Englewood City Council members want more information before
further discussion of the request to allow low-speed vehicles,
including golf carts, on city streets.
Resident Brad Bertran raised the issue at the March 22 city
council meeting.
“I request the city look at the possibility of adding golf carts
to the list of low-speed vehicles allowed on city streets, where
the speed limit is 35 miles and hour or less,” Bertran said. “Of
course the golf carts would have to meet all the safety
requirements in order to be on the street. I feel it would reduce
the time people spend in vehicles and, of course, it would be good
for the environment because of reductions in emissions.”
Bertran noted the state passed legislation last year allowing
operation of low-speed electric vehicles on streets. He added that
he understands Commerce City has already passed the regulations
allowing golf carts on certain streets. Also, Littleton and Bow Mar
are considering similar laws.
The 2009 state law allows low-speed vehicles on the street and
requires the vehicles be registered and licensed. Additionally, the
law requires the vehicles must has safety equipment including
headlights, tail lights, brake lights, rear view mirrors, a
windshield and windshield wipers, seat belts and a parking
brake.
Englewood Police Sgt. Mike O’Connor, traffic unit supervisor,
said he knows about the state law but, in Englewood, it will be up
to the city council to set the rules if the decision is made to
allow low-speed electric vehicles on the streets.
“Some rules are spelled out in traffic code,” he said. “But the
city council will have to decide on issues such as required use of
seat belts and if some streets would be off limits to the low-speed
vehicles.”
Near the end of the March 22 meeting, Councilmember Linda Olson
said she would be interested in the proposal to allow golf carts on
city streets, and Councilmember Randy Penn said while on vacation
in March in Mexico, he used a golf cart all the time and liked it.
He added that he would like to bring the issue to the next meeting
of Englewood’s Traffic Advisory Council.
Rick Gillit, District 4 council representative, said he knows
there are people in his district who can’t drive motor vehicles so
maybe a golf cart could be a new mode of transportation for
them.
