Should Galesburg allow utility vehicles and golf carts to use city streets?

While it sounds like fun, this is a bad idea. State law prohibits these vehicles on federal and state highways, so that takes out Main, Henderson and Grand, and traffic on most of the other major city arteries moves regularly at or above 35 mph. Golf carts and utility vehicles traveling at that speed would be dangerous to their occupants, given their light weight, openness and lack of restraints, and the congestion caused by traveling at slower speeds could also cause accidents due to driver frustration. And allowing them to use bike lanes would only create the same kind of problem between them and cyclists. 

With most commercial and retail businesses either downtown or only accessible via high-traffic streets, the practical utility of allowing these vehicles would be very small. In addition, most of them wouldn’t meet state requirements without significant modification, as Illinois law requires brake lights, turn signals, rearview mirror, headlights, taillights and warning signage. So, it wouldn’t be just hop in your golf cart and head on down the road. A city ordinance that fully addressed safety issues and limited use to side streets could work in theory, but would require enforcement, and I fear would ultimately be frustrating for all parties. — David Amor

There are some pros and cons to allowing utility terrain vehicles or golf carts on city streets. Current gas prices have forced people to consider alternative methods of getting around. It's important to note that Illinois law doesn't allow for these types of these on public streets or roadways unless local communities specifically permit them. Federal law prohibits modified golf carts exceeding 35 miles per hour. For a community the size of Galesburg, there are no reasons traditional and alternative modes of transportation can't peacefully co-exist.

A selling point for wanting to allow this type of transportation is the lowered cost of ownership and lower consumption of fuel. Eco-friendly transport should be encouraged and would be a welcome addition to modernizing our community. It's worth noting ATVs or motorcycles can emit as much pollution in one hour as over 30 automobiles operating the same amount of time. If Galesburg does decide to permit these vehicles on our roadways there will need to be specific areas where they can operate. — John Hunigan

This idea is not new. These vehicles are permitted in many states and there are towns in Illinois like Pontiac, Kewanee and Canton that allow these vehicles on city streets.  These are not your standard golf cart or utility vehicle. From what I have found, these run from $5,000 to $16,000 in cost for new battery vehicles. Used are considerably less.  Some of the more expensive models could also be driven in winter (enclosed and heated). These vehicles are specifically defined and have to include many of the equipment found on cars: Headlights, turn signal indicator, windshield, brake lights, seat belts, etc. 

You would have to have a driver’s license, insurance and be compliant with all Illinois rules of the road. I read the Kewanee City ordinance No. 4058 which explains these requirements. I suggest the typical naysayer of anything Galesburg proposes take a read of that Kewanee ordinance. I noted in Kewanee’s ordinance that there are some streets that are off limits and none of these vehicles can be driven on state or federal highways. The biggest drawback I see is many of Galesburg’s streets are in horrible condition and like anywhere we have our share of bad drivers. — Stephen Podwojski

The bigger question seems to me who would want to drive a golf cart on a city street? Cars outweigh ATVs and UTVs probably three to one and trucks are even worse. Having ridden a bike in town for several years, I know people often don’t see bikers. They won’t be any more careful about little putt putts.

As a Libertarian, I’m all for people making their own decisions about their safety. But I’m also in favor of people using their heads when they make those decisions. Driving an extremely crushable tin can with a canvas roof and sharing the roads with a Buick Road Monster seems like a losing bet.

The city can do what it wants and so can the golfers who just can’t leave their cart on the course. But as for me, I’ll surf the streets in my skateboard. — Harry Bulkeley

City transportation:UTVs, ATVs, golf carts on city streets? It's being explored by the city of Galesburg

As is sometimes the case with other Roundtable questions, I have mixed feelings about sharing the city streets with golf carts and utility vehicles. Good drivers are already watching out for other cars and for motorcycles and bicycles. In all cases a driver must constantly assess and anticipate the behavior of other drivers and operators, only some of whom follow traffic laws and behave predictably. 

I‘m a little wary any time I pass a bicyclist for fear the rider will hit a stone and fall, or just veer suddenly. As with bicycles, motorcycle riders are similarly vulnerable, especially those who ride without helmets. Careless car and truck drivers can inflict terrible damage to people on bikes and motorcycles, and this will be true for golf carts and utility vehicles as well. This seems to be an idea whose time has come to towns like ours and if the council OKs it will add another set of concerns to driving in Galesburg. I hope it will at least be limited to streets with 30 mph speed limits. — Laurie Muelder

Galesburg entertainment:Roundtable: What are your favorite Galesburg summer events?

Knoxville already allows golf carts on our city streets. Generally, I support the idea, with cautions. The city must have carefully crafted ordinances for vehicle equipment and for the operation on city streets. Lighting is just one example. Appropriate policing procedures and training must be implemented.

Suitable licenses and inspections must be also in place before the vehicle can be used on streets. The state prohibits these vehicles on certain streets/roads for a reason. Most do not have the power to keep up with traffic on highways, so they should keep out of situations where they could impede traffic, potentially leading to accidents. Some cautions have to be taken on the part of the drivers of both these vehicles and drivers of “normal” cars and trucks.

There are some who will abuse the privilege but most seem to observe the rules and do not seem to be a danger.  — Charlie Gruner

One can understand why the ordinance originally sounded like a good idea. But even good ideas need to modified eventually. Who would have expected that small off-road vehicles would become so popular? 

Common sense already allows citizens to drive their lawn tractors down the street to mow another yard — there’s often no other easy or affordable way to transport them a short distance. That has probably been true for golf carts and utility vehicles for a long time — the police have more important problems to deal with, and the neighbors probably don’t care. We don’t need to go looking for problems that don’t really exist. 

There should be limits, of course. Not on main roads, not in parking malls, not anywhere where slow speed and low visibility would be a problem. Also, not driven by children or teenagers.  

An antenna with a small flag might be a good safety feature. — William Urban

The Community Roundtable runs each Sunday and is made up of local writers. Community writers answer one question each week in 150 words or fewer.