[Toymeister]

Originally Posted by DAVES

As far as shouting on your left. It is perhaps a practice in other places. In the villages it will often get you, a snarl, a, hand gesture, that is not a turn signal in Florida is it, or a panic response-several people scattering all over the place blocking how you planed to go around them.

I recommend a bell.

As an experiment I tried different warning devices to warn pedestrians of my approach while cycling. Most bells* were superior to yelling "on your left". This bell, a copy of a 1950s design, worked surprisingly well Retro Metal Bicycle Bell Handlebar Vintage Bike Bell Ring Horn Clear Sound Loud 788411009071 | eBay. The 80mm Dutch style 'DING DONG' bells we're also excellent ORIGINAL! DING DONG BICYCLE BELL 80MM CHROME. ( ALMOST GONE) | eBay.
*The free, tiny, 'dink' bells that come with some bikes are useless.

Bells frequently elicit waves, thanks, and smiles.

[DAVES]

Originally Posted by fdpaq0580

I disagree with your characterisation of the cyclist. He is definitely not a gentleman. Oh, and he was wrong.

People will argue about almost everything. I was not there, I do not know either party. Thus, I wonder who is right , or wrong.

[DAVES]

Originally Posted by Bill14564

On a path the bicyclist was right.

The walker was already not where he belonged. As a cyclist I would have been wary of what he was going to do next. He was blocking my side of the path but if I tried to go around him would he then move towards his side of the path and cause a collision? It's either roll the dice and hope for the best or stop and try to explain why the walker should not have been walking on the left. The cyclist chose option B but apparently the walker is too stuck in his ways to appreciate the good advice.

There is always hope. A post like, THANKS, I was wrong and didn't realize it. Has anyone seen ONE? Who knows. Perhaps, someone discovered what is right and will do it.
I call them ASTRONOMERS. There is no shortage of people who think, no are sure the world revolves around them.

[Kelevision]

Originally Posted by russtcc

This has come up before but the other morning while walking on a path (facing potential traffic) a gentleman on a bicycle decided to play chicken to see if I would move. When he finally pulled on the grass he informed I'm to walk with traffic. I explained that ever since I was run over by a bicycle with stiches to show for it I will face traffic when possible. We agreed to disagree.

Out of curiosity I did a Google search for pedestrian regulations in Florida. In turns out that in 2022 Florida state regulations, 316.130; Pedestrians; traffic regulations it clearly states if there is not a sidewalk when walking along a road the pedestrian is to walk on the left side facing traffic which may approach from the opposite direction.

I guess you can quibble as to what makes a road or highway but for me if anything with wheels is on that surface I'm on the left side. Walking on the right side with carts and bicycles coming behind me is like trusting everyone in a roundabout to stay in their lane! Below is a link to the regulations.

Statutes & Constitution
:View Statutes
:

Online Sunshine

That rule only applies to the multi-modal paths not the walking/bike paths. The biker was correct. My question is you see a bike riding toward you, in their own lane, and you didn’t move? Why did you “play chicken” with the biker who again was doing exactly the correct thing? You forced the biker off the road when you could’ve taken a couple of steps onto your own side?

[tophcfa]

Clothesline

[Garywt]

He, just like a golf cart needed to pull into the flow of traffic to pass you safely. You were doing it correctly.

[bob47]

The first thing I learned in kindergarten: Walk on the left facing traffic.

Most bicyclists prefer that you do this too. When your back is to them, they have to wonder if you know they are approaching. Especially with so many walkers wearing earbuds.

[Laker14]

Originally Posted by Kelevision

That rule only applies to the multi-modal paths not the walking/bike paths. The biker was correct. My question is you see a bike riding toward you, in their own lane, and you didn’t move? Why did you “play chicken” with the biker who again was doing exactly the correct thing? You forced the biker off the road when you could’ve taken a couple of steps onto your own side?

I'm half-way with you here, my friend. The OP states that the cyclist "chose to play chicken". I don't see how one person can play chicken by himself. It takes two.
I walk facing traffic. But I do so in order to see what's coming at me, and I do that so I can step aside.
As a bicyclist, I prefer to see the walker facing me, then I can assess whether or not he/she sees me, or is engrossed in a cell phone.

[Laker14]

Originally Posted by Toymeister

I recommend a bell.

As an experiment I tried different warning devices to warn pedestrians of my approach while cycling. Most bells* were superior to yelling "on your left". This bell, a copy of a 1950s design, worked surprisingly well Retro Metal Bicycle Bell Handlebar Vintage Bike Bell Ring Horn Clear Sound Loud 788411009071 | eBay. The 80mm Dutch style 'DING DONG' bells we're also excellent ORIGINAL! DING DONG BICYCLE BELL 80MM CHROME. ( ALMOST GONE) | eBay.
*The free, tiny, 'dink' bells that come with some bikes are useless.

Bells frequently elicit waves, thanks, and smiles.

While a bell may be the superior way to alert a pedestrian of your approach, it doesn't tell them anything about which side of them you intend to pass, which is fine if you are not intending to zip by them at full bicycle speed. Part of the issue is that many bicyclists feel entitled to pace themselves as if there were no pedestrians about. We wouldn't accept that from automobiles. If there are people around walking, bikes, as well as cars, should slow down a bit.
Bicyclists want to be treated with the same respect as automobile traffic, but often forget that along with that respect comes some responsibility, and in the case of cycling on a path heavily populated with walkers, that means not acting like it's a bicycle race course.

[terryf484]

Originally Posted by russtcc

This has come up before but the other morning while walking on a path (facing potential traffic) a gentleman on a bicycle decided to play chicken to see if I would move. When he finally pulled on the grass he informed I'm to walk with traffic. I explained that ever since I was run over by a bicycle with stiches to show for it I will face traffic when possible. We agreed to disagree.

Out of curiosity I did a Google search for pedestrian regulations in Florida. In turns out that in 2022 Florida state regulations, 316.130; Pedestrians; traffic regulations it clearly states if there is not a sidewalk when walking along a road the pedestrian is to walk on the left side facing traffic which may approach from the opposite direction.

I guess you can quibble as to what makes a road or highway but for me if anything with wheels is on that surface I'm on the left side. Walking on the right side with carts and bicycles coming behind me is like trusting everyone in a roundabout to stay in their lane! Below is a link to the regulations.

Statutes & Constitution
:View Statutes
:

Online Sunshine

Our experience when walking on walking paths is about half of the bicycle riders never give you notice when they are coming up behind you, therefore, we walking against the traffic. The other problem we have encounter, with a small minority of bike riders on walking paths, is the speed they are traveling. I believe, if you want to ride at 20 mph, you should do it on the cart paths or roadway. I am also a bike rider and try to be courteous to walkers.

[golfing eagles]

Originally Posted by Kelevision

That rule only applies to the multi-modal paths not the walking/bike paths. The biker was correct. My question is you see a bike riding toward you, in their own lane, and you didn’t move? Why did you “play chicken” with the biker who again was doing exactly the correct thing? You forced the biker off the road when you could’ve taken a couple of steps onto your own side?

The biker is not necessarily correct. The OP stated only that he was "walking on a path" (NOT "on a walking path). It did not specify if this was a walking/bike path like the areas south of 44, or a MMP. The difference is critical to the story and which party is "right".

[Gerrir]

Multi modal paths are just what the term means… all forms of traffic … walking… biking…golf carts…mechanical chairs…. Slow down to accommodate one another and pull aside when you have to. Many visitors don’t know any ‘rules’. Be cautious. No one wants to be a victim.

[bobeaston]

Originally Posted by JohnN

Walk against the traffic, ride with the traffic. That said, you need to be on the lookout for everybody.
And I don't play chicken with anyone, too many nutjobs out there.

Perfect answer. The bicyclist was wrong, and an a--hole as well.

Everyone needs to SEE who or what is about to run them down.

In memory of my high school friend, Ralph, who never saw what hit him. It didn't matter if he was on a road, a sidewalk, or a multi-modal path, so stop the stupid quibbling about where one walks. Ralph's dead!

[srswans]

Originally Posted by mtdjed

What does a sidewalk imply? I was always under the impression that you shouldn't be riding a bicycle on a "sidewalk". I believe the paths harboring walkers, bikers and golf carts are multi Modal paths. If I see a golf cart on the path, then I walk to face it. If the next vehicle I see is a bicycle, I expect that to be traveling in the right lane as the golf cart was. I would be on the same side facing it.

In Florida, bicyclists are allowed to ride on sidewalks.

[glsatterlee]

Bikes are traffic, that’s why they can drive on the road. Also a 200 pound man on a 75 pound motorized electric bike going 25 mph can hit you from behind and kill you. Take your choice, left or right. Your life is in your hands. Not the biker’s.