[Gidget254]

Any tips or words of wisdom for those who plan to do a lot of bike riding in TV, as far as sharing the paths with carts? I am not a serious "cyclist" but just an "old lady" (LOL) who plans to ride my bike a lot when I move to TV in a few months, but I am a little nervous about sharing the paths - I don't want to get in anyone's way, etc. Any tips or words of wisdom appreciated! Am I silly for being worried?

[BarryRX]

Originally Posted by Gidget254

Any tips or words of wisdom for those who plan to do a lot of bike riding in TV, as far as sharing the paths with carts? I am not a serious "cyclist" but just an "old lady" (LOL) who plans to ride my bike a lot when I move to TV in a few months, but I am a little nervous about sharing the paths - I don't want to get in anyone's way, etc. Any tips or words of wisdom appreciated! Am I silly for being worried?

The paths are for your enjoyment whether you are in a golf cart, walking, biking, rollerblading, etc. if others become irritated because they have to wait a few seconds to pass you safely, that's their problem. Just ride safely, keep to the right, and enjoy our beautiful scenery.

[Chazz]

Just afford basic courtesy to other users and hope for return of the same. You will enjoy riding in TV and most of your encounters with carts, walkers and other cyclists will be very cordial and pleasant. Remember to follow the good riding principles and rules of the road (e.g.observe street signs and traffic lights) and you will rarely have a problem. The Villages is as close as I know to a community that is a cyclists' paradise.

[mickey100]

Actually they are technically not cart paths, they are recreational trails. Walkers, cyclists and carts have equal use of the space. Don't be intimidated by the carts when you're out biking. You have just as much a right to be there as they do. As others have said, just stay to the right, let them pass if need be, and you will be fine. Enjoy!

[Phanatic Luvr]

Invest in a rear view mirror to see what is coming up behind you.

[bike42]

Originally Posted by Phanatic Luvr

Invest in a rear view mirror to see what is coming up behind you.

DEFINITELY do this, a rear view mirror is incredibly helpful for all cyclists.

And WEAR A HELMET, even though you are not a "serious cyclist." I'm shocked by the number of cyclists I see without helmets. One fall can make you a vegetable.

[cquick]

I know we commonly call them "golf cart paths".

Please remember they are called MULTI-MODAL paths, meaning they are to be shared by walkers, joggers, bikers, wheelchairs, golf carts.

[Dr Winston O Boogie jr]

Originally Posted by Phanatic Luvr

Invest in a rear view mirror to see what is coming up behind you.

Definitely. This is the most important thing that you can do.

[Advogado]

Originally Posted by Gidget254

Any tips or words of wisdom for those who plan to do a lot of bike riding in TV, as far as sharing the paths with carts? I am not a serious "cyclist" but just an "old lady" (LOL) who plans to ride my bike a lot when I move to TV in a few months, but I am a little nervous about sharing the paths - I don't want to get in anyone's way, etc. Any tips or words of wisdom appreciated! Am I silly for being worried?

Your are not silly. As a sometime cyclist, my advice to you is: Be careful. Be very very careful. A significant number of the golf cart drivers forget that the path is multimodal and do not give cyclists a safe amount of room.

The most dangerous sections are the traffic islands where the path splits into separate lanes. The single lane is not wide enough for a golf cart to safely pass a cyclist, so you have to seize the lane by riding in the middle, otherwise, you almost certainly will get passed. If you happen to accidentally veer or fall at that point, you are dead or badly hurt. (Of course, if you are approaching a single lane, you want to waive by you any carts that are coming up behind you so that you don't unnecessarily hold them up.)

[Gidget254]

Thank you, all! This insight is great. Never would have thought of a rear view mirror - I'll definitely invest in one. And helmet, always. Thank you, thank you for your guidance and expertise.

[redwitch]

I used to be an avid cyclist. I no longer ride but I still have deep sympathies for those who do.

There are too many folks here who think the multi-modal paths are for golf carts and try to bully anyone other mode of transportation on them. Sadly, if I were riding a bike here, you couldn't pay me to be on the paths, at least not the ones that are not a lane on a street. I just wouldn't feel safe. And, yes, it is strange (and sad) to say I think I'm safer sharing the road with cars than I am with golf carts.

Since you're going to be a casual rider, you can always make your route to suit you. I think you'll find just riding around neighborhoods is a lot of fun and pretty safe most of the time.

Have fun! Bike riding can be a great joy, even here.

[Dr Winston O Boogie jr]

Originally Posted by Advogado

Your are not silly. As a sometime cyclist, my advice to you is: Be careful. Be very very careful. A significant number of the golf cart drivers forget that the path is multimodal and do not give cyclists a safe amount of room.

The most dangerous sections are the traffic islands where the path splits into separate lanes. The single lane is not wide enough for a golf cart to safely pass a cyclist, so you have to seize the lane by riding in the middle, otherwise, you almost certainly will get passed. If you happen to accidentally veer or fall at that point, you are dead or badly hurt. (Of course, if you are approaching a single lane, you want to waive by you any carts that are coming up behind you so that you don't unnecessarily hold them up.)

This is also excellent advice. As a cyclist and a golf cart driver, I get very frustrated when someone on a bicycle refuses to allow me to pass. When I am on my bike and a golf cart comes up behind me, I move over and wave them through. Of course this can't be done everywhere, but I'll wave them on as soon as it is safe to do so.
It's a lot like people who want to drive slower than the rest of the traffic in the left hand lane.

[Warren Kiefer]

Originally Posted by Gidget254

Thank you, all! This insight is great. Never would have thought of a rear view mirror - I'll definitely invest in one. And helmet, always. Thank you, thank you for your guidance and expertise.

I always use a rear view mirror. Great advise... And as with any community this large you will find those that will be discourteous to bikers. I have nearly been side swiped, and yelled at by cart drivers more than a few times. My solution was to find a route thru the quiet neighborhoods. There are paths that I will always avoid, it was my experience that along the Buena Vista and El Camino paths you will find the most aggressive cart operators. I am not familiar with the paths south of 466 but assume many are similiar to those I named. Why is this so?, I believe it is because on these two paths, the drivers are well aware that they cannot be ticketed for speeding in their golf carts.

[billethkid]

you will of course be going with the traffic flow. Keep to the right and don't wander around. Don't try to control that which you have no control over...like the speed of what everis behind you or if they have room to pass or will they pass, etc.

You stay to the right those behind you are the only ones who can make what they want to do next, happen.

The recreational paths are sufficiently wide enough for a cart passing a bicycle in each direction at the same spot......I find most folks in TV have a very poor perception of how wide what ever they are driving is, hence they tend to think they need way more room. Add to this the fact there are some who cannot see very well. And be prepared to take action if you have to.

Enjoy your outing by doing what is right and couteous and MOST others using the trails will as well.

Please allow for the crank, the nasty and the ever present transplant who thinks they have to go faster than everybody or everything to get to where ever they are hurrying to to get their geritrol.

And for the rare one that may have a vocalization, a kind smile and a "same to you" drives 'em bonkers.

I know I am out there every morning for over an hour walk and over a 10 year period have seen it and heard it all. The scariest of them all are the ones that "look" like they are coming right at you and then at the last second jerk the wheel usually saying...I AM SO SORRY I DIDN'T SEE YOU.....because they did not see until they are on top of the person in front of their bumper.

Good luck.

btk

[Chazz]

Just thought of one more suggestion. I recommend that you get the most powerful taillight that you can afford, to increase your visibility while riding. It should be set to flash mode to further get attention.