[Walter123]

I am always surprised when I see people walking or running through a tunnel. I don't even like taking my golf cart through them. I usually hold my breath because of the fumes but it's also dark and the love bugs like to hang out at the entrances and exits.

[Madelaine Amee]

I walk early in the morning while it is still dark, wear the appropriate clothing and flashers and still have golf carts coming right for me. I ALWAYS get up on the grass to let them go and invariably they are drinking coffee with one hand and steering with the other and they obviously have not seen me! On the other hand several of the carts who pass me know me by now and move over which I appreciate and acknowledge.

[rubicon]

Some posters are confusing rights with realities. The rules of the road apply on the multi-modal pathways. However, like everywhere or anywhere people ignore rules. As an example suppose you have two golf carts approaching from different directions (N-S E-W). Now suppose that you have a pedestrian walking between the two opposing golf carts. By law the golf cart that has as his/her obstruction this pedestrian must stop and let the oncoming golf cart through. I do stop and let the cart pass to protect the safety of the pedestrian.

I have never seen another cart in 8 years stop when confronted with an obstruction person equipment, etc...not once they all try and squeeze by

None of this is going to matter. No one sees my words or their meaning that is until someone really gets seriously injured or killed

[DAWN MARIE]

I've been running here for seven years and also have run just about all of the Village Road Races. I run the multi modal paths as much as I can but also run along the golf cart lane alongside the road to get to these paths. I do not run on sidewalks because cement is the very worse thing for your legs and also because others are walking on them; sometimes with their dogs.

As for the tunnels most generally as you enter a tunnel it's best to run with traffic to your back because of the blind curve for the drivers entering the tunnel. Most of the time I do not even encounter a cart since the tunnels are not that long. But be careful of the blind curves coming in and out of the tunnel and run accordingly.

I have had a small percentage of people yell at me for various reasons due to my running. I usually just wave and smile. Usually it's the fast paced carts I've noticed that have the drivers yelling at me. If I had to drive to the polo fields or some other place just to run I'm sure I'd not be running. It's hard enough to get out the door never mind having to drive somewhere to do this and it shouldn't be necessary. There's not that many runners here in the Villages, even with this large population for this to be a problem.

[sunnyatlast]

Originally Posted by DAWN MARIE

I've been running here for seven years and also have run just about all of the Village Road Races. I run the multi modal paths as much as I can but also run along the golf cart lane alongside the road to get to these paths. I do not run on sidewalks because cement is the very worse thing for your legs and also because others are walking on them; sometimes with their dogs.

As for the tunnels most generally as you enter a tunnel it's best to run with traffic to your back because of the blind curve for the drivers entering the tunnel. Most of the time I do not even encounter a cart since the tunnels are not that long. But be careful of the blind curves coming in and out of the tunnel and run accordingly.

I have had a small percentage of people yell at me for various reasons due to my running. I usually just wave and smile. Usually it's the fast paced carts I've noticed that have the drivers yelling at me. If I had to drive to the polo fields or some other place just to run I'm sure I'd not be running. It's hard enough to get out the door never mind having to drive somewhere to do this and it shouldn't be necessary. There's not that many runners here in the Villages, even with this large population for this to be a problem.

Ummmm…They are yelling at you for the same reason that they'd yell at a bicyclist or runner on I-75 if it were allowed: it's dangerous, given the speed and horsepower and smashing weight of the motor vehicles.

Not everything that is legal is sensible. Running in a tunnel with back to motor carts entering from sunlight into darkness is not exactly sensible.

[jbdlfan]

I also run the neighborhood streets early morning, about 5:45. We live in the northern section so not much traffic to deal with. I just put my earbuds in and crank out the George Thorogood. Can't hear them complain and just wave.....

[Bizdoc]

I would suggest that you not block out noise with ears buds and high volume anything. Electric golf carts don't make much noise and suddenly turning in front of one will break more than an ankle.

[Dr Winston O Boogie jr]

Originally Posted by njbchbum

The historic side - north of 441/27...no tunnels and low level of traffic!

I agree. I ride my bicycle here all the time and I see a lot of people walking and running on the streets. There is very little traffic.

[rubicon]

Originally Posted by DAWN MARIE

I've been running here for seven years and also have run just about all of the Village Road Races. I run the multi modal paths as much as I can but also run along the golf cart lane alongside the road to get to these paths. I do not run on sidewalks because cement is the very worse thing for your legs and also because others are walking on them; sometimes with their dogs.

As for the tunnels most generally as you enter a tunnel it's best to run with traffic to your back because of the blind curve for the drivers entering the tunnel. Most of the time I do not even encounter a cart since the tunnels are not that long. But be careful of the blind curves coming in and out of the tunnel and run accordingly.

I have had a small percentage of people yell at me for various reasons due to my running. I usually just wave and smile. Usually it's the fast paced carts I've noticed that have the drivers yelling at me. If I had to drive to the polo fields or some other place just to run I'm sure I'd not be running. It's hard enough to get out the door never mind having to drive somewhere to do this and it shouldn't be necessary. There's not that many runners here in the Villages, even with this large population for this to be a problem.

Dawn Marie: You are right and you should not have been faced with dealing with impatient people nor they with you. with a little more planning all of this unnecessary confrontation and safety issues could have been eliminated. It doesn't take much thought to recognize that building multi-modal paths was going to create unsafe obstructions. This is especially true since the whole point of The Villages was to provide a health lifestyle to its residents. The tunnel running under Buena Vista just south of the Bonnybrook entrance is not equipped with lights, despite a reminder from me a year ago. anyone entering that tunnel at dawn or dusk is taking a very big risk. Be careful out there

[LovingTVLifestyle]

Thanks to all of you for your wonderful feedback and consideration. I'm going to alter my route a bit and keep running against traffic... and probably avoid any tunnels.

I really appreciate all the input and positive attitude.

[DAWN MARIE]

If you run any sort of distance it is hard to avoid tunnels or at least one. I do have a four mile route I ran this afternoon and no tunnel. But of course I don't want to run the same course all the time for boredom factor and it would be difficult to run an 8 miler without running into a tunnel somewhere. I have had absolutely no problem running in the tunnels. Very rarely do I see anyone but when I do I'm usually running alongside them and there hasn't been any issues. Actually never even been yelled at in a tunnel. Usually it's on the road alongside the golf cart lane is where I get the occasional heckler.

[DAWN MARIE]

Originally Posted by sunnyatlast

Ummmm…They are yelling at you for the same reason that they'd yell at a bicyclist or runner on I-75 if it were allowed: it's dangerous, given the speed and horsepower and smashing weight of the motor vehicles.

Not everything that is legal is sensible. Running in a tunnel with back to motor carts entering from sunlight into darkness is not exactly sensible.

I've been running for over 30 years and I do believe I use common sense when I run. Any of the "near" accidents I've encountered has been a result of driver inattention such as a driver coming out of a side street looking left and turning right without looking right first. And there I am looking at the driver's face to make sure they see me. Some do and some don't by the look of horror on their faces. Believe me common sense is part of my running routine.