[glsatterlee]

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.

I agree wholeheartedly!!

[Carlsondm]

I’m no expert, but I walk a lot. I walk on the left to see approaching cars, Amazon trucks, carts, bikes, etc., then I may cross over to the right to get out of their way. The side I walk on depends if there is room to move off to the side. Many paths have landscaping right up to the path, like near underpasses. Then I walk on the right. So many of our roads and paths have a hump, that my hips appreciate me walking so one leg doesn’t get longer than the other. : )
I prefer the left, but judge my surroundings. Besides, when you are looking at the traffic ..you can wave and see if they are on the phone.

[glsatterlee]

Originally Posted by margaretmattson

Marking the trails with signage is the best solution

I love the sign, we should push The Villages to put it up on the Hogeye preserve.

[TerryCamlin]

It makes perfect sense. Bikers do not want to get killed on modular paths where golf carts can be flying by at 30 mph!! Obviously you do not bike.

[Joe C.]

Ever been to an airport or large department store? The escalators are always going upstairs on the right and down on the left. The moving walkways are forward on the right and coming back facing opposite. Kind of a de facto situation?

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

Originally Posted by dougawhite

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!

The bicyclists who are riding within the margins of their path, will ride to the far right of their path. But going in that direction, that path is on the left of the trail. The walkers who are walking within the margins of their path, will walk to the far right of their path. If you turn it upside down, the information will be the same. The bicyclists will still ride on the right side of their own path, however now their path on the right. The walkers' path is on the left, but the walkers are still walking on the right side of their own path.

It's a split trail. We have nature trails like that in Connecticut, that replaced an old closed-down railroad through the state. They're not quite as well-marked as that, but there's some signage and everyone knows what to do.

The trails have crosswalks in various spots, and people are allowed to walk ACROSS the path. They're just not allowed to walk along the path in the bike lane, and bikes aren't allowed to ride along the path in the pedestrian lane.

[bark4me]

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

I totally agree with you. Walking on the left would be the best.

[margaretmattson]

Originally Posted by DonRaleigh

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.

To use the marked pedestrian path, you walk on the FAR RIGHT, either coming or going. Like on sidewalks. You never have to worry about the faster traffic because you are never going to enter or cross over their marked path. And the faster traffic is never going to enter the pedestrian path.
There is no fear of being hit from behind.

My main point was:that people have seen different things and signage is probably the best solution.

From your post, you are not liking this type of marking. No objection from me! Just hoping that we can find a "best solution" that fits all and then post signage on the paths so everyone can follow. I am willing to change.

[Carlsondm]

Originally Posted by metalic

I have no idea why some people feel the need to switch from walking on the left to walking on the right, unless they are worried that their first grade teacher is looking down on them and will hit them with a bolt of lightning if they don't do what they were told to do seventy years ago.

I walk 10+ miles daily, mostly on the left, but change sides if vehicles are coming and there is room to get off the road/path on the other side, shade is on the other side and no one is around, to avoid snakes and gators, and to vary the angle of the path I am walking on for leg relief. Walkers usually have a reason for changing sides. Just ask them.

[Arctic Fox]

A propos of nothing, it always used to be the rule on ships to walk anticlockwise round the promenade deck, and there would be arrows on the walls indicating this.

The latest cruise ships lack these signs, so a few people tend to walk clockwise, which can cause problems in the narrower sections should you have to pass them there.

Despite having a constant stream of the other 95% coming towards them, they generally won't turn round and join the general flow, and you see them lap after lap.

You can imagine the chaos when Mrs Fox gets out there on her e-bike.

[Bill1701]

I don't care which side you walk on, just don't walk side-by-side and take up the whole path.

[GypsyRN]

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.

Amen...the only way to walk amongst the increasing number of inattentive, idiotic cart drivers in TV is by walking against their travel. I can always (and I have had occasions to do so lately) dodge these drivers by jumping out of their way, rather than pray that they won't be distracted while beating down on me from the rear. If you're of the mind to walk with traffic while on the MMP, then when you get hit, and are injured or killed, don't go blaming your attacker for their lack of peripheral vision!! You are the problem, not them. Walk the paths with me for 5 minutes and you'll change your point of view...literally!!

[ron32162]

If I had this many questions for something that simple I would stay in

[Two Bills]

On a side walk, where bicycles share, remove earbuds blasting Def Leppard if you want to hear whats coming from behind, and if you have a dog with you, keep on a short leash. You have no control over it on one of those extendable leashes.

[Bwanajim]

I walk my dog on the left. I believe all dogs are trained to walk on the left. As a sidenote, if you’re riding a break, please give me a holler or ring the bell when you come up behind me.