Security Update 

Fall is here and it’s a great time to cycle around the beautiful island to take in the sights without the heat and humidity of the warmer months. As you dust off your gear, be sure to keep safety top of mind. The League of American Bicyclists website (bikeleague.org/ridesmartvideos) offers various videos and in-depth safety reminders. Another great resource is the Bicyclist Pocket Guide published by Georgia Bikes (georgiabikes.org/resources/bicyclist-pocket-guide). It provides some good statistics and information about Georgia bike laws.

• After some recent observations in our community, I had the following notable takeaways regarding cycling in The Landings:
• Some cyclists (and golf cart drivers) continue failing to stop at stop signs.
• Some cyclists under age 16 are not wearing helmets. Personally, I support helmets at any age.
• Cyclists must ride in the same direction as traffic on roadways.

In the past, drivers had no affirmative duty to change lanes when overtaking a cyclist. However, lawmakers amended the law (O.C.G.A. §40-6-56) as of July 1, 2021. The new statute states that when passing a cyclist, a driver must move over into the adjacent lane if it is safe and legal to do so. If unable to change lanes, the driver must slow down to a speed limit that is either 10 MPH below the posted speed limit or to 25 MPH, whichever is higher. Once the driver has reduced speed, they must maintain at least three feet of room between their vehicle and the cyclist when passing. Georgia lawmakers gave teeth to this new requirement by punishing noncompliance as a misdemeanor carrying up to a $250 fine. The three-foot law also should be observed on our community paths for cyclists and pedestrians. In practical terms, this would require golf carts to be at least halfway off the path (two wheels off the path). If the three-foot distance cannot be obtained, the golf cart should simply stop and allow the pedestrian or cyclists to safely pass.

Short-term rentals were a hot topic several years ago. Although the discussion has fizzled out, the subject remains on our radar. As a reminder, Landings residents may rent their dwelling for residential purposes only. Rentals for hotel purposes, timeshare, or fractional ownership purposes are not allowed under The Landing Association’s Covenants. In May 2017, the Board formalized the definition of hotel purposes as meaning fewer than 30 days. Renting through services such as VRBO and Airbnb is not a violation of our Covenants unless the rental is for fewer than 30 days. Security staff continue to monitor these sites. If a property is listed for fewer than 30 days, we try to identify the property so we can educate the property owner and fine, as necessary, to gain compliance.

As we near completion of the Association’s new smartphone app, our team could not be more excited. The app replaces our Smart911 emergency alert system, allowing us to customize and send push notifications to various target groups with a few strokes of the keyboard. When we launch the app, I encourage everyone to sign up, so you don’t miss Association news you need to know. Please watch for more details on the app and all its many features as details become available.

Finally, I cannot end this column without reminding all our resident ghouls and goblins to play it safe this Halloween. Make sure your costumes fit properly so you don’t trip and fall, and that you can see clearly out of masks and face coverings. As a reminder, Trick-or-Treating in The Landings is on October 31 from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. You can find more safety tips here.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Until next time, stay safe!