I agree that bike riding along with golf carts can be dangerous. However, it is less dangerous than driving on the streets along with automobiles. I carry a police whistle when I bike primarily to alert pedestrians who are so involved with dogs and cell phones that they are oblivious to all else.

Just what we need to read a bunch of tour Lafrance people that think they entitled to the road and complain about everyone else’s driving but their own.

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.

Bike riding (actually, trike riding) in TV is a LOT safer than on the country roads in our previous "sleepy" little suburban village up north.

My wife and I ride the MMPs everyday, but we are very cautious and take precautions. We always ride with flashing lights and mirrors. We keep constantly aware of approaching golf carts from either direction. We are NOT fans of "take the lane" and can't ride fast enough to outrun any cart. (No, we won't use electrics either; we're out there for the exercise, not for racing along letting the machine do the work.) On occasion, esp on divided MMPs, we'll drop one wheel of the trike off into the grass to give a cart room to pass. On bridges, we stay as far right as possible for the same reason.

Yet, we still find cart drivers in so much of a hurry that they'll risk a head on collision on a bridge to pass us. (You idiots know who you are, 3 in a row, a week ago Wednesday morning, southbound on the Chitty Chatty bridge.) One almost won a Darwin award and tried to take me along with him!

Fortunately, trikes give us a lot more stability than the rider of a 2-wheeler who might be easily bumped and crash.

CAUTION is the operative word. In the morning, we are cautious of those who started too late to ensure adequate time to get to their tee-times. In the afternoon we are cautious of those who are so intoxicated they have to have their wives drive.

But, we won't stop riding because even with all the idiot cart drivers, it's safer than any place else we've ever ridden.

I ride 10-12,000 miles per year. I ride so much my bike gets covered in a black oily soot from golf cart exhaust. It's such good exercise I certainly would not advise you not to ride a bike, but there are risks.

Probably 95% of the golf cart drivers are careful, thoughtful, and safe to ride near. 2-3% perhaps mean well, but frankly are just not that good at driving. That last 2% should be banned from ever being able to drive a golf cart because they are accidents waiting to happen. They are reckless, thoughtless, and frequently think they are the sole owner of the path. I have seen some hair curling examples of things these jerks will do.

Some tips:

First, consider riding neighborhood streets that do not get a lot of through traffic. I combine these with the multimodal paths. The neighborhoods I go into offer some pretty safe riding.

As you approach blind corners, listen for carts and have your hands on your brakes. There are a number of golf cart drivers who have no concept of lanes and they will cut the corners and meet you head-on.

If you are on a multimodal path that runs along a golf course, be very aware of traffic that may be coming off the course. Some of those drivers are more into their game than driving and they will pull onto the multimodal path without even looking.

Paths that are split into two one-ways can be a challenge. As I get near entering one of these I look behind me to see if carts are approaching from behind. If so, I pull over and stop and let them past. Once on the path, I take up my full lane. I used to ride as tight to the right side as possible to let people pass me in the single lane. Not anymore, some golf cart drivers will breeze past with just a one-foot clearance. If it's a long lane and I have a place to ride off the trail to let them pass me, I will.

Absolutely, positively, ride with a mirror. Some riders don't and I think that's risky as heck. You need to see what's coming behind you. There are some very good ones that install easily on almost any bike.

If you ride after dark or even near dawn or dusk, have a good flashing taillight and a bright headlight. Being seen is important.

Don't let this scare you away from biking. Just be heads-up about it.

Common sense and common courtesy, neither of which are common, would go a long way for all involved.

We all know everyone has their “rights”, but it amazes me that there are still those walkers who Will. Not. Move. off the path to let bikes or carts pass when they have plenty of room to do so.

Cyclists do the same. I saw a large group of cyclists about a month ago. Several were wearing shirts that read “Same Rules, Same Rights”. I giggled to myself as they blew through the next stop sign they came upon.

Carts aren’t blameless either. I’ve seen carts that buzz cyclists and hikers. It’s frustrating to get behind slow hikers and cyclers, but it’s a fact of life using the paths along Buena Vista and Morse. At least in the new southern areas they’ve recognized the issue and made a lot of separate paths for bikers/hikers. It’d be nice if that could be done from the Springs down to Brownwood.

I put a bike rack on my car on go to the public trails in Santos, Inverness, and Clermont. These trails are long, beautiful, and paved. They are designed for bikes. MMPs are ruled by golf cars and dangerous for bikers.

E-bikes are perfect for Multi-Modals
 

Riding the multi-modals on a regular bike can be unnerving. My solution was to purchase a fat-tire e-bike. The amount of power assistance can be adjusted on the fly to get the level of workout you want. The benefit is that you can go as fast as the carts. You don’t get passed. I tend to get behind a cart or carts and follow along as a respectful distance. Then, you are too large a block to be passed anyway. Brownwood cycles will let you try one to test it out. A good e-bike can go in the neighborhood of 30mph if you really want to. They are quite comfortable in the low 20mph range.

Aside from that, a general rule of thumb when cycling is NOT to ride too close to the edge of the road or trail. It makes sure cars have to go around you and leaves you room if they pass too closely. If you have to leave the trail, fat tires are more stable. Of course, get flashing lights for front and back and a mirror and helmet. Spend a good amount of time in a quiet place practicing so you are familiar with the controls and how to adjust your speed.

Just curious...were you running on the right or left side of the path? Were the bikes passing on you right shoulder or left shoulder?

Joe

100%, we load up the bikes and head over to one of these places too. Santos has a meandering paved trail thru the forest, 16 miles long with just two road crossings and it's empty all week long.

31.9 mi Mountain Bike Ride on November 21, 2023 by Joseph F on Strava

The other thing I'd add is that being able to keep up with the flow of golf car traffic helps a lot so ebikes at 20-22mph can be safer than analog bikes at 12mph.

Joe

I ride bike on the them. I don't have a golf cart so it's my primary means of transportation besides my car. I really like the idea of a GoPro as someone mentioned, never thought of that.

I never used to wear a helmet riding bike but I do now. I have a rearview mirror so I can see when golf carts are coming up behind me. I also have LED lights on front and back that flash so golf cart drivers are more likely to see me. You definitely need to be a defensive biker because some golf cart drivers, maybe even many, are driving distracted in some way or another. Watch blind corners, the natural tendency of people is to move towards the center of the path or hug the inside of a corner. If they're coming the opposite direction from you that could be a head on collision. I've also had people try to pass me on blind corners, but that's probably more dangerous for them than it is for me. I think the time of day makes a difference too. Experiment with it.

Oh, and slightly off-topic, there is an free app called Gaia GPS which is great for bike riding because it tracks everywhere you've been, tells you how long you've been riding and the distance you've ridden. You can even save the routes you've traveled and use them to navigate later. It's an awesome app. I normally use it for riding my ATV in Ocala national forest so I don't get lost but it works great for bicycling to. Also, There's a company named Quad lock that makes a great and very secure phone mount. It's a little pricey and you have to buy a special case, but they're fantastic. The phone will not fall off, even if you crash or your bike falls over. I bought it for my ATV first and my phone never once flinched, and I ride pretty hard. I ended up buying the compatible mounts for my car and bike so I only needed one case. Edit: I just saw that quad lock has most of their stuff 30% off right now for Black Friday sales

Bottom line is that I feel reasonably safe riding the trails as long as I am paying close attention to what's going on around me.

I have a friend, who moved to TV because he's an avid bicyclist. Since moving here and joining bike clubs, and making friends, he has lost some because of drivers who have aimed or killed them. The thrill is gone for him, he hasn't ridden in months. He says it's just too dangerous. If you want to ride, better to go to the trail in Inverness, or Santos in Ocala.....

Bicycle
 

What I do is wear a helmet and ride the internal streets in my neighborhood.

Just stay alert!
 

/Users/richardiwaszko/Desktop/near collision.MP4

And keep an eye on the weather !
 

You will find safe paths if you look and keep an eye on the weather. Bikes way to go......do 20 miles 6 days a week...sweet





/Users/richardiwaszko/Desktop/Rainy Day.mp4

It must be a challenge to get out of bed if that stops one from doing what they enjoy. I ride on the cart paths and pay close attention to my surroundings. Correct there are better times to ride. If one enjoys early morning rides or walks, there are fantastic led lights available. You must be seen to be seen. Sometimes i ride my bike too fast and have to be careful around tight curves and slow down. And slow down for walkers no matter which side of the path they choose. It only takes 10 seconds to let them have a safe journey. Enjoy what one likes to do and enjoy riding as I always do. A gentleman at Linden rides the path by the retention pond and takes a loop around neighborhood streets for 30 minutes or more every day. He is always enjoying his rides.

I feel very safe on the MMP and diamond lanes. The key is anticipating when any carts will be in your vicinity and present them with an easy pass. Try to avoid being on a split section of the path when a cart approaches. And I ride a hybrid bicycle so I can pull onto the grass anytime I feel like it might be necessary. I feel much more in control of my own safety on the MMP than riding on the street. I do not like being constantly passed by cars going 45-50 mph or more. No amount of caution can save you if one of those cars makes a big mistake.

Well said

Both good comments here.

My wife and I are mountain bikers but we ride the MM path often. We wear helmets and have mirrors on our bikes. For the most part people are courtious, but you have to be aware.
When we come to the split lanes where there's a median we ride in the middle to avoid being passed in such a tight area. Every once in a while it p*sses somebody off but that's rare.

We have no interest in riding on the road. I still ride motocross, so I'm not risk averse, but riding on the road is too sketchy for me. Even back in Indiana.

All that said we mainly ride on the east side between the 466 and 466A

Usually on the left side of the path - against traffic. Sometimes on the right, - with traffic, usually on the long straight paths that are ocean-front beach paths in So Cal.

Really, I ran on either depending on location.

Beachfront paths make for great training runs because they are very long (10 to 20 miles) and you can focus on your breathing pattern, hydration strategies, and pace rather than negotiating curbs and intersections.

Yes, MMP is safe
 

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.

Multi-Modal
 

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!

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.

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.

Depends on Your Experience Level
 

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.

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.

Answer
 

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

If you do I would wear a body cam

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 ~

Bike riding
 

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.

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.

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?

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.

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.

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