Is it safe to ride a bicycle on the multi-modal paths? Is it safe to ride a bicycle on the multi-modal paths? - Page 4 - Talk of The Villages Florida

Is it safe to ride a bicycle on the multi-modal paths?

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  #46  
Old 11-26-2023, 07:58 AM
ChicagoNative ChicagoNative is offline
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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.
  #47  
Old 11-26-2023, 08:10 AM
Mlundberg Mlundberg is offline
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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.
  #48  
Old 11-26-2023, 08:12 AM
Kingsport Kingsport is offline
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Default 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.
  #49  
Old 11-26-2023, 08:16 AM
Fastskiguy Fastskiguy is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ElDiabloJoe View Post
Hypocrisy is a funny thing.

When I was on marathon training runs many cyclists would pass me within inches pretending they were Lance Armstrong. Usually pelotons of these wanna-be's. So, when I started "taking the lane" by extending my elbows and arms as they approached, all of a sudden they would get all upset with me. Some even stopped to try to pick fights. Of course, they had trouble unclipping their ballerina shoes from their pedals, but try thet did.

So, taking the lane is very cyclist popular - when THEY are the ones taking the lane. They don't seem to like it much when others do it to them in order to protect my safety. Cyclists are correct, they suffer the most when colliding with cars or golf carts. However, pedestrians suffer the most when colliding with cyclists zipping around at 25+mph especially with their mass and that of their bike. So who is most entitled to take the lane?
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
  #50  
Old 11-26-2023, 08:21 AM
Fastskiguy Fastskiguy is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Mlundberg View Post
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.
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
  #51  
Old 11-26-2023, 08:28 AM
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Originally Posted by Michael 61 View Post
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.
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.
  #52  
Old 11-26-2023, 08:35 AM
airstreamingypsy airstreamingypsy is offline
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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.....
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  #53  
Old 11-26-2023, 08:38 AM
garykoca427@gmail.com garykoca427@gmail.com is offline
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Default Bicycle

What I do is wear a helmet and ride the internal streets in my neighborhood.
  #54  
Old 11-26-2023, 08:40 AM
SHIBUMI SHIBUMI is offline
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Smile Just stay alert!

/Users/richardiwaszko/Desktop/near collision.MP4




Quote:
Originally Posted by Michael 61 View Post
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.
  #55  
Old 11-26-2023, 08:43 AM
SHIBUMI SHIBUMI is offline
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Smile 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



Quote:
Originally Posted by Michael 61 View Post
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.
  #56  
Old 11-26-2023, 08:59 AM
sowilts sowilts is offline
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Originally Posted by asianthree View Post
You have two options first you can ride the roads doing 16 miles an hour while cars drive 30 to 60 miles an hour,(that on Meggison)

Or one can ride the internal streets your neighborhood feel a little safer, especially early in the morning, and on the weekends.

I also strongly suggest you wear a GoPro, that way if there should be any incidents, it can be recorded.

Plus later in the day you can review those who live in your neighborhood that drive like a crazy person.
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.
  #57  
Old 11-26-2023, 09:02 AM
Davonu Davonu is offline
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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.

Last edited by Davonu; 11-26-2023 at 02:14 PM.
  #58  
Old 11-26-2023, 09:11 AM
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Originally Posted by Smalley View Post
As a longtime cyclist, TV is the safest place I've riden. In Virginia we were riding with vehicular traffic on busy roads. On the bike paths there, (no golf carts) there were plenty of near-misses and collisions. Wear a helmet, get lights on your bike for the low light times of day and be careful out there! The benefits outweigh the risks. Exercise is hugely important for our health!
Well said

Last edited by MX rider; 11-26-2023 at 09:27 AM.
  #59  
Old 11-26-2023, 09:13 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Smalley View Post
As a longtime cyclist, TV is the safest place I've riden. In Virginia we were riding with vehicular traffic on busy roads. On the bike paths there, (no golf carts) there were plenty of near-misses and collisions. Wear a helmet, get lights on your bike for the low light times of day and be careful out there! The benefits outweigh the risks. Exercise is hugely important for our health!
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

Last edited by MX rider; 11-26-2023 at 09:26 AM.
  #60  
Old 11-26-2023, 09:51 AM
ElDiabloJoe ElDiabloJoe is offline
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Originally Posted by Fastskiguy View Post
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
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.
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