Wheels & Heels: Golf-Carting in Avondale

Avondale Estates residents may be able to drive around most of their city in electric golf carts if an ordinance under consideration is approved.

The city is working on their own version of a model ordinance that was passed by the state, said city planner Keri Stevens. In May, Gov. Nathan Deal signed a new law allowing golf carts that travel up to 20 miles per hour on public roads, so long as a local jurisdiction allows it.

Georgia is home to some of the world's largest manufacturers of golf carts, including Club Car and E-Z-GO, both headquartered in Augusta, Ga.

Think of it! Instead of buying a second car for errands, you could just get a golf cart for local trips. Avondale's set-up isn't as elaborate as that planned community to our south, Peachtree City, which has a 90-mile network of multi-use paths for the carts, pedestrians and bicycles.

But Stevens says Avondale has a unique advantage.

"Our neighborhood is connected by all small local parks," said Stevens, also a community development officer. Most of the city streets are residential and golf carts would provide residents with an "easy mode of transportation without getting into cars."

Golf carts won't be permitted to drive on U.S. Highway 278,  the official designation of the main street going through town, which goes by several other names inlcuding College Avenue, North Avondale Plaza and Covington Highway. But the carts would be allowed to cross it at certain places, Stevens said, under the ordinance in its current form.

The advantage to getting around in an electric golf cart is that they don't burn gasoline and are cheaper to run. Their maximum speed would be 25 mph, making them a bit safer on the roads than faster vehicles.

The city is still deciding how old drivers of the carts would have to be. In Peachtree City, drivers can be as young as 13 if they are accompanied in the front seat by an adult licensed driver, parent, guardian or grandparent.

So far, public reaction to the Avondale Estates ordinance has been positive and members of the board have been supportive, Stevens said. The proposed ordinance may appear on the agenda for the Sept. 21 city commission work session or the Sept. 26 public hearing.

In Decatur, the state's most densely populated city, officials were considering to help residents get around.

Realists must admit that oil prices are never going to be cheap, and smart city officials should look at alternate ways of getting around. Are golf carts in our future?