[srswans]

Originally Posted by Michael 61

... Would be interested to hear what cyclists have to say about their comfort and safety level when riding on the paths.

I ride three times a week on MMPs usually 20 miles each time.

I feel safe there.

I have the safety equipment that others have mentioned (helmet, bright clothes, front/rear blinking lights, rear-view mirror, GoPro,..)

FL says that overtakers need to give you three feet of room when passing. The law also says cyclists can take the whole lane.

There are posts and newspaper articles about close calls and crashes but the number of incidents is very small compared to miles ridden.

Practice defensive riding and enjoy.

[sasman29]

I prefer the walking paths but the cart paths are fine to ride a bike on. Got to keep watch for carts and fast bikers. Suggestion is to get a helmet mounted or handlebar mounted mirror. Keep to the right and single file. Enjoy!

[john352]

Originally Posted by Michael 61

I would really like to purchase a bicycle (either conventional or e-bike), but after living here for almost one year, I’ve seen way too many close-calls between cyclists and golf carts on the multi-modal paths. I think it would stress me out, vs being a relaxing, enjoyable ride on the paths, trying to dodge golf carts, or worry about them passing me on blind corners.

Maybe I’m over-thinking this, and it’s not as big a safety concern as I’m envisioning it to be. Would be interested to hear what cyclists have to say about their comfort and safety level when riding on the paths.

When riding my bike solo or with one other person, I always used the MMP rather than riding on Buena Vista, etc. I have done so for many years. One important safety suggestion is, when there is an island in the middle of the MMP, keep your bike in the middle of your lane; if you are on the edge of your lane, some idiot in a golf cart may try to pass you.

[john352]

When riding my bike solo or with one other person, I always used the MMP rather than riding on Buena Vista, etc. I have done so for many years. One important safety suggestion is, when there is an island in the middle of the MMP, keep your bike in the middle of your lane; if you are on the edge of your lane, some idiot in a golf cart may try to pass you.

[srswans]

If you’ve been cycling all your life and on all surfaces, then the MPP is no big deal.

If you’ve been sedentary all your life and then decide to take up cycling on the MPP when you move to TV, you may be in for a shock. In this case, stick to Pathways.

Similarly, if driving a car scares you, stick to Pathways.

[Djean1981]

Personally, I would not do it. There are a lot of bad drivers here. If you do, ensure you were a helmet, where the fluorescent orange attire, have flashing LED lights, and ride during the day when visibility is better.

[Boffin]

Originally Posted by Michael 61

I would really like to purchase a bicycle (either conventional or e-bike), but after living here for almost one year, I’ve seen way too many close-calls between cyclists and golf carts on the multi-modal paths. I think it would stress me out, vs being a relaxing, enjoyable ride on the paths, trying to dodge golf carts, or worry about them passing me on blind corners.

Maybe I’m over-thinking this, and it’s not as big a safety concern as I’m envisioning it to be. Would be interested to hear what cyclists have to say about their comfort and safety level when riding on the paths.

No.

[Happydaz]

Originally Posted by Boffin

No.

Are you a cyclist? The OP was looking for comments from experienced cyclists on their comfort and safety level when riding on the paths. As I said before, I have ridden a great deal on the paths and I feel comfortable riding on them as long as I use my rear mirror to know when I am being overtaken by a golf cart. If it is on a blind corner I just slow down to let the cart get beyond me quickly as if another cart coming the other way were to suddenly appear they would cut back into the right lane too soon and jeopardize my safety. Other than that scenario, I have ridden thousands of miles on the paths with few problems. In the last eight years I have ridden more on the roads and I only ride in large groups to improve visibility and increase the safety margin. I also ride a motorcycle around Ocala National Forest so I am very familiar with having lane presence so cars don’t run me off the road. Nothing is without risk but if you stay home and do nothing how much fun is that? More people in my neighborhood get injured playing pickleball or bending down to pick up the newspaper than I have in over ten years and 60,000 miles of cycling! Keeps me in great shape.

[MX rider]

Btw, its about a 30 minute drive up 301 to Santos Trailhead in Ocala. They have a 16 mile paved trail that goes out and back. There's a land bridge over I-75 as part of it. My wife loves to ride it when I'm hitting the dirt trails. It's mostly shaded, very safe and wide. Biking, running and walking only.

Santos Trailhead & Campground | Florida State Parks

[Chi-Town]

If you are a safe and experienced rider I'll say maybe. If you think about the golf cart drivers around you then maybe not. So I'm gonna go with no.

[kingofbeer]

Originally Posted by HomerSimpson

I recommend you also buy a bike rack for your car and take your bike to the Withlacoochee State Trail, Santos Campground, or similar. This is the safest way to go, as well as enjoyable. Otherwise it is a stressful ride on MMPs or the street.

If you HAVE to ride the MMPs. . .
1. Wear a helmet and reflective vest
2. Turn on your lights, flashing red in back at minimum
3. Use a mirror to see traffic behind you
4. If a cart comes up behind you, ride into the grass as soon as possible and let them pass
5. Ring your bell when you see people or other bikes in your path

If you ride the Hogeye or similar (no carts), ring your bell when you come up on people. It is stressful for people walking there - especially when the bikes are electric, running 15 MPH in total silence. I personally would like to see e-bikes banned from the Hogeye. It makes walking stressful when you have to keep looking over your shoulder for the surprise e-speeder.

If you HAVE to ride the MMPs. . .
1. Wear a helmet and reflective vest .. I always wear a helmet
2. Turn on your lights, flashing red in back at minimum ... I don't have either
3. Use a mirror to see traffic behind you ... I have one and check often
4. If a cart comes up behind you, ride into the grass as soon as possible and let them pass ... Never have done this. Don't expect to.
5. Ring your bell when you see people or other bikes in your path ... Do not have a bell

The bike that I ride goes at a slow speed. Approx 9 mph. I am equally concerned about impatient golf carts and bikes. One bike rider ticked me off at a stop sign at the entrance to my village and decided to pass me. I was at the stop sign first. I wanted to turn left and he wanted to go straight. Just a rude guy. He refused to let me make my turn first.

[ThirdOfFive]

Originally Posted by Michael 61

I would really like to purchase a bicycle (either conventional or e-bike), but after living here for almost one year, I’ve seen way too many close-calls between cyclists and golf carts on the multi-modal paths. I think it would stress me out, vs being a relaxing, enjoyable ride on the paths, trying to dodge golf carts, or worry about them passing me on blind corners.

Maybe I’m over-thinking this, and it’s not as big a safety concern as I’m envisioning it to be. Would be interested to hear what cyclists have to say about their comfort and safety level when riding on the paths.

Safe? Well...

In my experience, from what I've seen, heard and read, bicyclists are as a group pretty much the pariahs of The Villages. Car drivers seem to get impatient with them on the streets because they travel in packs, clog up lanes, and often flout traffic laws with impunity. On the MMPs they reside in that niche between walkers and cart drivers, causing problems for both (and yeah...I know that it is maybe the walkers and cart drivers causing many of the problems, but the point is that if the bicycles weren't there, the problems attendant to them being there wouldn't be either).

Everything is relative. Judging from what I've seen and (sometimes) experienced, both on the MMPs and on the streets, anything short of an M1 Abrams is "unsafe" to a certain degree. Evaluate the risk and act accordingly.

[Cliff Fr]

Originally Posted by Michael 61

I would really like to purchase a bicycle (either conventional or e-bike), but after living here for almost one year, I’ve seen way too many close-calls between cyclists and golf carts on the multi-modal paths. I think it would stress me out, vs being a relaxing, enjoyable ride on the paths, trying to dodge golf carts, or worry about them passing me on blind corners.

Maybe I’m over-thinking this, and it’s not as big a safety concern as I’m envisioning it to be. Would be interested to hear what cyclists have to say about their comfort and safety level when riding on the paths.

If you do I would wear a body cam

[Bitsee]

May I suggest that you
" Try before you Buy" you may decide it's not for you.
We go biking during the weekdays on the Santos bike trail outside of Ocala.
There's a bike rental place directly across from the Santos trail that you could rent a nice bike for the day.
That trail is beautiful and completely shaded...we absolutely love it .

There is no way I would ever ride my bike in The Villages again !

Too much traffic, too many people, and you are so busy navigating thru the golf carts and walkers you won't enjoy one second of your ride.

Just a suggestion ~

[Regorp]

Originally Posted by Michael 61

I would really like to purchase a bicycle (either conventional or e-bike), but after living here for almost one year, I’ve seen way too many close-calls between cyclists and golf carts on the multi-modal paths. I think it would stress me out, vs being a relaxing, enjoyable ride on the paths, trying to dodge golf carts, or worry about them passing me on blind corners.

Maybe I’m over-thinking this, and it’s not as big a safety concern as I’m envisioning it to be. Would be interested to hear what cyclists have to say about their comfort and safety level when riding on the paths.

Pet peeve: bikes in the cart lane along Marsh Bend Trail when a safer route is the walking/bike path that runs right alongside the road. They get in the way of the golf carts that need to enter the automobile road to go by them. Dangerous for all!! Multi model path is much safer for bikes.