No comment.

There really aren't enough sidewalks. For example, along Woodridge Drive in Summerhill from County Road 101 and all the way through the neighborhood. Many people like to walk to Publix and the Southern Trace shopping center, and they have to walk on the road.

But I do think if you need to walk on the "golf cart" paths or Multi modal paths at night, carry a light and wear a reflective vest.

Diamond Lane
 

Interesting to note that the new 4 way STOP now in place at the intersection of Rio Grande and Del Mar has signs that instruct PED lane to merge with vehicle lane when approaching the intersection. They were put in place by the City of Lady Lake and they identify what many refer to as the diamond lane as the PED lane.

In areas of TV where there are no sidewalks I believe that it is wise to always yield to pedestrians in those lanes. If they don't step aside the golf cart should stop and wait for the pedestrian to safely go past. Believe that is what is intended in the FL Statutes.

I usually run in the direction of the traffic rather than against it because, in relation to the above points, it achieves two things.

For ease of understanding, assume I run at 10 mph and carts travel at 20 mph, then:

1 - carts coming up behind me can slow down but continue to travel at 10 mph until it is safe to overtake me. No need to swerve or stop.

2 - carts are approaching me at (20-10=) 10 mph rather than (20+10=) 30 mph so they have three times as long to see me and react accordingly.

You may prefer to run or walk facing the traffic but, as just one of many types of legal road-user out there, the above has worked for me for forty years of running.

I have to come back here after reading all of the comments here. I can see folks walking/running in the diamond paths "if" there are NO sidewalks. BUT that being said...the diamond paths aren't all that wide so EVERYONE needs to be mindful of one another.

I had a recent experience on a road that had both sidewalks and the path described. It's a fairly busy road with alot of car/truck traffic. I was in my cart and saw a couple approaching with one of them walking in the path and the other on the sidewalk (they were together). I had car traffic on my left so I slowed a bit hoping the street-walker person would move up on the sidewalk. I pulled to the left as much as I dared---there would be then enough room for the both of us without me being plowed by a truck or car. WHEN I was exactly next to this person, they SCREAMED at me and I nearly "jumped" in my seat. THAT wasn't very smart of them as the reaction I had very easily could have had me swerve and that could have been highly disastrous. SO this is an excellant thread. I guess my thought is, if there is a sidewalk and cart traffic then the walker or runner probably should move up ont he sidewalk til the path is clear again. Just my 2-cents worth.....

Cybermuda.....I know it may have been just an example, but if you are running at 10 mph I am very impressed. Keep it up.

Here is my 2cents....The problem is a general lack of sidewalks... I can speculate on the reasons, but more sidewalks are needed.....especially N of 441....I am sure Janet Tutt's staff is aware of this problem...How could they not be?

So as just not to b***h, I propose we request The Villages to build 2miles of sidewalks, each year. Where they are most needed and can be built easily, and will fit in with aesthetics of TV. I also suggest, that these sidewalks be designed with safe crosswalks.

I would be glad to work with anyone, who knows something like this is necessary.

Not sure if I agree with this. Think we have enough cement around us here.Leave everything the same,runners and walkers and cart paths are fine. Just be defensive....

...

I was rounding down from 12 mph :-)

Not!

Florida Law
 

(47) Sidewalk – That portion of a street between the curbline, or the lateral line, of a roadway and the adjacent property lines, intended for use by pedestrians.

Walkers and runners are pedestrians.


(28) Pedestrian – Any person afoot.

Pedestrians must use sidewalks when available, or must use the shoulder.


FS 316.130 – Pedestrians; Traffic Regulations

(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 travel.

(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 ….

Pedestrians may not leave a place of safety and walk into the path of a vehicle.


(8) No pedestrian shall suddenly leave a curb or other place of safety and walk or run into the path of a vehicle ….

Bicyclists may use the sidewalk, but must yield to pedestrians


FS 316.2065 – Bicycle Regulations

(10) A person propelling a vehicle by human power upon and along a sidewalk …. has all the right and duties applicable to a pedestrian ….

(11) …. shall yield the right of way to any pedestrian ….

Another related section of the Bicycle Regulations prohibits the use of roller skates on the roadway.


(12) No person upon roller skates, or riding in or by means of any coaster, toy vehicle, or similar device, may go upon any roadway except while crossing a street on a crosswalk ….

I have read and re-read this thread countless times. Being an indefatigable rule-follower I feel most comfortable knowing what the rules are and, well, following them. That frees my mind for other things. With our move to The Villages coming up very soon, I thought I'd brush up on the driving rules and ease into our new life knowing how to safely navigate The Villages. Looks like that isn't going to happen!!!!

Even you folks who have lived there for years can't agree on the right way to drive around down there. What the heck are us newbies supposed to do?! Are there classes? More classes? Armored golf cars? Seriously!

As much as I don't want to get hurt, I definitely don't want to injure anyone else. This all sounds just nuts to me. Tell me what to do and I'll do it. You Florida Coconuts!!!

Slow down, anticipate the other guy will not do what you expect and pay attention. You will be fine driving, walking or running anywher in The Villages.

We were visiting the Villages in July and more than once after dark driving our golf cart in the diamond lanes we encountered people walking. The smart ones were carrying a flashlight which clearly alerted cart drivers like us that they were in the cart lane as we were approaching. The others did not carry a light and were very hard to see at sometimes the last moments and some even wore dark clothes??!!??!!. We always drove slower at night than during the day just for that reason. Some people just don't always think logically it seems.

Amen.