Adopt an ordinance allowing for the use of golf carts on St. Joseph city streets
- Target:
- Residents of City of St. Joseph, MI
- Region:
- United States of America
In January 2015, The Michigan Vehicle Code, Act 300 of 1949 was amended to allow for the operation of golf carts on city streets. The new law requires qualified cities, including the City of St. Joseph, to adopt an ordinance to permit the use of golf carts on city streets.
Facts:
The benefits of adopting an ordinance allowing for the use of golf carts on city streets include the following:
*The overwhelming majority of golf carts (90%) are electric and can reduce pollution within our community, replacing automobiles for short, stop-and-go trips that typically create the highest amount of emissions.
* The use of golf carts can help reduce traffic congestion, provide slower speeds on the streets and eliminate noise created by automobiles. Generally, golf carts have a maximum speed of no more than 25mph.
* The reduced traffic congestion benefits local businesses by bringing additional people downtown.
*St. Joseph City officials, by enacting an ordinance, will help generate revenue to local businesses.
* The use of golf carts promotes equality for the elderly and those with disabilities by means of an easier form of transportation.
* The purchase of a golf cart is a more affordable option than an automobile.
* In addition to the electric bikes, tandem, 4 & 6 person multi-bikes and mopeds, which are already commercially available, the presence of golf carts in St. Joseph promotes the image of a quaint community and a fun, family-oriented vacation destination.
Concerns:
*Golf Carts are not a Low-Speed Vehicles(LSV), Personal Transportation Vehicles(PTV) or Off-Road Vehicles(ORV), which are not included in the proposed ordinance. Presently, St. Joseph City does allow electric bikes, tandem, 4 & 6 person multi-bikes and mopeds on city streets, which are commercially available for use.
*The presence of golf carts on city streets does not create any greater risk to the operator and passengers than currently exists for those riding a bicycles, mopeds or motorcycles.
*Many golf cart manufacturers now offer street models with equipment standard on motor vehicles, including headlights, tail lights, reflectors, stop lights, brakes and mirrors.
*The use of golf carts on roads with higher speed limits is a serious safety concern, however the proposed ordinance, in accordance with state law, does not permitted the operation of golf carts on road with a speed limit greater than 30mph.
* The operators of golf carts will know to avoid fast-moving traffic and typically choose their routes based on light traffic and low speed limits.
*Other Michigan cities (incl. Grand Beach, Ludington & Richfield) have already adopted ordinances permitting golf carts and can provide valuable information on the benefits as well as answers to alleviate concerns.
Reference:
Michigan Vehicle Code, Act 300 of 1949, Section 257.657a Operation of golf cart on village, city, or township streets.
Sec. 657a.
We, the undersigned, support adopting the following proposed ordinance allowing for the operation of golf carts on St. Joseph city streets. We encourage the St. Joseph City Commission (Mayor Michael Garey, Mayor pro tem Fran Chickering & Commissioners Jeffrey Richards, Mary Goff and Chris Huegel) to review the supporting facts and express support for this proposal.
St. Joseph City – Golf Cart Ordinance(Proposed):
Operation of golf carts on city streets.
1. A person may operate a golf cart on city streets, subject to the following restrictions:
(a) A person shall not operate a golf cart unless he or she is at least 16 years old and licensed to operate a motor vehicle.
(b) The operator of a golf cart shall comply with the signal requirements of MCL 257.648 that apply to the operation of a vehicle.
(c) A person operating a golf cart upon a roadway shall ride as near to the right side of the roadway as practicable, exercising due care when passing a standing vehicle or one proceeding in the same direction.
(d) A person shall not operate a golf cart on a state trunk line highway(M63/Niles Ave.) or any of the following city streets: Lake Shore Dr./Main St., Napier Ave., Port St. and Ship Streets. This does not prohibit a person from crossing a state trunk line highway when operating a golf cart on a city street, using the most direct line of crossing.
(e) Where a usable and designated path for golf carts is provided adjacent to a highway or street, a person operating a golf cart shall be required to use that path.
(f) A person operating a golf cart shall not pass between lines of traffic, but may pass on the left of traffic moving in his or her direction in the case of a two-way street or on the left or right of traffic in the case of a one-way street, in an unoccupied lane.
(g) A golf cart shall not be operated on a sidewalk constructed for the use of pedestrians or on or across a cemetery or burial ground.
(h) A golf cart shall be operated at a speed not to exceed 15 miles per hour and shall not be operated on a highway or street with a speed limit of more than 30 miles per hour except to cross that highway or street.
(i) A person operating a golf cart or who is a passenger in a golf cart is not required to wear a crash helmet. The use of crash helmets is encouraged, especially for children under 16 years of age.
(j) A person operating a golf cart or who is a passengers in a golf cart shall wear a properly adjusted and fastened safety belt, if the golf cart is so equipped, prior to operating the same on any city street. If there are more passengers than safety belts available for use, and all safety belts are being utilized in compliance with this section, the operator of the golf cart is in compliance with this section.
(k) A golf cart shall not be operated on city streets during the time period from one-half hour before sunset to one-half hour after sunrise.
(l) A golf cart shall not be operated on city streets before April 1st or after September 30th.
(m) The owners or operators of golf carts to be operated on city streets shall provide the following information to the City of St. Joseph Police Department prior to operating the same on any city street: name, address and the golf cart year, make/model, serial number, and color.
2. This ordinance does not apply to a police officer in the performance of his or her official duties.
3. All golf carts and the operators of those golf carts are to be recorded on a list maintained by the City of St. Joseph Police Department. The City of St. Joseph shall not charge a fee for listing golf carts or the owners and operators of those golf carts.
4. A golf cart operated on a city street under this section is not required to be registered under the Michigan Vehicle Code for purposes of section 3101 of the insurance code of 1956, 1956 PA 218, MCL 500.3101.
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The Adopt an ordinance allowing for the use of golf carts on St. Joseph city streets petition to Residents of City of St. Joseph, MI was written by Advocating for an ordinance to allow golf carts on St. Joseph city streets and is in the category Local Government at GoPetition.