News Summary
Cleveland is evaluating a new transportation initiative that would allow approved businesses to operate golf carts for short rides and tours. Mayor Justin Bibb’s proposed legislation aims to enhance local business operations while prioritizing public safety with regulations that require annual inspections, licensing fees, and operational restrictions. While interest among local businesses grows, concerns regarding traffic, safety, and financial implications also emerge. The fate of this initiative will hinge on upcoming committee assessments and a final council vote.
Cleveland is considering a new transportation initiative that may change how local businesses operate. Mayor Justin Bibb has proposed legislation allowing businesses to operate golf carts on city streets specifically for tours and short rides to patrons. The Cleveland City Council has already approved an amended version of this legislation during a public safety meeting, but it must undergo another committee meeting and a final council vote before becoming law.
This proposed legislation mandates that golf carts undergo yearly inspections and adhere to specific traffic restrictions. Each vehicle would require an annual licensing fee of $150. Under the current proposal, golf carts will exclusively be permitted on streets where speed limits are under 35 mph and they cannot exceed a speed of 25 mph. Moreover, only drivers employed by the approved businesses can operate the golf carts; unauthorized rentals are not allowed.
Public safety officers are also considering establishing “no-go zones,” where golf carts would not be allowed to travel. Furthermore, the legislation requires that all golf carts display the operating business’s name for identification purposes. As part of the safety criteria, each golf cart must feature essential elements such as brake lights, seat belts, and turn signals.
Some city council members have raised concerns about potential issues arising from the introduction of golf carts, citing past issues with nuisance drivers, including dirt bikes. Traffic commissioner Gordon Holmes initially expressed reservations but acknowledged that allowing golf carts may help alleviate road congestion.
There’s growing interest among local businesses to utilize golf carts for transportation services. Companies like Bob’s Bike Tours and The Golf Cart Girl Cleveland are eager to take advantage of this new option. Bob’s Bike Tours is looking to provide golf cart tours tailored for individuals who are unable to bike, while The Golf Cart Girl Cleveland intends to offer short rides to events like Cleveland Browns and Cavs games, operating similarly to ride-sharing services like Uber and Lyft. Notably, the owner of The Golf Cart Girl Cleveland had previously operated without permits earlier this year but has since worked towards legalizing the business following a city shutdown.
Unlike personal use of golf carts, which may be considered in the future, Cleveland intends to prioritize business regulations for now. State law allows golf carts to be street legal, but the specific rules governing their operation fall to local authorities to establish.
Concerns also exist regarding the financial implications of introducing golf carts as an alternative mode of transport. City parking revenues may see a potential impact, as patrons might opt for golf carts instead of traditional parking solutions. However, it is anticipated that most golf cart usage will remain concentrated near downtown areas due to limitations in speed and battery life.
The legislation marks an important step in Cleveland’s transportation landscape, highlighting the city’s willingness to innovate while balancing safety concerns. As the Council prepares for further discussions, the fate of golf cart operations in the city lies in the committee’s upcoming evaluations and the subsequent council vote.
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Additional Resources
- Cleveland.com: Golf Carts May Soon Cruise Cleveland Streets
- Wikipedia: Cleveland
- Cleveland19: Veteran-Owned Golf Cart Girls Changing Cleveland Transportation
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Ohio
- News 5 Cleveland: 4-Year-Old Found in Tuskawaras County Lake
- Google Search: Golf Carts in Cleveland
- USA Today: Mom Crashes Golf Cart at Atwood Lake
- Google Scholar: Cleveland Transportation Initiatives
- Spectrum News 1: Father & Son Found Dead in Tuscarawas County
- Google News: Cleveland Golf Carts
Author: STAFF HERE CLEVELAND WRITER
CLEVELAND STAFF WRITER The CLEVELAND STAFF WRITER represents the seasoned team at HERECleveland.com, your premier source for actionable local news and information in Cleveland, Cuyahoga County, and beyond, delivering "news you can use" with in-depth coverage of product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news impacting the region—backed by years of expert reporting and robust community input, including local press releases and business updates, while providing top reporting on high-profile events like the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductions, Cleveland International Film Festival, and holiday parades, alongside key organizations such as the Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland Orchestra, and Great Lakes Science Center, plus leading businesses in manufacturing and healthcare like Sherwin-Williams and University Hospitals, and as part of the broader HERE network including HEREDayton.com, offering comprehensive, credible insights into Ohio's vibrant landscape. HERE Cleveland HERE Dayton
