as if the multi-use paths weren't confusing enough...

[Smiling JOe]

As if the multi-use paths weren't confusing enough, the County is revisiting the existing ordinance regarding them, and the legality of the existing ordinance.

Wait 'til you read the new working draft >>>click to read it (http://www.co.walton.fl.us/administration/JulyTwentTwo/tab-I.pdf)<<<

Check out B) 7) Just wait until Code Enforcement tries to determine which person on a golf cart actually lives adjacent to the multi-use path. :funn: Accident waiting to happen, mixing golf carts, pedistrians, and bicyclists on narrow paths.

Also, check out the speed limit -- 8 mph, Section C) 1) Will a radar detector even clock a person on a bicycle with accuracy within 5 mph? Can't wait for that one to be enforced, especially since bicycles aren't equipped with speedometers as a standard. file:///C:/DOCUME%7E1/CIRCUL%7E1.CBC/LOCALS%7E1/Temp/moz-screenshot.jpg

What about Section C) 5), requiring bicycles to ride in the bike lane of the road, if they want to exceed 10 mph? Most of 30A doesn't even have a bike lane on the road. The other option they give is to ride on the road, which means that they will be blocking traffic.


These changes should make for interesting debate.

[tistheseason]

The one nice thing about having a spead limit on the multi-use path is that when people start complaining about road bikers on the road -- than we can shut them up with "it's the law".

[scooterbug44]

What a cluster!

Here it is in Scooterese:

Absolutely NO motorized vehicles or parking allowed on the sidewalks or multi-use paths. Additional restrictions may also exist.

Anyone using the path must operate at safe speeds (20mph or less), obey all posted signage, and yield to other users.

Violators are subject to heavy fines, seizure of offending vehicle, and/or imprisonment. :biggrin:

[Andy A.]

FYI, we went around with Commissioner Jones on this issue about golf carts when The Village at Blue Mt. wanted a golf cart path built on the other side of the road from the bike path in the Blue Mt. Beach area. The idea was dropped when it was obvious there was so much opposition to it from local residents. Now, its election time and it appears to be back again. Is it possible election contributions have anything to do with it?

[Smiling JOe]

The new draft also reads as though someone can use a wheelchair on the multi-use path, as long as it isn't motorized. Are they supposed to drive the electric wheelchair in the street?

[sowalgayboi]

Other than this MORON who posted his stupidity for the world to see on myspace, http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&videoid=37931786, when did it become a multi-use path? I always referred to it as the bike path and feel that if you want to get descriptive call it the bike/walk path.

[sowalgayboi]

The new draft also reads as though someone can use a wheelchair on the multi-use path, as long as it isn't motorized. Are they supposed to drive the electric wheelchair in the street?

I have no issue with allowing motorized wheel chairs on the bike path, that to me is a reasonable accomodation, but the golf cart loaded down (and most likely driven by) children and beach crap is not.

[TooFarTampa]

I have no issue with allowing motorized wheel chairs on the bike path, that to me is a reasonable accomodation, but the golf cart loaded down (and most likely driven by) children and beach crap is not.

Segway? Around here a Segway can go anywhere a motorized wheelchair can go.

[Smiling JOe]

From day one, it was referred to as the multi-use path, but most people doing the yelling at me on my road bike refer to it as the ****ING BIKE PATH OVER THERE! It is far from a bike only path, and in some places, it narrows to only the width of a sidewalk, which is not friendly for bikers and pedestrians side by side.

[beachmouse]

The times I've played around with those 'Your Speed Is ____' sign things when I'm on my bike, their speed calculations are generally pretty darn close to what the speed my bike computer is showing.

[singinchicken]

The first time a person is ticketed on a motorized wheelchair the Lawyers who handle the ADA complaints will descend upon Sowal like locusts.
And Sowal will lose...

[Smiling JOe]

Even if they are able to clock speeds, is it legal to bust people for speeding on the path if their bicycle isn't equipped with speedometers? Furthermore, shouldn't the cops be spending their time busting people for driving their autos 65 mph through traffic light intersections, like 98/283? More unenforceable laws is not the answer. I know power-walkers who can walk fairly close to that speed limit for bicycles.

[scooterbug44]

The first time a person is ticketed on a motorized wheelchair the Lawyers who handle the ADA complaints will descend upon Sowal like locusts.
And Sowal will lose...

This is where common sense comes in - anyone with the power to write tickets should obviously know not to ticket someone in a WHEELCHAIR for using the sidewalk or path!

The po-po should be writing tickets (and making up all that lost revenue) by ticketing habitual offenders and focusing on the big safety issues, not nitpicking path usage and speeds.

[Smiling JOe]

Now you cannot go around having selective enforcement of the law. The laws need to be better written. Thank God, that this was only a draft of the new ordinance.

[scooterbug44]

Not issuing tickets for motorized wheelchairs on the path is not selective enforcement of the law, just like a ticket for parking in a handicapped parking space w/o a placard/plate isn't discrimination against able bodied people. :roll: A wheelchair is an assist device for someone w/ a documented medical reason for using it, not a vehicle or recreational device.

Path size is not the issue, behavior and lack of courtesy is! In most places on 30-A the path is as wide or wider than the multi-use path I grew on that was used by bikers (of all speeds and levels of spandex), walkers, runners, roller bladers etc.

This thread is a prime example of how we get such f'ed up laws and regulations - everyone wants wording and exemptions to benefit them and their priorities!

[Smiling JOe]

A wheelchair is an assist device for someone w/ a documented medical reason for using it, not a vehicle or recreational device.Egg-Zachery, and reason to allow them as exceptions, noted in the ordinance. It is probably illegal to make a local law which would contradict Federal ADA laws.

[sowalgayboi]

Segway? Around here a Segway can go anywhere a motorized wheelchair can go.

The Segway is not a medical device it is an option for people who don't want to walk a block. If start making exemptions for golf carts and Segways why not make an exemption to use it as a turning or passing lane?

[Zebraspots]

Maybe if people actually WALKED to and from the beach instead of using golf carts or vehicles we wouldn't be such a nation of fatsos!

[ciclismo]

but most people doing the yelling at me on my road bike refer to it as the ****ING BIKE PATH OVER THERE!

That is too funny...but actually scary true. I have had people try to run me off the road. I have had things thrown at me. I have had people scream at me at 5:30 in the morning coming down 83 yell at me to get off the road on 30-A. I have had on of my subconstractors try running me off the road. He was really surprised and apologetic when I confronted him that morning. :yikes:
In general I would say that 90% of all cars that pass show agression or agitation towards me being on the road. I just assume every car on the road is going to try and hit me or throw something at me or yell at me. Thus, my expectations are set appropriately when it does happen and I don't let it bother me.

We were on a ride yesterday and had a friend crash on Hwy77. A car going the other way cheered that one of us had fallen and got hurt. Unfortunately this is the sentiment of many towards cyclists.

I ride early to be finished before the traffic starts and try to be respectful of cars. I ride fast and the mulit-use path is not an option. I know cyclists are nuisance to cars on 30a, but I wish people had a bit more patience and courtesy. The multi-use path is too dangerous, covered with sand and with too many blind intersections to ride safely. With the new 8mph speed limit it is even less of an option.

Please drive safe out there.

[singinchicken]

Egg-Zachery, and reason to allow them as exceptions, noted in the ordinance. It is probably illegal to make a local law which would contradict Federal ADA laws.

Local laws never trump federal law.
I had a local cop up here in one of the small towns outside Marietta give me a ticket for my headlight modulators on my Goldwing. I carry a copy of the Federal statue allowing them for just such a purpose. The cop said, "Well, I don't like them" and gave me the ticket. Made sure I went to court with the Federal statue as well as the documentation for my modulator that shows they modulate and not flash the lights. The Judge apologized and threw it out. Yes, the cop was in the courtroom.

This applies to the path. Never apply laws subjectively, and you should never have any problems. If the law in question is stupid, then, at least it will be stupid for all rather than a few.