Is it a automotive? Is it a toy? No, it’s the newest development in Madison transportation: the golf cart, golf automobile, golf buggy, the cart, mini automotive, golf automotive, golf trolley, or a membership automotive — and golf doesn’t need to be concerned in anyway.
No matter you select to name it, it’s an eco-friendly various to a automobile, noticed each in downtown Madison and on Madison’s hilltop. Since once you is likely to be asking? Because the Nineties, in accordance with locals. Nevertheless, don’t let their small stature idiot you, they’ve been round for much longer. There are simply increasingly of them on the streets, so look ahead to them!
Technically, the entire non-car, non-motorcycle autos you might be seeing are thought of low-speed autos (LSVs). A low-speed automobile is a four-wheeled motorcar, excluding all-terrain autos, that may attain speeds between 20 and 25 mph, has a gross automobile weight score beneath 3,000 kilos, and complies with the protection requirements outlined in Title 49 of the U.S. Code of Federal Laws, part 571.500. Something that exceeds this, however just isn’t fairly a automotive, is taken into account an all-terrain automobile (ATV) or a utility process automobile (UTV)
So, the historical past of golf carts in Madison, except for being seen on precise golf programs, formally began in 2009 when the State of Indiana handed laws permitting municipalities to decide on to permit golf carts as modes of transportation, or not. These municipalities can also regulate their ordinances on how they’re ruled and run, Madison Police Chief Shawn Scudder mentioned in a latest interview.
Chief Scudder famous golf carts are “topic to the entire similar legal guidelines and guidelines that [bigger] autos are.” An individual have to be a licensed driver to drive a golf cart. The motive force should additionally carry particular driving insurance coverage on their specific transport. An individual can and will probably be stopped for any driving infractions, equivalent to driving at night time with out lights, driving whereas beneath the affect, and some other unsafe violation, as topic to some other automobile on the street. On Madison PD’s part of town web site, there may be additionally a map of the place golf carts are and usually are not allowed. Go to https://www.madison-in.gov/, then click on on the menu on the right-hand aspect of the webpage. You’ll select Departments, then Police Division. As soon as on MPD’s web page, you’ll see Golf Cart Registration as a selection within the menu on the appropriate. This web page could be very helpful, because it options directions on the right way to register your golf cart with MPD, guidelines and rules for golf cart operation, and the aforementioned map.
Golf carts working in Madison have to be registered with Madison Police Division, and patrons should buy a yearly sticker for $25. Golf carts should even be recognized as “slow-moving autos” by putting in a state-approved triangular slow-moving automobile signal, normally a reflective orange, positioned a minimal of six (6) ft above the street floor and visual always whereas being operated on metropolis streets. Scudder mentioned that is the place residents usually connect their present allow sticker — the golf cart equal of a license [plate] and registration.
Golf carts will be bought and/or rented in Madison. Acree Alley, 216 E. 2nd Road, , rents 2-seater, 4-seater and 6-seater carts at day by day, weekend and weekly charges, in the event you’re eager to see what this sensation is all about. Additionally they promote new and used carts, in addition to provide upkeep service to present carts. They also have a “tow cart,” must you break down and want help! Kenny Honeycutt, of Energy Gear Options, 319 E Foremost Road, mentioned whereas they don’t hire golf carts, they do promote, keep, and modify them!
These intrigued sufficient to need to personal a golf cart have some selections to make. Honeycutt notes they are often gas-powered or electrical (battery). Used carts vary between $4000 to $10,000 relying on the 12 months, make, and mannequin desired. Gasoline-powered carts vary between $9,500 to $18,000 relying on upgrades and added equipment. And like some other automobile there may be annual upkeep from tuneups to brake jobs and tire checks. Gasoline golf carts must be serviced yearly. Electrical carts utilizing conventional batteries must have the lead acid water checked within the batteries, whereas these with Lithium batteries require little to no upkeep. Modifications are additionally limitless and may embrace turning up the velocity on a cart’s motor, suspension elevate kits, lights, Bluetooth stereo, customized inside, customized suspension, customized wheels, and extra. There are even heaters and clear plastic covers that cowl the whole golf cart to maintain the warmth in and the chilly and precipitation out, for when the climate turns colder.
Insuring a golf cart is part of protected operation and possession. In accordance with Mike Koehler, of Indiana Farm Bureau, many assume that their home-owner’s coverage will cowl their cart; nonetheless, it can solely cowl it whereas it’s parked at that residence. In accordance with Koehler, folks might want to ask for a “golf cart coverage” or a “leisure automobile coverage” to guard them whereas working on roads. He additionally recommends being forthcoming about any added modifications which were finished or equipment which were added, as that may improve the worth of the cart and enhance the protection. Golf carts ought to have, not less than, legal responsibility protection, to cowl anybody who will get harm. Full protection can be obtainable, simply as it’s for cars. A cart proprietor ought to verify with their insurance coverage agent for custom-made protection choices. “Individuals who make assumptions of their coverages are those that get into hassle,” Koehler warns.
Whereas insuring a golf cart is a should, so is getting anti-theft units for carts. If homeowners can’t lock their cart in a storage or shed, security have to be considered. An estimated 25,000 golf carts are stolen annually nationwide. Carts are simpler to interrupt into than automobiles, with thieves typically utilizing duplicated keys to unlock and energy them. Not like different autos, golf carts sometimes lack sprint cams, alarm programs, and different safety features, making them extra weak to theft. Anti-theft units can vary from cameras to steering wheel locks to “kill switches,” however may embrace, ignition locks (or altering to a specialty ignition), GPS monitoring, cameras, wheel boots, and pedal locks. Insurance coverage companies even advise placing a canopy on the cart when not in use, as they’re cumbersome and never a “fast steal.”
Is there particular parking for golf carts? Golf carts can park in an everyday parking house, however the metropolis has offered particular parking spots by the Kindness mural, situated beside town parking zone on the northeast nook of Second and Mulberry streets, in addition to alongside the river. Individuals must be conscious of the place they park their carts, particularly not on sidewalks and never blocking something, simply as a driver could be conscious of parking their automotive.
Except for native journey, purchasing, and common pleasure using, what else is there to do with golf carts? Homeowners can take part in a “formal poker run,” normally held as a fundraiser. A golf cart UTV poker run is an organized occasion the place individuals drive golf carts, ATVs, or UTVs to particular checkpoints, drawing taking part in playing cards at every cease. Wish to see what the thrill is all about? The Madison Riverfront Improvement Committee Golf Cart/UTV Poker Run Fundraiser is ready for Saturday, October 5, 2024 when sometimes a whole lot of carts and UTVs descend on Madison to spend a lovely fall day on Madison’s gorgeous riverfront and go to 12 native spots. In the event you don’t have a golf cart leases are normally obtainable! The grand prize Poker Hand winner will take house $1,777. Plus, be prepared for an opportunity to win a 2023 VALOR EX 1 Customized Gasoline Golf Cart or $12,000 money via a raffle. All proceeds help future improvement tasks for Madison’s scenic 1.5-mile Riverfront Walkway and winners are chargeable for all taxes. The raffle is sponsored by Madison Riverfront Improvement, a 501(c)(3) group, and in addition advantages present and future Riverfront tasks. For extra particulars or to hire a golf cart, name 513-213-5051 and ask for JD Webster. Extra data will be discovered at: https://www.madisonriverfront.net/events.
Even Mayor Bob Courtney, who lives downtown, is a golf cart proprietor. He had this to say, in regards to the metropolis’s fashionable mode of transportation: “Madison’s deal with high quality of life is enhanced not solely by the investments in outside recreation that town is making, but additionally the insurance policies that help multi-modal transportation equivalent to biking and golf carts. Our deal with ‘sharing the street’ will get folks outside and cultivates a life-style that’s second to none. Whereas our golf cart neighborhood is rising, it’s nonetheless a protected mode of journey and may accommodate the hilltop and downtown components of our neighborhood. My spouse and I take pleasure in residing downtown and driving alongside the riverfront on our golf cart.”
On the similar time, Madison residents have blended feelings about permitting golf carts on the streets.
The negatives, of which many got here from non-owners of carts, ranged from underage drivers “pleasure using” unsupervised by adults, to drivers not obeying widespread visitors legal guidelines (particularly not stopping at cease indicators), driving at night time with out lights, and observing consumption from open alcohol containers. Additionally they cited that golf carts do not need the dimensions presence of automobiles and vehicle drivers have a tough time seeing and taking note of them, youngsters usually are not seated safely and may have security belts and/or helmets and carts don’t aways park appropriately.
One involved citizen, who grew up using in and driving golf carts, said that an space the place she lives, that’s frequented by golf carts, is unsafe. “My concern is with Hatcher Hill being unmonitored. The quantity of youngsters and intoxicated drivers on the hill in any respect hours has turn out to be harmful. The path is meant to be open from daybreak to nightfall. There are not any lights. There are blind spots. There may be not wherever for walkers to go if two carts occur to fulfill. I can’t inform you what number of occasions I’ve needed to soar off into the ditch with my canine for a driver not paying consideration. The hill was fulfilling and an excellent supply of train. It was a staple for bodily and psychological well being in my life. Now it’s a supply of stress.”
The positives of cart possession and operations had been plentiful. Nearly all of feedback got here from cart homeowners/operators and ranged from: carts help handicapped people in mobility and save on gasoline and emissions. Their slower speeds result in much less racing, arts function extra quietly than automobiles and bikes, are straightforward to park and maneuver, cut back visitors congestion, facilitate a extra social atmosphere, and are festival- and family-friendly.
Charity Bladen identified, “They’re small and handy, particularly for the festivals. Parking is simpler, too. The gasoline is means cheaper as effectively. To not point out the all-around enjoyable my boys have using on their grandpa’s. It jogs my memory of the 90s and early 2000s once we’d journey our bikes to fulfill up with associates, however now they’re golf carts.”
A number of different feedback identified that carts enable for Madison to be loved and appreciated at a slower tempo, from the murals and historic structure to the flower gardens and riverfront. Cart operators may go locations cars can’t, just like the slender alleys and paths that aren’t an excellent match for different autos.
No matter an individual’s stance, golf carts appear right here to remain in Madison. That includes obeying the identical visitors legal guidelines as different autos, sharing the identical streets and all autos being conscious of security.
