[VApeople]

Originally Posted by Laker14

Wouldn't it be easier and safer just to walk on the left, facing oncoming bicycles ?

It would not be easier or safer to walk on the left. The bikes often ride in the left lane and there would be a greater chance of a bike coming up behind us.

[margaretmattson]

Originally Posted by VApeople

It would not be easier or safer to walk on the left. The bikes often ride in the left lane and there would be a greater chance of a bike coming up behind us.

Marking the trails with signage is the best solution

[mikeycereal]

I just walk on the opposite side of oncoming people or bikes in the distance and look behind before changing sides.

[thevillager1988]

I walk a lot and understand the topic very well. It's my experience people generally are walking on the left when on a path that has motorized traffic and foot traffic (so correctly walking to face oncoming vehicles as if they were on a road back home). And generally they walk on the right when the path does not allow motorized vehicles (so treating it like a sidewalk back home, even though they encounter a periodic bike). I typically walk as I describe, because it's what I see generally. And every once in a while I have to change sides to avoid someone. It's really no hardship. I wave and say a cheerful "hello".

The only way we would ever get people to walk the same direction all the time would be to paint arrows or post signs on the paths showing which way pedestrians should face on either side of the road. So for now, my solution is a cheerful "hello".

[wawriwwawriw]

My two near misses GOLF CARS! If It wasn’t because I was facing them and was able to move over I will probably no be here.

[Ktots]

Originally Posted by Bill14564

In the end, some people in the Villages are stubborn and are going to do what they want because that's the way they've always done it. We can discuss and debate what is best but we will never get everyone to agree on what is best or to follow it.

That said...

<snip>

Putting all the above together:
- Americans will likely walk to the right on any path (sidewalk) that doesn't carry automobile (or golf cart) traffic
- On a sidewalk or a walking/biking path, bicyclists will assume that walkers will stay to the right.
- When walking along a roadway (or a path that carries automobile or golf cart traffic) Americans will likely walk to the left
- On a roadway (or MMP here in the Villages) drivers expect walkers to be facing traffic
- Deviating from the above, typically by the pedestrian, creates an unpredictable situation which is unsafe for all.

There have been numerous threads on this topic which all have come to the same conclusion: People are going to do what they want to do regardless of what is safe. Then when there is an accident, those same people are going to stomp their feet and insist they were being the safest and the problem is with everyone else.

I agree with everything that you wrote and you are correct, people will always do whatever suits them, for their own reasons.
I will add:
-There are NO posted guidelines for the use of the Recreational Paths in TV, most likely because the powers that be know that people will not follow them anyway.

-The recreational paths where we lived up north had posted guidelines, at entrances to the path, directing pedestrians to walk to the right, as others seem to be familiar with, which is probably why many walkers and cyclist assume walkers “should” walk on the right.

-I have seen a few posts on this thread talking about cyclists “sneaking up on you”.
This is taken directly from Florida bicycle statute 316.2065:

10) A person propelling a bicycle upon and along a sidewalk, or across a roadway upon and along a crosswalk, shall yield the right-of-way to any pedestrian and shall give an audible signal before overtaking and passing such pedestrian.

-Soooo…. there should be no “sneaking up”, but again, people do not comply and give audible warning, which is why walkers will insist on acting in their own best interests and walk to the left, assuming cyclist ride on the right.

-The statute also says that law enforcement may not issue a citation to bicyclists on private property, which I “think” would apply to the recreational paths in TV. However, if I was a cyclist, I would not want to risk being sued, should I “sneak up” on someone and have an incident that results in injury.

-My husband and I walk 3-5 miles daily with our dogs, on the rec paths. We change sides depending on where we are walking, be it close to a pond where a gator is resting on the bank, or near grasses or other vegetation where there may be snakes or gators. We check behind us before changing sides. When a cyclist does give warning they are coming, we raise a hand to let them know we hear them.

As with most things, the majority of people we encounter on the paths are pleasant and courteous and we are grateful for that and enjoy.

[jimdecastro]

Originally Posted by Arctic Fox

We've discussed motorized vehicles and bikes on the walking trail, now I should be grateful for clarification on a related matter.

I have always been advised to walk on the left so that I can see any approaching traffic (whether that be cars, golf carts, e-bikes or pedal bikes) and take appropriate avoiding action if needed.

Yet there are some posts on TOTV suggesting that I should walk on the right if there is no motorized traffic in that location.

Why the difference? Surely if we all walked on the left all of the time then no-one would bump into each other and, should some traffic appear (even if it is just a pedal bike), we would know well in advance?

Thank you

Amen!!!!!

[jimdecastro]

Originally Posted by Bill14564

In the end, some people in the Villages are stubborn and are going to do what they want because that's the way they've always done it. We can discuss and debate what is best but we will never get everyone to agree on what is best or to follow it.

That said...

Because of the way we drive and typically walk in the US, the natural tendency is to walk to the right. You see this on sidewalks, in shopping malls, in airports, in boating rules, and at theme parks. When two pedestrians approach each other in the US it is typical for each to bear to their right. Without giving it any thought at all, Americans will typically stick to the right.

For vehicles of any type, driving to the right in the US is the law.

In the US we are taught to walk on the left, facing traffic, on a roadway. In many places this is the law as well. This enables the pedestrian to more easily see the traffic that is closest to them. Cars on the same side as the pedestrian come towards him from the front where he can see them. Cars approaching the pedestrian from the rear are on the far side of the street. This also makes it safer for the driver. If the driver sees the pedestrian looking at him then the driver has some confidence the pedestrian is aware of the car and less likely to suddenly move in front of the car.

Walking paths (sidewalks) are usually indistinguishable from designated walking/biking paths, particularly because bicycles are allowed on sidewalks.

Being predictable helps keep us safer. I can't know what you are thinking but if you act predictably (stay to the right/left, walk in a straight line, etc) then I can maneuver to avoid you.

Putting all the above together:
- Americans will likely walk to the right on any path (sidewalk) that doesn't carry automobile (or golf cart) traffic
- On a sidewalk or a walking/biking path, bicyclists will assume that walkers will stay to the right.
- When walking along a roadway (or a path that carries automobile or golf cart traffic) Americans will likely walk to the left
- On a roadway (or MMP here in the Villages) drivers expect walkers to be facing traffic
- Deviating from the above, typically by the pedestrian, creates an unpredictable situation which is unsafe for all.

There have been numerous threads on this topic which all have come to the same conclusion: People are going to do what they want to do regardless of what is safe. Then when there is an accident, those same people are going to stomp their feet and insist they were being the safest and the problem is with everyone else.

An excellent post- as usual. I am always walk on the left regardless of the path. If somebody appears not to be moving to their left around me, I simply stop and let them walk around me and then I continue. It may seem passive aggressive, but I've been clipped by more than a few bicycles in my year and a half here.

[margaretmattson]

Originally Posted by wawriwwawriw

My two near misses GOLF CARS! If It wasn’t because I was facing them and was able to move over I will probably not be here.

So glad you are safe! From reading these threads, people have different opinions. If I were to guess, the drivers of the golf carts believed you were supposed to be on the far right, completely away from them. They then, would say it was your fault.

Neither of you is correct.
Neither wrong. I am beginning to understand that people visualize how they are supposed to maneuver on the paths based on what they have seen and are accustomed to in their hometowns. If it is not what you were taught in your hometown, it is a disaster waiting to happen!


Attached is a picture of my hometown. Pedestrians to the far right. Faster vehicles are given a wider portion of the path. Pedestrians never enter the path of faster vehicles and NEVER cross over to switch lanes.

I am not stating this is the correct way. All I am stating is this is all I have ever known. Willing to change to walking on the left, if need be.

I vote for signage!

Go ahead and blast me for posting the same picture more than once! Just trying to show people have seen different things. It doesn't make them wrong! And, certainly not a reason to be ridiculed, scolded, or almost killed when they thought they were being safe.

[Happydaz]

///

[DonRaleigh]

Originally Posted by margaretmattson

So glad you are safe! From reading these threads, people have different opinions. If I were to guess, the drivers of the golf carts believed you were supposed to be on the far right, completely away from them. They then, would say it was your fault.

Neither of you is correct.
Neither wrong. I am beginning to understand that people visualize how they are supposed to maneuver on the paths based on what they have seen and are accustomed to in their hometowns. If it is not what you were taught in your hometown, it is a disaster waiting to happen!

Attached is a picture of my hometown. Pedestrians to the far right. Faster vehicles are given a wider portion of the path. Pedestrians never enter the path of faster vehicles and NEVER cross over to switch lanes.

I am not stating this is the correct way. All I am stating is this is all I have ever known. Willing to change to walking on the left, if need be.

I vote for signage!

Go ahead and blast me for posting the same picture more than once! Just trying to show people have seen different things. It doesn't make them wrong! And, certainly not a reason to be ridiculed, scolded, or almost killed when they thought they were being safe.

LOL. If the picture were taken from the opposite direction it would show pedestrians to the far left. It doesn’t support a “right” or “left” position.

[Gunny2403]

Nope.

[srswans]

Originally Posted by Bill14564

In the end, some people in the Villages are stubborn and are going to do what they want because that's the way they've always done it. We can discuss and debate what is best but we will never get everyone to agree on what is best or to follow it.

That said...

Because of the way we drive and typically walk in the US, the natural tendency is to walk to the right. You see this on sidewalks, in shopping malls, in airports, in boating rules, and at theme parks. When two pedestrians approach each other in the US it is typical for each to bear to their right. Without giving it any thought at all, Americans will typically stick to the right.

For vehicles of any type, driving to the right in the US is the law.

In the US we are taught to walk on the left, facing traffic, on a roadway. In many places this is the law as well. This enables the pedestrian to more easily see the traffic that is closest to them. Cars on the same side as the pedestrian come towards him from the front where he can see them. Cars approaching the pedestrian from the rear are on the far side of the street. This also makes it safer for the driver. If the driver sees the pedestrian looking at him then the driver has some confidence the pedestrian is aware of the car and less likely to suddenly move in front of the car.

Walking paths (sidewalks) are usually indistinguishable from designated walking/biking paths, particularly because bicycles are allowed on sidewalks.

Being predictable helps keep us safer. I can't know what you are thinking but if you act predictably (stay to the right/left, walk in a straight line, etc) then I can maneuver to avoid you.

Putting all the above together:
- Americans will likely walk to the right on any path (sidewalk) that doesn't carry automobile (or golf cart) traffic
- On a sidewalk or a walking/biking path, bicyclists will assume that walkers will stay to the right.
- When walking along a roadway (or a path that carries automobile or golf cart traffic) Americans will likely walk to the left
- On a roadway (or MMP here in the Villages) drivers expect walkers to be facing traffic
- Deviating from the above, typically by the pedestrian, creates an unpredictable situation which is unsafe for all.

There have been numerous threads on this topic which all have come to the same conclusion: People are going to do what they want to do regardless of what is safe. Then when there is an accident, those same people are going to stomp their feet and insist they were being the safest and the problem is with everyone else.

Well said - I agree.

Predictability is the key - it is safer if we all follow the same rules.

I have found that blind corners on pathways are dangerous when people are walking on the left - that’s the place where I have had the most surprises and close calls.

The biggest confusion appears to be, like noted above, that the rules are different for MPPs (left) and pathways (right). The confusion may stem from the two looking the same (asphalt). Streets and sidewalks have different rules too (left v. right) but visually the differences are quite obvious.

Since we don’t have a consensus and thus cannot predict what others will do, we just have to fall back to defensive driving/riding/walking. Pay attention and be prepared for anything on the MPPs and pathways.

Stay safe.

[dougawhite]

Originally Posted by margaretmattson

So glad you are safe! From reading these threads, people have different opinions. If I were to guess, the drivers of the golf carts believed you were supposed to be on the far right, completely away from them. They then, would say it was your fault.

Neither of you is correct.
Neither wrong. I am beginning to understand that people visualize how they are supposed to maneuver on the paths based on what they have seen and are accustomed to in their hometowns. If it is not what you were taught in your hometown, it is a disaster waiting to happen!


Attached is a picture of my hometown. Pedestrians to the far right. Faster vehicles are given a wider portion of the path. Pedestrians never enter the path of faster vehicles and NEVER cross over to switch lanes.

I am not stating this is the correct way. All I am stating is this is all I have ever known. Willing to change to walking on the left, if need be.

I vote for signage!

Go ahead and blast me for posting the same picture more than once! Just trying to show people have seen different things. It doesn't make them wrong! And, certainly not a reason to be ridiculed, scolded, or almost killed when they thought they were being safe.

Your photo is confusing and conflicts with your description. The photo shows a divided path with bikes to the left and walkers to the right. But just turn around and now bikes are to the right and walkers are to the left. Also, you said walkers never cross the bike trail, but there are several children on the grass on the opposite side from the walkers. They had to cross the bike path to get there.
No wonder everyone has their own opinion on this issue!

[srswans]

Originally Posted by EdFNJ

While this has been "discussed" umpteen times in the last days, weeks, months etc etc I think the real answer is in the form of a question:

Would you rather see what is coming AT you so you can mutually avoid being hit OR would you rather be surprised when someone or something rides or creeps up BEHIND you and kills you when you inadvertently take a step out in front of them?

Some of these electric golf carts and bikes are virtually silent so you could easily have no idea you are stepping out in front of one coming up behind you.

Agreed - it is quite dangerous when any pedestrian steps out without looking.

Pedestrians need to be pay attention and not randomly “change lanes” or turn around before looking.

Bicyclists need to announce as well. But this doesn’t always work when pedestrians have headphones on, are on a phone call, have poor hearing or are just plain oblivious.

This is important no matter which side you walk.