Just back from BWV and OKW. Bad Karma with Surrey Bikes.

[JoEllen]

We just got back home from 10 great days at WDW. Split our stay between our home resort of BWV and OKW. Loved both of them.

While at the BWV we like to stroll the boardwalk frequently to get to parks, restaurants, etc. Most families on surrey bikes act pretty normal and give pedestrians a wide berth. However, we are really getting tired of the actions of a few who love to ring their bell madly and deliberately try to scatter groups of walkers.

One afternoon my 12 yr old and I were walking to Epcot and two couples on a surry bike drove up right behind us ringing their bell and telling us we were supposed to move. Since there was hardly anyone on the boardwalk and plenty of room for them to drive around us I told them a better idea I had for their bell.
They then attempted to nudge us with the front tires.

I don't know what the answer is for the behavior of a few morons like these. But it seems like every trip, we see rude behavior that could be potentially dangerous occur with surrey bikes at the boardwalk.

Other resorts like OKW have them but not the same riding environment which pits them against the pedestrians.

Anyone else have incidents like this at BWV's with surrey bikes?

[mouseclick1]

Never had an incident, but those bikes always made me very nervous!

[ohiominnie]

We were walking around the BW/YC/BC loop last August and noticed some crazy behavior on the surrey bikes. In particular one family had the largest surrey bike you can possibly rent (is it a 6 or 8 seater?) and they were screaming and carrying on. They were flying around corners and coming pretty close to pedestrians. The most dangerous thing was when they went at breakneck speed over the bridge towards Jellyrolls and took the corner back into the Boardwalk area at top speed. With the weight they had on that bike and their speed they came very close to tipping the thing.

And then there was the man and wife and child who had trouble making it up the hills on the bridges and the man made the woman (in a dress, no less) get out and PUSH!!!!

[Margie J]

I must say I hate those surrey bikes too. Each time I've seen some which seem out of control. Two weeks ago I saw one head down the hill towards the Y&B and it nearly plowed over a group of pedestrians. I think some people don't know how to break.

What happened to you and your child was downright rude. I would have said something to the CM at the bike rental stand. Not sure if it would do any good but it would make me feel better to have my say in the matter.

[Eeyore2U]

They then attempted to nudge us with the front tires.

Some people!!!:mad:

I may have had to be restrained if someone did that to me.

Sorry and it happened and hope I have your calmness if it happens to me.

[slp87]

Amazing. When we rented a surrey in March, we were told that pedestrians had the right of way, but I've still seen groups behaving out of control. I also think they should not be rented after dark. The paths are getting too crowded and it's much harder to see.

[Dean]

You should have reported them to security.

[Nanajo1]

I'm nervous, particularly at night, with some Surrey bike riders. They get up a head of steam and don't know how to control it. I need a little more room for my ECV to get out the way for those fast moving bikes.

[bicker]

The BoardWalk is a particularly bad place for surrey bikes. It is too narrow and crowded.

[DeeP]

I think they should replace the surrey bikes with rolling chairs on the Boardwalk. That would be more authentic with keeping with the Atlantic City Boardwalk theme--there are no surrey bikes on the AC boardwalk but plenty of rolling chairs--and it would be a lot safer for people walking on the boardwalk.

[Mooobooks]

Nudging you with the front tires is legally battery: you could have called the police and had them arrested on the charge of battery. Personally, I would have grabbed the bike to hold it while my wife went and called security, then had them physically removed from the bike. What they did is illegal. Letting them continue on their way only gave them license to do it again.

[Kath816]

Our extended family was at BW last week and had a similar experience with a surrey bike. A family came up behind our group travelling quickly. Well, they thought ringing the bell would scatter us and give them the right of way. Unfortunately, my 5 yr.old niece is hearing impaired and I had to pull her out of their way. It was infuriating and I quickly tried to "inform" them of her situation while moving her and giving my best "mean aunt" look. We did discuss that when we rent surreys at Cape May, NJ in the summer they are NOT allowed on the BW, only on the streets where the speed limit is 25 m.p.h.
They do not belong on the BW. Thanks for posting and letting me vent!!! :cool:

[Simba's Mom]

I must say that in this day of lawsuits and safety, that I've often been surprised that Disney rents those things and allows people to drive them around the Boardwalk. Too many children! I remember my son, for example, would think nothing of making sudden changes of direction in walking, walking into people, just not looking where he was going, when he was little (wait-how different is he now?). To me, those bikes are a potential for an accident and a lawsuit.

[PamOKW]

I agree. From the first time I saw the bikes being ridden in the evening and after dark I couldn't believe it. I can't believe there haven't been accidents leading to lawsuits. Heck, in Atlantic City and other boardwalk resorts you may only ride bikes early in the morning BEFORE the pedestrian crowds arrive.

[PKK/MJK]

I HATE those darn surrey bikes!! Well, I guess it isn't the bikes--it's the "drivers." So many of them get into the seat and think the Boardwalk is now theirs and everybody else had better just run for cover!! Those bikes definitely do NOT belong in a crowded area like the Boardwalk. They are a definite safety hazard!!

[TheWho]

DeeP,
excellent idea!!

[DownNeckBoy]

Can anyone explain the appeal of those bikes? They just seem very "goofy" to me!

:jester:

[dianeschlicht]

We have had similar experiences with wild surrey drivers on the Boardwalk. If they intend to keep them available, perhaps they need to install something that will keep them from going too fast. Of course, that would not stop them from coming up close behind people or nudging them! I agree, I would have confiscated the surrey and let them raise the ruckus so you could report them.

[chris1gill]

Wow, I thought I was the only one that had these feelings towards the Surrey bikes at BW!! They are SO unsafe due to the crowds & the way people drive them... There is NO room on the path for the bikes & pedestrians... If I'm not mistaken, someone was hit by one last summer, I don't recall the outcome, but they were injured...

When we want to ride surrey bikes, we head right over to WL, that has a wonderful path over to Fort Wilderness...

The appeal of the surrey bikes to us at least, is that our children absolutely love them... they are 7 & 4 now, and we've been getting them the last 2.5 years... We've always rented & gone over to the petting zoo...

I cannot see the appeal at BW however, I've seen plenty of people that couldn't make the hills & had to get out & push... To top that off, how interesting is it to go around the lake like that? It's much more interesting at WL where there are animals & stuff to look at!

I think we should all write to DVC about this... if enough of us complain, maybe they'll limit them to early morning hours or something when the BW isn't busy!

[DoeWDW]

Gotta add my misgivings about the surrey bikes! I've often thought they were not well suited to the YC/BC/BW area - too hilly and too many pedestrians!

I love folks from the UK but when you get a wild group on a surrey bike driving on the "other" side of the path - I get confused about how best to get out of the way......

I like the idea about renting them at WL and driving to Ft. Wilderness - I think we'll try this on our next trip!

[JoEllen]

Just got back online and read all the replies. Yes, I should have notified security or someone of the event. My husband strongly pointed that out to me when I told him about it!

I did call Member Services to ask who to complain to about Surrey Bikes at BW and they said to direct complaints to:

Boardwalk Resort - Recreation Manager
2101 N. Epcot Blvd
Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830

So if you feel strongly about this, please follow up with a complaint letter. I am horrified to think what might have happened to that hearing impaired child if not for quick thinking!

[Maistre Gracey]

Last year while leaving EPCOT after Illuminations and making a bee-line foe Jelly Rolls, we to were nearly mowed down by one of these. They were ringing the bell, and screaming for us to move. I don't think they were being rude, as much as they were out of control... and they knew it.

P.S.- They now rent these things at the Poly. The walkways there are much more narrow than the BW. I have not seen one out of control there though. They are not that popular at the Poly.

[Snowgod]

Try a Magic Wand through the spokes, slows them right down.

[madcoco]

Since there was hardly anyone on the boardwalk and plenty of room for them to drive around us I told them a better idea I had for their bell.Not to make light of this,but what exactly did you tell them to do with the bell?;)

[JoEllen]

Since I'm an ex-secondary ed teacher, I was able to state firmly but with the proper anatomical term the location for said bell. ;)
Also, the presence of my 12 year old kept me on track!

[madcoco]

http://www.theunholytrinity.org/cracks_smileys/otn/laughing/yelrotflmao.gifSorry it happened.It would have been hard to stay civil even at WDW with a 12yr old after they hit you on purpose.Can't believe some people.

[doubletrouble_vb]

Limiting the speed on the Surrey bikes would guarentee the drivers/riders wouldn't be able to make up the hills.

If Disney just has to have these they could move the rental over to the MGM path and disallow them on the YC/BC/BW path. Or limit them to 10AM to 4PM.

[Laurabearz]

On our recent trip we encountered many of the bikes. Most of the time it was fine, but when returning from Illuminations.... it was very hairy... lots of people walking and lots of surry bikes, flying down the path......

DH and I thought it would be safer if they suspended the rentals for an hour, after Epcot closes.

[bicker]

I think both of those moves would severely cut into profitability of the operation. I believe the closing of Epcot brings about the biggest surge in patronage at the BoardWalk of the day.

[Nanajo1]

I wonder how much a lawsuit would cut into profits!!

[rbuzzotta]

My DH would have gone nuts if someone nudged us!! I HATE those bikes at BW and and will never rent them there at night. We did once rent them during late afternoon and it was pleasurable.

We always rent them at OKW and VWL and thoroughly enjoy the ride. We have also rented at POR and it was nice.

I think they should be banned at BW after 7 or 8 PM!

[bicker]

Originally posted by Nanajo1
I wonder how much a lawsuit would cut into profits!! Everything is relative to actual risk, not only of harm but of a finding of liability.

Besides, Disney doesn't operate the surrey bikes, so Disney's relatively insulated.

[Nanajo1]

Disney allows the bikes to be used on their property and they should be aware that here is a probable danger. Don't kid youself by thinking some injured person won't have Disney top of the list to be sued.

[Laurabearz]

I would be happy with a breathalizer test before renting.... of course that would cut into profits too.....

[bicker]

Originally posted by Nanajo1
Disney allows the bikes to be used on their property and they should be aware that here is a probable danger. Don't kid youself by thinking some injured person won't have Disney top of the list to be sued. Don't kid yourself by thinking that Disney hasn't covered its tail. They always do.

[DownNeckBoy]

I must agree with Bicker. Disney is well known within the legal community for being EXTREMELY well prepared in its risk management. It is VERY difficult to prevail against Disney. Many have tried (and failed) and that is to Disney's credit. (If you are ever truly bored, just read through some of the disclaimers on Disney's tickets/passes/ etc.!)

:smooth: