Golf Cart ordinance remains the same after a year of review

by Marsha Chartrand

Last year, when residents requested to be able to drive golf carts on the streets of the (then-)village, Council considered the proposal and it was decided to pass the ordinance and review it in one year.

Recently the ordinance (§ 73.02 OPERATION OF GOLF CARTS ON VILLAGE STREETS) was reviewed with a request for expansion. Council asked Sgt. Joel Gebauer to look into the situation, with an eye to safety in the matter of golf cart use on M-52, which has heretofore been prohibited, and remains so, for safety purposes, after the WCSO review.

Gebauer responded, “To minimize confusion, I would refer readers to the city’s ordinance (which can be located at https://codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/manchestermi/latest/manchester_mi/0-0-0-9828 ). Some of the key points to highlight are that the driver of the golf cart has to be at least 16 years old with a valid drivers license; they have to operate it near the right side of the roadway; they cannot operate it anywhere on M-52 (as a State trunk line); they cannot operate it on a sidewalk; operation can only occur between sunrise and sunset; and they cannot exceed 15mph.”

Gebauer added that other electronic vehicles such as e-bikes are still considered bicycles at the moment, so they still fall under laws that pertain to regular non-electric bicycles. Razors, 4 wheelers, or utility vehicles, on the other hand, are not considered golf carts and as such, are not permitted by law to be operated on surface streets within the City.

“We do keep an eye out and have stopped a few of them as well,” he noted. “Some of the people that we’ve stopped have been under the impression that their razor like vehicle is like a golf cart (which it isn’t), and some have clearly hoped that they wouldn’t have been caught (which they did).”

So, if you’re a golf-carter, pay attention to the rules of the road, and be aware of your surroundings at all times. Being safe for the sake of yourself and your passenger(s) is, of course, common sense, and should be observed regardless of what type of vehicle you are driving!

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by Marsha Chartrand

Marsha Johnson Chartrand, a founder, writer, and copy editor with the Manchester Mirror, is a 50-year resident of Manchester. She has a long history of volunteer and community involvement.