[Topspinmo]

IMO the most rule breaking on MMP, diamond lanes, on streets are walkers . Regardless when walking on paths, street's, or roads. The rules in Florida seems all to be same.

AI

On Florida multimodal paths, walkers should generally stay to the right, walk single file or close together, yield to faster traffic like bikes/golf carts, keep pets leashed, use a bell or call out when passing, and be visible at night. While specific state laws focus on roadways, path etiquette emphasizes awareness and yielding to others, especially quicker users, to ensure shared enjoyment and safety.
Key Rules & Etiquette for Walkers:
Keep Right: Stay to the right side of the path to allow others to pass, as noted in this Albany Bicycle Coalition article.
Single File or Close: Move to single file when passing or when there's oncoming traffic; avoid blocking the path.
Yield to Others: Be courteous and move to the side to let faster users (cyclists, golf carts, skaters) pass.
Be Aware & Predictable: Pay attention to your surroundings and avoid sudden movements or weaving.
Use Your Voice/Bell: Announce your presence when approaching others from behind, especially cyclists.
Pets on Leash: Keep dogs on a leash to prevent them from becoming a hazard.
Visibility at Night: Wear reflective gear or carry a light when it's dark.

So, if more than one are walking need to fall into single file when traffic approaching, not blunder two or more abreast all over path thinking YOU are right no matter where or how your group walks along.

Sure there are lots of responsible walkers, bikers, golf cart drivers, skaters, but when groups walk together lot of time they don’t follow rules above putting others and themselves in danger. Why don’t they follow rules? Maybe they don’t know or just I’m walking here everybody else get out of way?

IMO villages MMP rules are lacking by making general statements. With no reference to Florida sunshine rules.

I see this every time I go out whether walking, in golf cart, or in my vehicle. Especially in diamond lanes where walkers walk down center, hugging white line, or walking two or more abreast. These are probably the same rule breakers on MMP?

[Bill14564]

The first rule for walking is there are no rules for walking.

Florida statutes have laws for walking on the roadway but if I remember correctly, even those use words such as "should" or "when possible."

AI IS TRYING TO KILL YOU!

Forget the idea of rules that can be violated, think behaviors that are safer:
- Walk facing traffic on roadways and MMPs. You want to see what is coming at you so you can avoid them when they don't avoid you.
- Stay towards the curb but not in the grass.
- Move to single file when a vehicle is approaching

On sidewalks (in Publix, in malls, etc) we generally keep to the right in the US.

On walking/biking paths it is customary to keep to the right. "On your left" only makes sense if the bicycle is approaching from behind where you can't see it and will move away from the right side to pass on your left. Again, there are no rules to be violated and you won't get a ticket for walking on the left of a walking/biking path. However, you will be doing something unexpected which increases the chances of a problem.

[Topspinmo]

Originally Posted by Bill14564

The first rule for walking is there are no rules for walking.

Florida statutes have laws for walking on the roadway but if I remember correctly, even those use words such as "should" or "when possible."

AI IS TRYING TO KILL YOU!

Forget the idea of rules that can be violated, think behaviors that are safer:
- Walk facing traffic on roadways and MMPs. You want to see what is coming at you so you can avoid them when they don't avoid you.
- Stay towards the curb but not in the grass.
- Move to single file when a vehicle is approaching

On sidewalks (in Publix, in malls, etc) we generally keep to the right in the US.

On walking/biking paths it is customary to keep to the right. "On your left" only makes sense if the bicycle is approaching from behind where you can't see it and will move away from the right side to pass on your left. Again, there are no rules to be violated and you won't get a ticket for walking on the left of a walking/biking path. However, you will be doing something unexpected which increases the chances of a problem.

if there are no rules walk out in front of freight train or any other thing that’s bigger than you that can’t stop on dime see what happens? All rules as we were taught from toddlers are meant to be followed and for personal safety which bottom line that person solely responsible for. I agree rule are just rules don’t have to be followed till caught breaking them which be as little as scolding or kill you dead. Walkers are not special they don’t get do what ever they want, they also have rules to follow. But, we know certain amount that don’t follow no or few rules.

[fdpaq0580]

RULE 1:KEEP OFF MY LAWN.
RULE 2: LOOK LEFT, THEN RIGHT, THEN LEFT AGAIN BEFORE CROSSING
RULE 3: WHEN WALKING, WATCH OUT! DON'T ASSUME CARS, CARTS, BICYCLES SEE YOU OR WILL STOP FOR YOU OR AVOID HITTING YOU.

Remember! It only takes one moment of lack of awareness on YOUR part to get yourself squished. In any collision, YOU lose!

[Topspinmo]

Florida, the "Sunshine Rules" for walking refer to the state's pedestrian traffic laws (primarily Florida Statute 316.130). These rules establish that both pedestrians and drivers share the responsibility for safety



Facing Traffic: If no sidewalk is available, you must walk on the shoulder of the left side of the road, facing oncoming traffic.

MUST key word. If don’t say should or when.

Not that will make difference for some.

[russtcc]

When walking on the right what traffic are you going to yield to? The bikes coming from behind you. Haven't seen too many walkers passing anything but most don't have bells when they do!

I always walk on the left so I can see what's coming at me. Just the other day a biker was coming at me and was looking down at something on the bike. I had to call out so I was seen. If coming from behind I would have been hit.

When I am walking on the left and other walkers are coming my way on their right I always move over so they can take their chances. Of course I look back to see if its okay.

A kid ran over me a few years ago when I was walking with my back to traffic. Won't happen again.

[Bill14564]

Originally Posted by Topspinmo

Florida, the "Sunshine Rules" for walking refer to the state's pedestrian traffic laws (primarily Florida Statute 316.130). These rules establish that both pedestrians and drivers share the responsibility for safety



Facing Traffic: If no sidewalk is available, you must walk on the shoulder of the left side of the road, facing oncoming traffic.

MUST key word. If don’t say should or when.

Not that will make difference for some.

If you are going to refer to it, at least get it correct:

(4) Where sidewalks are not provided, any pedestrian walking along and upon a highway shall, when practicable, walk only on the shoulder on the left side of the roadway in relation to the pedestrian’s direction of travel, facing traffic which may approach from the opposite direction.

obviously includes the word "when" but applies to roadways, not MMPs, not walking/biking trails, not sidewalks.

Still, it makes sense from a safety/self-preservation standpoint to walk facing traffic on the MMPs.

[Topspinmo]

Originally Posted by Bill14564

If you are going to refer to it, at least get it correct:

(4) Where sidewalks are not provided, any pedestrian walking along and upon a highway shall, when practicable, walk only on the shoulder on the left side of the roadway in relation to the pedestrian’s direction of travel, facing traffic which may approach from the opposite direction.

obviously includes the word "when" but applies to roadways, not MMPs, not walking/biking trails, not sidewalks.

Still, it makes sense from a safety/self-preservation standpoint to walk facing traffic on the MMPs.

I don’t like arguing with stump. MMP is not sidewalk. Neither is alley, diamond lanes or anywhere else other than SIDEWALK .

[Bill14564]

Originally Posted by Topspinmo

I don’t like arguing with stump. MMP is not sidewalk. Neither is alley, diamond lanes or anywhere else other than SIDEWALK .

Very, very good.

MMP is MMP. MMP is not roadway. MMP is not sidewalk. MMP is MMP.

MMP has walkers, bikers, and golf carts. Golf carts are big and fast and often quiet. Golf carts will hurt you if they hit you. Best way to not be hit is to see what's coming. Best way to see what's coming is to walk facing traffic. In the US this means walking on the left side of the MMP.

NOTE: Walking to the left is contrary to the advice in post #1:

AI

On Florida multimodal paths, walkers should generally stay to the right...

[fdpaq0580]

OK! 2 RULES.
Rule 1: Stay off my lawn!
Rule 2: Be careful!

[VApeople]

Anyone who walks on an MMP is nuts.

Anyone who wants to walk should use the walking trails south of Route 44.

The beautiful new walking trail at Eastport does not allow golf carts or bicycles. We love it!

[Topspinmo]

Originally Posted by Bill14564

Very, very good.

MMP is MMP. MMP is not roadway. MMP is not sidewalk. MMP is MMP.

MMP has walkers, bikers, and golf carts. Golf carts are big and fast and often quiet. Golf carts will hurt you if they hit you. Best way to not be hit is to see what's coming. Best way to see what's coming is to walk facing traffic. In the US this means walking on the left side of the MMP.

NOTE: Walking to the left is contrary to the advice in post #1:

AI

On Florida multimodal paths, walkers should generally stay to the right...

THAT’S WHOLE POINT? Rules are NOT same, seems like state, country, municipalities all have different opinions. So you have pick one what consider safe for you. IMO anybody that walks with traffic (with vehicles or golf carts)not too bright. Only “free for all” on MMP cause municipalities won’t correspond with other regulations. There No doubt if NOT on MMP or side walk. IMO what makes MMP so dangerous. Walkers walking wherever. Not problem with bicycles, golf carts, skaters.

[coralway]

For “free” people supposedly living in a “free” state, sure are a lot of rules

[Topspinmo]

Originally Posted by coralway

For “free” people supposedly living in a “free” state, sure are a lot of rules

There no FREE anything, somebody paid the price or makes rules.

[golfing eagles]

Originally Posted by Topspinmo

IMO the most rule breaking on MMP, diamond lanes, on streets are walkers .
Especially in diamond lanes where walkers walk down center, hugging white line, or walking two or more abreast. These are probably the same rule breakers on MMP?

Except, south of 466, I don't know of any diamond lane that doesn't have a sidewalk on one side of the road or the other. NO PEDESTRIANS/JOGGERS/RUNNERS should EVER be in the diamond lane if a sidewalk is available. Not even if they think it's "softer" or "easier on their joints"

Florida statute 316.130 sec 3 is quite clear: (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.. There is no exception in the statute for those that think the asphalt is a softer surface. NONE. If you want to walk/jog/run on something soft, find some grass or the beach, but get out of the cart/bike lane, and don't be one of those fools that don't even move when a cart is approaching them. If you do, as many on this site like to point out, you are a CRIMINAL.