cyclist riding in a multimodal path with a divider median. Let the cyclist live and enjoy. The divider always ends within several hundred feet where it will be safe to pass.

Th
is happens quite often. On way to prevent it is to ride right down the middle of the lane. Helps but not a cure for the ignorant ones.

[Sgt Ed]

[QUOTE=Sgt Ed;2344834]This happens quite often. On way to prevent it is to ride right down the middle of the lane. Helps but not a cure for the ignorant ones. I use 2 mirrors to help see the rear. I never have heard anyone signaling that they want to pass you.

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

Originally Posted by sdeikenberry

As a rider, in situations like the divided multi-modal path, it's important for the rider to own that narrow path...ride in the middle but keep up a reasonable speed. Move to the side once you are clear of the divided portion. That may not make the cart folks happy, but everyone stays safe. Legally, vehicles are required to give bicycle riders 3 feet of clearance to pass...that is not possible in the divided portions of our multi modal paths.

I would own the middle of the lane on a divided path. But if there's someone coming up behind me I would either speed up (since I am rarely in a rush and ride at a very leisurely pace), OR I would pull over onto the grass and let them pass (since I hate feeling rushed).

Depends on my mood, for the most part. But I do make efforts to get the person behind me, to become the person ahead of me.

[MaryMS]

Unfortunately there are a lot of entitled jerks living here who think everything is about themselves. They have no thoughts of kindness toward others. Glad you weren’t hurt. Stay safe.

[Regorp]

Originally Posted by bragones

Wednesday 6/26 AM, I was enjoying a pleasant cycle ride heading west on the 466A multi modal path. As carts would approach from behind, I would move to the side, slow down and wave the cart on. I received lots of “thank you”, waves and smiles as the cart passed. I thought to myself, this is very enjoyable. Then I came to median that divided the path into two single lanes, one for each direction. A cart came from behind and began passing me. I shouted, “don’t pass me here, it’s dangerous”. He overtook me and ran me off the path. I flew off my bike, but fortunately, onto grass and I wasn’t hurt. As I looked up I heard him yell “F YOU” and take off. Nice guy. If you are riding in a cart, pls don’t pass a cyclist riding in a multimodal path with a divider median. Let the cyclist live and enjoy. The divider always ends within several hundred feet where it will be safe to pass.

My biggest pet peeve is bikes on a road with no bike/golf cart lane ie: Meggison, Morse, and Buena Vista. The bike club is the biggest offender. Use the mm path next to the road, dummies. Your own fault if something happens. Duh!!

[SaucyJim]

My two cents (that's you're about to get for FREE!):

I did not move to TV to be in a hurry. However, if I do have an appointment and time is a factor, I'll use my actual car. If I'm in a golf car, I am not in a hurry and am happy to drive the speed of a bicycle for as long as required before I pass -- if I pass at all. Something I've learned relatively quickly (being a new permanent resident) is that my golf cart experience is so much nicer when I do not have the pedal to the metal. The cart is quieter and conversations with my favorite passenger (hi, Honey!) or listening to music are much more enjoyable. Slow down. Take in the scenery. Practice gratitude for all you have here. Never forget the smog, the traffic jams, and the stress of driving every day to a full-time job.

On another note, I also make it a point to pull over for cars when on residential streets. If they want to go faster, I let them. I am surprised, however, at the lack of "thank you" waves I get for being so considerate. But I'm not doing it for them, anyway. That's all I have to say about that.

[shut the front door]

Originally Posted by Girlcopper

Correct and even if you try and call the cops, they aren’t coming. They don’t take action against a person on the word of another person. They have to see it or it didn’t happen. Cops aren’t the solution to everything they have more important things to do.

I agree with everything except the highlighted section. Florida is a state in which the officer does not have to see the accident happen in order to write a ticket. Darn near every accident that is reported on the "other site", results in someone getting a ticket. It is not like that in the state I came from.

[Marathon Man]

Originally Posted by Davonu

Most cart drivers are respectful of bicyclists. But not all. That is why a ride a hybrid bicycle so I can exit onto the grass if I need to let a cart pass. I try to plan my approach to divided path sections, but sometimes a cart approaching on a divided section is unavoidable. That's when I'm go onto the grass until the cart passes.

Unfortunately, you may be giving the few inconsiderate cart drivers the idea that all bike riders should leave the path and allow them to keep their foot on the gas. Making the problem worse for all riders.

[bragones]

Thanks to all responders for the concern and advice. As an FYI: I had a helmet on, flashing lights and a mirror. I was not in the center of the lane but close to it when I saw the dude on my tail and turned to shout that he shouldn't pass me here because it wasn't safe. It became apparent that he was going to pass me. I decided it wouldn't be a good idea to move to the center with him so close to my tail. I think he would have hit me, which was probably the case since he had no problem running me off the path. I have been riding the bike paths for years with no major issues and will continue to do so. Going forward, I will definitely ride dead center in MMP lanes with medians. As for waving a cart on, I think it's the right thing to do when you see a long straight stretch, slow way down and pull over far to the right. And NO, I guess I was too shaken up to notice if he had clubs on the back, LOL!

[golfing eagles]

Originally Posted by Topspinmo

One question did the golf cart have golf clubs on back of cart?

relevance??????

[bragones]

Originally Posted by golfing eagles

relevance??????

I'm guessing the relevance to asking about golf clubs on the back of the cart was a humorous inference that perhaps the driver who ran me off the path was late for a tee time.

[chuckpedrey]

On a similar note, automobile drivers should not pass a car waiting to turn left at an intersection. Many times cars have passed me on the right while I’m waiting in an intersection to turn left.

[Bill14564]

Originally Posted by chuckpedrey

On a similar note, automobile drivers should not pass a car waiting to turn left at an intersection. Many times cars have passed me on the right while I’m waiting in an intersection to turn left.

Need more detail on this. In many cases it is completely legal to pass on the right if a vehicle is making a left turn. (see Fl Statute 316.084(1)(a))

[asianthree]

I rode long distance until we moved here. I will load bike and travel to safer paths that allow bikes, but not golf cart. I never ride the roads here.

No matter how you feel about bikes vs cart vs car, but bike will always loose. I get it every one feels their way is correct, but correct doesn’t mean you will arrive safely. We have plenty of elderly who shouldn’t be driving a cart or car. Vision can be sketchy, you are in their blind spot, or they are just unaware they are actually driving in the cart lane in their car.

I will say if I have to be on MMP path I own the lane means I own the middle of the lane I don’t move over for passing of faster cart. That move puts can put you off the path and in uneven grass. That said I have never had a cart try to pass in median areas, yell at me for being in the way, but then again I bike for exercise, which does not involve slow pace. I do however appreciate the cart that passes, yells out the speed, and a good job thumbs up.

[Velvet]

Originally Posted by Girlcopper

Correct and even if you try and call the cops, they aren’t coming. They don’t take action against a person on the word of another person. They have to see it or it didn’t happen. Cops aren’t the solution to everything they have more important things to do.

One reason why a GoPro camera on your bike or cart is handy. Just clip on your helmet or cart. You have documented the incident. The other is you have pictures of your trip.