The Miami Springs City Council voted 3 – 2 to direct the City Staff to look at options to expand the usage of golf carts within the city limits. Currently, the only carts that are allowed are LSVs or Low Speed Vehicles that must have lighting, seat belts, license plates, registration, and insurance.
The main concern from city officials discussing golf carts is safety. So let’s talk about vehicles that are currently allowed in Miami Springs:
Bicycles
There’s no doubt that a bicycle always loses versus a car or truck. Bicycles don’t require insurance or registration. Bicycles can be legally ridden throughout our roads (including NW 36th Street and LeJeune Rd) by children. Clearly a regular golf cart is far safer than a bicycle.
Electric Scooters
We’ve all seen them. People who are commuting to and from work using an electric scooter. Some have lights. Some don’t. None of them have a registration or license plate. Obviously an electric scooter on two wheels is more dangerous than a golf cart on four wheels.
Ultimately, the city staff will present recommendations back to the City Council on whether or not to expand the usage of golf carts within our community.
What do you think?
How the Council voted:
Motion: Direct the City Staff to look at options to expand the usage of golf carts within the city limits.
- Councilman Santin: Yes
- Councilwoman Bravo: Yes
- Councilman Fajet: No
- Councilman Vazquez: No
- Mayor Mitchell: Yes
Miami Springs should absolutely prioritize low speed commuting within its city limits, starting with bicycling. Bike lanes, more lighting, and regulation (especially at night and with young adults 16 and under) should be at the forefront in a city that is infinitely walkable, which is unheard of in Miami. Regarding golf carts, their low speeds keep people safe as long as the people behind the wheel are responsible and defer to local traffic laws and regulations.
That said, if the issue is relaxing regulations on golf carts for idiots who want a high-speed “fun” alternative to driving a car, it should be shut down immediately. Riding a bike, scooter, or golf cart remains dangerous as long as idiots remain on the road. We can only make it less dangerous by stopping it before it starts, or imposing consequences on offenders.
We should really poll residents, and perhaps look to other cities (outside of Miami, possibly the US) that have successfully adopted alternative means of transportation within city limits for inspiration. I think Mayor Mitchell understands this.
Not sure what exactly is up for review.