[jimdecastro]

You think a bike has issues - try walking! I walk against "traffic" - including on walking paths - because bicycles have hit me three times (I do not weave side to side). Each time was when people walking with traffic refused to move to the correct side. Now I stop and wait or if the grass is dry I move there.

[westernrider75]

Originally Posted by Michael 61

I would really like to purchase a bicycle (either conventional or e-bike), but after living here for almost one year, I’ve seen way too many close-calls between cyclists and golf carts on the multi-modal paths. I think it would stress me out, vs being a relaxing, enjoyable ride on the paths, trying to dodge golf carts, or worry about them passing me on blind corners.

Maybe I’m over-thinking this, and it’s not as big a safety concern as I’m envisioning it to be. Would be interested to hear what cyclists have to say about their comfort and safety level when riding on the paths.

I’ve been riding for about a year on first a conventional bike and now an e-bike. I stick to MMP as much as possible and am very comfortable with my safety. I’ve never had a problem, but I try to stay aware of my surroundings. Get a bike, you will love it. I would love to have a non-competitive group to ride with but have not found one.

[Sandy and Ed]

If interest is in exercise as well as exploration I might suggest a tricycle as an alternative which may be safer. Not the recumbent variety but the good old fashion upright adult delivery vehicle variety. Might even put a bell on the handle and a basket as well. Don’t laugh. Very stable and golf carts won’t be able to nudge you off the path. Just a thought

Oh yeah, add a go pro to the handle bar as well. Good advice from the other commentators

[La lamy]

I only ride on the street. It's quite safe in the historical section, not sure about other areas.

[spinner1001]

Bike riding in The Villages is safer than riding in cities and on busy country roads on average.

In the southern areas —
We prefer bicycle riding on the roads and little on MMPs because we feel safer from golf carts and, without an e-bike, sharp turns and steep slopes around the tunnels are relatively dangerous compared to roads overall. We mostly avoid riding on Morse and Buena Vista when very busy with auto traffic and will often ride nearby (wider) MMPs instead. Generally, MMPs in the southern area are ‘better’ for cyclists than in northern areas because of no curbs and greater width. Generally, riding during mornings hours rather than mid-day and afternoons is safer because of lesser traffic. The walking-only paths (not MMPs) can be stressful for bike riding when busy with walkers including kids and dogs; riding these paths early often works.

Always wear a good helmet. Always. Bright clothing (e.g., neon vest) and flashing bicycle lights — front and rear — are safer. Invest in such safety equipment. Visit a local bike shop, look around, and talk with one of the workers. The Trek store on SR 301 north of SR 44 is a good place to start. Trek Bicycle Wildwood | Trek Bicycle Wildwood

When first riding a bike, consider riding with a bicycle club in their slower or new-rider groups. You will learn many things from others, and get social and practical support. You will learn better local routes for cycling from experienced riders compared to learning routes on your own.

Sumter Landing Bicycle Club is one club. SLBC - Sumter Landing Bicycle Club

Bike riding ‘off-season’ is less stressful than ‘in-season’ — other than the heat.

Bike riding is good exercise and fun for most people.

[edtherock]

Michael. It really depends on how much you value cycling and your life. As an avid cyclist putting in 15k miles a year I have seen to many bike accidents and friends getting terribly injured. All it takes is one bad bike accident and your life is put on hold or even over. So is it worth it? Remember here there are lots of old people who make bad decisions. So you must ride very very defensively. Is it worth it? If you do ride outside look at Cycliq front and rear cameras for your bike so you can record everything. Great products they have. Or you can be like me and I ride inside for the most part on a smart trainer ( wahoo kicker) and the platform called (Zwift) and you ride with people from all over the world and pro bike riders. Ride alone, in a group, time trials, etc. you need an iPad , iPhone or pc. It works on all platforms. You can text to all while riding so you can creat friendships. I was in Kentucky with a large group of people I ride with in Zwift. About 30 of us from all over the USA and Canada converged there during the century ride there this past summer. So it is the safe option if you want to ride a bike. You just don’t get the wind rain Sun and fun of being outside.

I would use an e-bike if using the mvp s. With the traffic jams coming out of tunnels and then making hard turns up hill an e-bike gives you better mobility when cart drivers are so impatient (especially from Oct to March).

Benefit of an e-bike is you have best of both worlds. You can pedal OR "gun it". Definitely get a go pro.

A woman got hit in DeLuna a couple years ago now with witnesses, one a friend of mine. The car driver attempted to leave the scene. Once police arrived the driver got a "free pass" by the police while driving without insurance. He got to take his car and go on home. The woman was taken to the hospital. No punishment for the driver and no claim for the victim against him.

In that case it was a "It's not what you know its who you know" moment so a go pro would have held the police accountable to the victim and no favors.

I would also think about what your desired goals are for riding. Leisure and/or group activity. There are some e-bike riders on group rides so it is not an impossibility to use one with some of the cycling groups that do allow them (I have a friend who is a rider that speaks of e-bikes on some of his rides).

[Klearhead]

The first question I ask myself is "Why did I come here?" I know it seems like a silly question, it's not. Once upon a time I was an very good athlete, I rode bikes, ran in the Melrose games , even had a Professional Baseball contract offer. All those things were than, not today. I didn't come to The Villages for yesterday I came here for my Today's and God willing my Tomorrows. I broke a wrist in 3 places at age 23 and it cost me 4 or 5 weeks in healing, if I did that today age 73, it might well be 4 or 5 months of rehab. During the past 50 years I'll be darned but I did (despite my better judgement) actually physically age. Mind you that I have a different personal view and will quickly suggest "I'm a young 73". If I believe that, I'm also very foolish and I'm only fooling myself. I can remember my Mother and Father reminding of this fact when I was young, funny how they knew. I'm here because I couldn't find a better place in this big beautiful country to retire in and hopefully live out my days enjoying the sometimes limited fruits of life that The Villages help make possible. Today I don't need to fall off a bike through no issue of my own. People make mistakes, I've learned that and something else I need not plan my own mistakes The Villages is full of people who can do that for me....God Bless and have a great day.

[sharonl7340]

I ride in the neighborhoods and limit the amount of time on the street as much as possible. I have had many close calls wirh cars passing me with only a foot of clearance. I stopped riding on the MMPs when a cart passed me on a path where the lanes separated with a median. Scared the crap out of me. No paths, limited street time, all neighborhood roads. I treasure my bike time, so give it a try, but have mirrors and be mindful.

[JRcorvette]

Originally Posted by Michael 61

I would really like to purchase a bicycle (either conventional or e-bike), but after living here for almost one year, I’ve seen way too many close-calls between cyclists and golf carts on the multi-modal paths. I think it would stress me out, vs being a relaxing, enjoyable ride on the paths, trying to dodge golf carts, or worry about them passing me on blind corners.

Maybe I’m over-thinking this, and it’s not as big a safety concern as I’m envisioning it to be. Would be interested to hear what cyclists have to say about their comfort and safety level when riding on the paths.

Wear a helmet and pay attention to what is around you. Always assume that cars and carts can not see you. If you are not comfortable riding a bike then don’t.

[mdmurrell]

I agree that bike riding along with golf carts can be dangerous. However, it is less dangerous than driving on the streets along with automobiles. I carry a police whistle when I bike primarily to alert pedestrians who are so involved with dogs and cell phones that they are oblivious to all else.

[Chamo]

Just what we need to read a bunch of tour Lafrance people that think they entitled to the road and complain about everyone else’s driving but their own.

[HomerSimpson]

Originally Posted by Michael 61

I would really like to purchase a bicycle (either conventional or e-bike), but after living here for almost one year, I’ve seen way too many close-calls between cyclists and golf carts on the multi-modal paths. I think it would stress me out, vs being a relaxing, enjoyable ride on the paths, trying to dodge golf carts, or worry about them passing me on blind corners.

Maybe I’m over-thinking this, and it’s not as big a safety concern as I’m envisioning it to be. Would be interested to hear what cyclists have to say about their comfort and safety level when riding on the paths.

I recommend you also buy a bike rack for your car and take your bike to the Withlacoochee State Trail, Santos Campground, or similar. This is the safest way to go, as well as enjoyable. Otherwise it is a stressful ride on MMPs or the street.

If you HAVE to ride the MMPs. . .
1. Wear a helmet and reflective vest
2. Turn on your lights, flashing red in back at minimum
3. Use a mirror to see traffic behind you
4. If a cart comes up behind you, ride into the grass as soon as possible and let them pass
5. Ring your bell when you see people or other bikes in your path

If you ride the Hogeye or similar (no carts), ring your bell when you come up on people. It is stressful for people walking there - especially when the bikes are electric, running 15 MPH in total silence. I personally would like to see e-bikes banned from the Hogeye. It makes walking stressful when you have to keep looking over your shoulder for the surprise e-speeder.

[bobeaston]

Bike riding (actually, trike riding) in TV is a LOT safer than on the country roads in our previous "sleepy" little suburban village up north.

My wife and I ride the MMPs everyday, but we are very cautious and take precautions. We always ride with flashing lights and mirrors. We keep constantly aware of approaching golf carts from either direction. We are NOT fans of "take the lane" and can't ride fast enough to outrun any cart. (No, we won't use electrics either; we're out there for the exercise, not for racing along letting the machine do the work.) On occasion, esp on divided MMPs, we'll drop one wheel of the trike off into the grass to give a cart room to pass. On bridges, we stay as far right as possible for the same reason.

Yet, we still find cart drivers in so much of a hurry that they'll risk a head on collision on a bridge to pass us. (You idiots know who you are, 3 in a row, a week ago Wednesday morning, southbound on the Chitty Chatty bridge.) One almost won a Darwin award and tried to take me along with him!

Fortunately, trikes give us a lot more stability than the rider of a 2-wheeler who might be easily bumped and crash.

CAUTION is the operative word. In the morning, we are cautious of those who started too late to ensure adequate time to get to their tee-times. In the afternoon we are cautious of those who are so intoxicated they have to have their wives drive.

But, we won't stop riding because even with all the idiot cart drivers, it's safer than any place else we've ever ridden.

[toeser]

Originally Posted by Michael 61

I would really like to purchase a bicycle (either conventional or e-bike), but after living here for almost one year, I’ve seen way too many close-calls between cyclists and golf carts on the multi-modal paths. I think it would stress me out, vs being a relaxing, enjoyable ride on the paths, trying to dodge golf carts, or worry about them passing me on blind corners.

Maybe I’m over-thinking this, and it’s not as big a safety concern as I’m envisioning it to be. Would be interested to hear what cyclists have to say about their comfort and safety level when riding on the paths.

I ride 10-12,000 miles per year. I ride so much my bike gets covered in a black oily soot from golf cart exhaust. It's such good exercise I certainly would not advise you not to ride a bike, but there are risks.

Probably 95% of the golf cart drivers are careful, thoughtful, and safe to ride near. 2-3% perhaps mean well, but frankly are just not that good at driving. That last 2% should be banned from ever being able to drive a golf cart because they are accidents waiting to happen. They are reckless, thoughtless, and frequently think they are the sole owner of the path. I have seen some hair curling examples of things these jerks will do.

Some tips:

First, consider riding neighborhood streets that do not get a lot of through traffic. I combine these with the multimodal paths. The neighborhoods I go into offer some pretty safe riding.

As you approach blind corners, listen for carts and have your hands on your brakes. There are a number of golf cart drivers who have no concept of lanes and they will cut the corners and meet you head-on.

If you are on a multimodal path that runs along a golf course, be very aware of traffic that may be coming off the course. Some of those drivers are more into their game than driving and they will pull onto the multimodal path without even looking.

Paths that are split into two one-ways can be a challenge. As I get near entering one of these I look behind me to see if carts are approaching from behind. If so, I pull over and stop and let them past. Once on the path, I take up my full lane. I used to ride as tight to the right side as possible to let people pass me in the single lane. Not anymore, some golf cart drivers will breeze past with just a one-foot clearance. If it's a long lane and I have a place to ride off the trail to let them pass me, I will.

Absolutely, positively, ride with a mirror. Some riders don't and I think that's risky as heck. You need to see what's coming behind you. There are some very good ones that install easily on almost any bike.

If you ride after dark or even near dawn or dusk, have a good flashing taillight and a bright headlight. Being seen is important.

Don't let this scare you away from biking. Just be heads-up about it.