[jimmy o]

I've been riding bicycles since four years old. Never had a trike I started right into 2 wheeling at 4yrs old. Also did marathons and stunt riding. Since moving to TV I decided to give it up. I'm sure I could handle nearly any dangerous instance that might arise, but that one small chance of accident is too much now. I'm 72 years old and any accident recovery would be way more devastating than the exercise benefit and fun factor riding my bike gives me. Just too many slow reflexes here to make biking safe enough. I've hung up my wheels and totally enjoy tooling around in my golf cart. Good luck with whatever you decide.

[Fastskiguy]

Originally Posted by Regorp

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.

With respect, those are the safest places to ride. The long runs on marsh bend, south meggasin, pinellas, hillsborough, and the Moyer loop are the best. It does require carts to actually make a genuine pass….which is a good thing vs sneaking by in a tight spot. E bikes make passing less of an issue. Surely the burden of safely passing a bike isn’t too much?

[mtdjed]

Another danger for bikers is that sometimes golfcarts stop for pedestrians and stop signs. This could be a hazard to many bike riders who seldom stop.

[westernrider75]

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.

No reason to be looking over your shoulder on the Hogeye, walkers should be walking on the left facing traffic, then you would see bikes coming towards you. Walkers on the wrong side are a big problem for bikers who are following the rules.

[drdoug59]

I find e-bike, which are really motor scooters to be the most dangerous. How do they consider it exercise when they have an electric motor and don’t get their heart rate up

[BigSteph]

Originally Posted by drdoug59

I find e-bike, which are really motor scooters to be the most dangerous. How do they consider it exercise when they have an electric motor and don’t get their heart rate up

My E-bike goes 28 mph, but not one mile on its own. It has no throttle. It requires you to pedal for it assist at all. There are more types than you mention.

[Flyers999]

Originally Posted by jimmy o

I've been riding bicycles since four years old. Never had a trike I started right into 2 wheeling at 4yrs old. Also did marathons and stunt riding. Since moving to TV I decided to give it up. I'm sure I could handle nearly any dangerous instance that might arise, but that one small chance of accident is too much now. I'm 72 years old and any accident recovery would be way more devastating than the exercise benefit and fun factor riding my bike gives me. Just too many slow reflexes here to make biking safe enough. I've hung up my wheels and totally enjoy tooling around in my golf cart. Good luck with whatever you decide.

How's the battle of your bulge coming along?

[mikeycereal]

Been living in the villages since 5/22 and walk the neighborhood streets and paths and golf cart on the MMP. Here's what I would do or wouldn't do. I wouldn't walk on the MMP. Too many fast carts flying through. It's too risky to walk the MMP having faith and trust in cart drivers. If I rode a bike I would be wary of both cart drivers and walkers. Golf cart drivers, myself included, will always try to go around a walker or bike rider. Our goal is always to get around a biker or walker so we can go our preferred speed and not theirs. Some drivers are more impatient than others and may take more chances passing. Saw one cart driver on the Brownwood bridge make an incredibly stupid move to get around a slower bike rider. He came too close to another cart coming the opposite way. When I walk the pond paths I always keep on 1 side, I would never walk directly in the middle because of bike riders. Facing a certain way is not always what you think, since the paths go both ways. For neighborhood roads I prefer to walk facing traffic. I don't know why some walkers don't and then I end up having to cross to the other side with my back to traffic.

[Fastskiguy]

Originally Posted by drdoug59

I find e-bike, which are really motor scooters to be the most dangerous. How do they consider it exercise when they have an electric motor and don’t get their heart rate up

You really should try one, they're really fun and you get some exercise too

[Bay Kid]

I ride my bike on a trainer on my lanai. Much safer. Small gripe but bikers need to stop at stop signs.

[charlieo1126@gmail.com]

There are many people on here worried about what will happen if they ride a bike .and others telling bikers what’s going to happen to them , I try to follow many of the teachings of the Buddha here’s a quote I’ve always strived to live with “The secret of health for both mind and body is not to mourn for the past,worry about the future or anticipate trouble . But to live in the present moment wisely and earnestly . At the age of 85 it keeps making more and more sense , get out there live your life go where you want to go and do it now

[tophcfa]

Originally Posted by drdoug59

I find e-bike, which are really motor scooters to be the most dangerous. How do they consider it exercise when they have an electric motor and don’t get their heart rate up

We have both e bikes and traditional bikes. The e bikes don’t have a throttle and are pedal assist only. The assist from the motor can be set anywhere from zero to turbo at 5% increments. No doubt the traditional bikes give the rider a better workout, but as we age eventually it will become increasingly difficult for us to ride a traditional bike. The e bikes will keep us riding much longer in life and can still give the rider a good workout. Obviously, a lesser workout is still way better than no workout at all. Even though we are still very capable of riding our traditional bikes on the flatlands of Florida, our e bikes are becoming increasingly necessary for us to ride in the very hilly terrain around our northern home. Ride On : )

[Berferful]

After reading all of the posts on this thread, I’m re-thinking sending my bike down. We’ll be down at the Villages renting Jan.- Mar. and I’m thinking that for the amount of riding I do, and the chaos on the MMP, I’d be better off leaving the bike home.

[charlieo1126@gmail.com]

Originally Posted by Berferful

After reading all of the posts on this thread, I’m re-thinking sending my bike down. We’ll be down at the Villages renting Jan.- Mar. and I’m thinking that for the amount of riding I do, and the chaos on the MMP, I’d be better off leaving the bike home.

please take your bike ,do not pay attention to the complainers most have some kind of an agenda either for the bikes or against them , it’s the safest place I’ve ever ridden a bike

[Davonu]

Originally Posted by charlieo1126@gmail.com

please take your bike ,do not pay attention to the complainers most have some kind of an agenda either for the bikes or against them , it’s the safest place I’ve ever ridden a bike

I second this post. The MMP’s are also the safest place I’ve ever ridden my bike.