[Arrowman]

I little background. I live in the south end of The Villages for five years. My in-laws moved here 35 years ago. We have been visiting The Villages on and off during that time. I have seen the changes. I've been thinking about our multi-mudal paths and walking and cycling trails lately, and I wanted to share something that I think is important.

One of the things I love about living in The Villages is how much we get outside. We walk, ride bikes, walk dogs, meet friends, get some exercise, and enjoy the Florida weather. We have an incredible system of paths that gives us the opportunity to do all of that.

But with so many people using them, I think we sometimes forget one very important thing: Safety is everyone's responsibility.

I'm not writing this to criticize anyone or point fingers. I've certainly made mistakes myself. I'm just thinking that is all of us paid a little more attention to what is happening around us, these paths would be safer and more enjoyable for everybody.

When we're walking , let's be aware of where we're walking and what's happening around us. When we're on a roadway, pedestrians should walk facing traffic. When riding, especially when the paths are busy, riding single file gives everyone a much better chance of getting by safely.

The same goes for our dogs. They're part of our families, and most of them are wonderful, but they're still animals. Keeping them on a leash no longer than six feet gives us much more control when a bicycle, another dog, or someone walking comes along.

And then there are those moments when we run into someone we haven't seen in a while. It's great! Stop and talk. That's part of what makes The Villages such a nice place to live. But maybe step off to the side instead of Standing in the middle of the path. The same thing goes for a phone conversation. If you need to stop and talk, simply step onto the grass or off the pathway for a minute.

It's really about being aware.

Before we stop, turn, pass, walk three or four people across, or pick up the speed on an e-bike, take a second and look around. Someone may be coming up behind you. Someone may not hear you coming. Someone may simply be moving at a different pace than you are.

And if you're riding an e-bike remember that you have a motor. You can cover a lot of ground very quickly. That doesn't mean you shouldn't enjoy the ride--it just means that a little extra awareness and a safe speed can make a big difference, especially around pedestrians and crowded paths.

I also think we need to remember something about (common sense and courtesy).

None of us owns these paths.

Sometimes we may have to slow down. Sometimes we may have to wait a few seconds. Sometimes someone else may make a mistake. Maybe they didn't see us. Maybe they didn't know they were in the way.

That's okay.

We don't have to be stubborn about every little thing. We don't have to prove that we're right. We can simply slow down, give each other some room, and keep moving.

After all, we're neighbors.

One of the things I really enjoy about The Villages is that you can pass someone you've never met, smile and say, "Good morning,"and they smile back. That's a pretty good way to live.

So maybe the answer isn't more rules or more complaining. Maybe it's just more awareness, and more patience, and a little more consideration for the people around us.

We're all out there trying to enjoy life. And the truth is, life is pretty good--but it's also pretty short.

I'd much rather slow down for ten seconds, let someone pass safely, smile at a stranger, and get home safely than have one carless moment change someone's life forever.

Safety isn't just the responsibility of walkers, or cyclist, or dog owners, or e-bike riders. It's all of ours.

Let's look out for one another. Let's use a little common sence. Let's give each other some space. And most importantly, let's keep doing what we came here to do--enjoy life.

I love to take walks and I love to cycle. I've always wanted to share my thoughts on this. So if your near The Sawgrass area and see a guy on a blue Trek gravel bike smile and say hello. Love to hear your thought on this.

[HellToupee]

I always appreciate e-bikers who let me know they are passing when we are walking our dog or just walking on the paths

[tophcfa]

Originally Posted by HellToupee

I always appreciate e-bikers who let me know they are passing when we are walking our dog or just walking on the paths

Agree, and I always appreciate walkers who are paying attention to their surroundings, walking single file, and aren’t listening to something on their earbuds so they can hear approaching bicycles letting them know they are passing.

[Taltarzac725]

Originally Posted by Arrowman

I little background. I live in the south end of The Villages for five years. My in-laws moved here 35 years ago. We have been visiting The Villages on and off during that time. I have seen the changes. I've been thinking about our multi-mudal paths and walking and cycling trails lately, and I wanted to share something that I think is important.

One of the things I love about living in The Villages is how much we get outside. We walk, ride bikes, walk dogs, meet friends, get some exercise, and enjoy the Florida weather. We have an incredible system of paths that gives us the opportunity to do all of that.

But with so many people using them, I think we sometimes forget one very important thing: Safety is everyone's responsibility.

I'm not writing this to criticize anyone or point fingers. I've certainly made mistakes myself. I'm just thinking that is all of us paid a little more attention to what is happening around us, these paths would be safer and more enjoyable for everybody.

When we're walking , let's be aware of where we're walking and what's happening around us. When we're on a roadway, pedestrians should walk facing traffic. When riding, especially when the paths are busy, riding single file gives everyone a much better chance of getting by safely.

The same goes for our dogs. They're part of our families, and most of them are wonderful, but they're still animals. Keeping them on a leash no longer than six feet gives us much more control when a bicycle, another dog, or someone walking comes along.

And then there are those moments when we run into someone we haven't seen in a while. It's great! Stop and talk. That's part of what makes The Villages such a nice place to live. But maybe step off to the side instead of Standing in the middle of the path. The same thing goes for a phone conversation. If you need to stop and talk, simply step onto the grass or off the pathway for a minute.

It's really about being aware.

Before we stop, turn, pass, walk three or four people across, or pick up the speed on an e-bike, take a second and look around. Someone may be coming up behind you. Someone may not hear you coming. Someone may simply be moving at a different pace than you are.

And if you're riding an e-bike remember that you have a motor. You can cover a lot of ground very quickly. That doesn't mean you shouldn't enjoy the ride--it just means that a little extra awareness and a safe speed can make a big difference, especially around pedestrians and crowded paths.

I also think we need to remember something about (common sense and courtesy).

None of us owns these paths.

Sometimes we may have to slow down. Sometimes we may have to wait a few seconds. Sometimes someone else may make a mistake. Maybe they didn't see us. Maybe they didn't know they were in the way.

That's okay.

We don't have to be stubborn about every little thing. We don't have to prove that we're right. We can simply slow down, give each other some room, and keep moving.

After all, we're neighbors.

One of the things I really enjoy about The Villages is that you can pass someone you've never met, smile and say, "Good morning,"and they smile back. That's a pretty good way to live.

So maybe the answer isn't more rules or more complaining. Maybe it's just more awareness, and more patience, and a little more consideration for the people around us.

We're all out there trying to enjoy life. And the truth is, life is pretty good--but it's also pretty short.

I'd much rather slow down for ten seconds, let someone pass safely, smile at a stranger, and get home safely than have one carless moment change someone's life forever.

Safety isn't just the responsibility of walkers, or cyclist, or dog owners, or e-bike riders. It's all of ours.

Let's look out for one another. Let's use a little common sence. Let's give each other some space. And most importantly, let's keep doing what we came here to do--enjoy life.

I love to take walks and I love to cycle. I've always wanted to share my thoughts on this. So if your near The Sawgrass area and see a guy on a blue Trek gravel bike smile and say hello. Love to hear your thought on this.

Thanks for starting this thread. We have been here since June of 2005 and have seen all kinds of changes. They all involve a lot more people being around with more traffic as well in many areas.

[billlaur]

And thank u for all being so nice and kind.what a great world we live in..

[asianthree]

Great post, and common sense for the most part, works for many residents. However every day 5am way before the crack of dawn, some people are walking in the streets wearing All Black clothes.

We have lived in 5 different villages and each area continues to have residents with zero common sense. Walking predawn with or without dog, usually 3+ feet from the curb, with expanded leash, with zero light or reflective protection

[ThirdOfFive]

Originally Posted by Arrowman

I little background. I live in the south end of The Villages for five years. My in-laws moved here 35 years ago. We have been visiting The Villages on and off during that time. I have seen the changes. I've been thinking about our multi-mudal paths and walking and cycling trails lately, and I wanted to share something that I think is important.

One of the things I love about living in The Villages is how much we get outside. We walk, ride bikes, walk dogs, meet friends, get some exercise, and enjoy the Florida weather. We have an incredible system of paths that gives us the opportunity to do all of that.

But with so many people using them, I think we sometimes forget one very important thing: Safety is everyone's responsibility.

I'm not writing this to criticize anyone or point fingers. I've certainly made mistakes myself. I'm just thinking that is all of us paid a little more attention to what is happening around us, these paths would be safer and more enjoyable for everybody.

When we're walking , let's be aware of where we're walking and what's happening around us. When we're on a roadway, pedestrians should walk facing traffic. When riding, especially when the paths are busy, riding single file gives everyone a much better chance of getting by safely.

The same goes for our dogs. They're part of our families, and most of them are wonderful, but they're still animals. Keeping them on a leash no longer than six feet gives us much more control when a bicycle, another dog, or someone walking comes along.

And then there are those moments when we run into someone we haven't seen in a while. It's great! Stop and talk. That's part of what makes The Villages such a nice place to live. But maybe step off to the side instead of Standing in the middle of the path. The same thing goes for a phone conversation. If you need to stop and talk, simply step onto the grass or off the pathway for a minute.

It's really about being aware.

Before we stop, turn, pass, walk three or four people across, or pick up the speed on an e-bike, take a second and look around. Someone may be coming up behind you. Someone may not hear you coming. Someone may simply be moving at a different pace than you are.

And if you're riding an e-bike remember that you have a motor. You can cover a lot of ground very quickly. That doesn't mean you shouldn't enjoy the ride--it just means that a little extra awareness and a safe speed can make a big difference, especially around pedestrians and crowded paths.

I also think we need to remember something about (common sense and courtesy).

None of us owns these paths.

Sometimes we may have to slow down. Sometimes we may have to wait a few seconds. Sometimes someone else may make a mistake. Maybe they didn't see us. Maybe they didn't know they were in the way.

That's okay.

We don't have to be stubborn about every little thing. We don't have to prove that we're right. We can simply slow down, give each other some room, and keep moving.

After all, we're neighbors.

One of the things I really enjoy about The Villages is that you can pass someone you've never met, smile and say, "Good morning,"and they smile back. That's a pretty good way to live.

So maybe the answer isn't more rules or more complaining. Maybe it's just more awareness, and more patience, and a little more consideration for the people around us.

We're all out there trying to enjoy life. And the truth is, life is pretty good--but it's also pretty short.

I'd much rather slow down for ten seconds, let someone pass safely, smile at a stranger, and get home safely than have one carless moment change someone's life forever.

Safety isn't just the responsibility of walkers, or cyclist, or dog owners, or e-bike riders. It's all of ours.

Let's look out for one another. Let's use a little common sence. Let's give each other some space. And most importantly, let's keep doing what we came here to do--enjoy life.

I love to take walks and I love to cycle. I've always wanted to share my thoughts on this. So if your near The Sawgrass area and see a guy on a blue Trek gravel bike smile and say hello. Love to hear your thought on this.

Excellent post. I've always maintained that I've never had to pay a price for being courteous.

We are a "village" of 150,000 ++ people, most retired, most set in their ways. One thing I've learned in my years living in The Villages is that people don't change when they move here...we have our share of F.O.P.s, both genders, who were used to getting their ways back in the world. They don't instantly (if ever) become kindly old rocking-chair - inhabiting grandfatherly types or tea-sipping, doily-knitting grannies the minute their address changes to The Villages. They remain, to a greater or lesser extent, what they were before retirement. Mostly, that's great. Sometimes, it isn't.

But...and I've always been a firm believer in this...the reason that the times when "it isn't" gets talked about, or unfortunately makes news, is because those instances are so rare. If they were common nobody would give them a second thought. Most people here ARE folks who do what the OP suggests they do. Yes...the jackasses exist--to whatever degree--but they're far outnumbered. We're overwhelmingly living among folks who are here to enjoy the years they have left in the positive company of their neighbors and co-Villagers. We should be happy about that.

[JRcorvette]

Originally Posted by HellToupee

I always appreciate e-bikers who let me know they are passing when we are walking our dog or just walking on the paths

If I am in a motorized vehicle and I see someone walking (especially with a dog) I always swing wide. You don’t know if they see you or hear you coming and some dogs like to chase vehicles!