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Westfield leaders are considering a plan to allow golf carts to be driven in more areas throughout the community, but some residents are expressing opposition to the move.
On Monday night, members of the Westfield City Council discussed an ordinance authored by the council that would allow golf carts to be driven on the Monon, Midland Trace and Asa Bales trails, as well as on perimeter paths around neighborhoods where they are not currently permitted.
According to a map of the proposed paths, golf carts would be allowed on the Monon Trail from State Road 32 north to Chatham Hills and on the Midland Trace Trail from just east of Ditch Road to the city limits with Noblesville.
“We’re not considering going south of State Road 32 on the bridge because … the heaviest use of the Monon Trail … is from south of State Road 32 all the way down to Carmel,” City Councilor Jon Dartt said. “That’s where the heavy usage is. That’s where the pedestrians are. That’s where the cyclists are. That’s where the families are.”
Westfield first established its golf cart ordinance in 2011, allowing golf carts to be driven on public roads with a speed limit of 25 mph or less.
The ordinance was expanded in 2018 to include perimeter paths and neighborhood paths, including the eastern portion of the Midland Trace Trail, in the southeast quadrant of the city, mostly around the Bridgewater, Brookside and Oak Manor neighborhoods. Currently, there are about 1,000 registered golf carts in the city.
The revised ordinance introduced Monday would set a 15 mph speed limit on the Monon, Midland Trace and Asa Bales trails. The Asa Bales Trail is at Asa Bales Park near the intersection of North Union Street and East Hoover Street.
“The city, when they passed this ordinance many years ago, it was always supposed to be a short-term pass for a long-term vision of golf carts throughout the city, and past councils didn’t take it up,” Mayor Scott Willis told council members. “And they allowed District 1 to have the freedom of golf carts for the last decade while the rest of the city got to watch and admire that, but not get to have that same freedom.”
Under the proposed ordinance, people who want to drive a golf cart throughout the city would be limited to those with a valid driver’s license or people who are at least 16-1/2 years old. They would be required to register their vehicle, have it inspected by the Westfield Police Department and carry liability insurance.
The first-time cost to register a golf cart would be $100. Renewals every two years would cost $50. Unless someone purchases a new golf cart, vehicles would not need to be inspected after the initial registration.
Registration and permit fees would be deposited into a Westfield Police Department fund and go toward offsetting costs associated with golf cart inspections, permit creation and issuance, permit renewals, enforcement protocols and golf cart and equipment acquisitions.
The city would require golf carts to be equipped with headlights, rearview mirrors, taillights and turn signals. Children who weigh less than 48 pounds who require a child safety restraint seat would not be allowed to ride on a golf cart. Anybody riding a golf cart would be required to wear a seat belt. Golf carts would not be allowed on sidewalks, private trails or in city parks, other than Asa Bales Park. Rule violators could be issued a citation and a fine.
Golf cart parking spots are becoming more common at new developments and buildings in Westfield. The new Westfield Washington Public Library has reserved parking spots for golf carts and the planned Jersey Street development will also feature golf cart parking spots.
Last fall, city officials visited Peachtree City, Georgia. Peachtree City, a community of more than 39,000 residents about 30 miles south of Atlanta, has 13,000 households, 11,000 registered golf carts and 100 miles of golf cart paths. Golf carts have been widely used in the city since the 1950s.
Seven Westfield residents spoke in opposition to the golf cart ordinance at Monday’s meeting, while two residents said they are in favor of expanding golf cart access. Those opposing the proposal discussed safety concerns, limiting the city’s trails to walkers, runners and bicyclists, and the difficulty of enforcing rules against speeding and underage drivers.
“I think it’s dangerous. I don’t think it’s necessary,” Sharon Rice told council members. “Those of us that walk constantly enjoy the peace and the tranquility that you can have getting away from all this (road) construction for five minutes to walk on those trails and not have to worry about getting hit by a golf cart. I’m hearing-impaired. I can’t hear them coming. My mother’s in an electric wheelchair. She can’t get out of the way fast enough.”
City Councilor Victor McCarty said he has “a hard stop” on allowing golf carts on named trails. He is currently against the proposal.
“Those are linear parks, and they should be treated and protected as such for pedestrian use, instead of the golf carts,” McCarty said. “As a resident who has lived on the Midland and currently lives with the Little Eagle Creek in my backyard, if many of my neighbors are against it, then I don’t see how I can be for it, either.”
The Westfield City Council is scheduled to vote on the golf cart ordinance at its next meeting, on May 27.
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Allowing golf carts on trails like the Monon is basically asking for trouble.
Enough with electric anything on the trails. That goes for golf carts and the e-bikers zooming 25mph down the trail as they barely pedal, pretending they are getting a cardio workout.
I’m not convinced that regular bicycles should be allowed on the trails the way some people ride them.
I’m with you there. As someone who uses the Monon on foot regularly (and has been hit twice), I am over bikers riding in tandem to pass me or flying by with no announcement.
There are some careless cyclists that speed along at 20 mph. But I would be much more worried about a 1000 lb + golf cart topping out at 25 mph.
To those parents who allow their children without drivers licenses to operate their golf carts: do you realize you have no insurance coverage for their accidents?
Westfield IN population approximately 59000
Number of golf carts 900
Percentage 1.53%
Golf carts have proven to be a safe and effective means of transportation when used correctly. With proper enforcement and registration this can be accomplished. Most of the golf carts are concentrated in 2 neighborhoods Bridgewater and Chatham. I understand people’s concerns about the trails. How many have used the Midland in the golf cart zone via golf cart? I would suggest taking a ride before forming your opinion.
Found the golf cart dealer!
I have NO interest in seeing the use of Golf Carts increase in my or any other city. Most of the people using them could stand to walk more anyway…