Golf carts: Start your engines

May 27--On Monday, golf carts officially start rolling near -- but not in -- downtown Ocala.

The plan, originally conceived as a way to bring more people to the area's shops and restaurants, eventually excluded the slow-moving vehicles from most of downtown due to concerns over traffic and parking.

Still, golf cart owners are free to navigate a swath of southeast Ocala, including most of the historic district. Residents can park the carts near downtown within walking distance of the square.

But there are rules before setting out.

All golf carts require a one-time registration with the city. The $30 cost of the registration offsets the cost of maintaining the information that law enforcement will use to determine ownership in the event of an accident or theft. Information on how to register the carts is available online or by calling 629-8421.

Also, operators of the vehicles must hold a driver's license or a learner's permit. Licensing rules mirror those for regular motor vehicles.

The Ocala City Council approved the golf cart ordinance in December and adjusted the boundaries in January during its regular public meetings.

The cart boundaries include East Silver Springs Boulevard to the north, Southeast 17th Street to the south, Watula Avenue to the west and Southeast 25th Avenue to the east. Carts are barred from the boundary roads, except a small part of Watula, and from Fort King Street.

Carts are only allowed on Watula from just south of Fort King to Southeast Fourth Street to allow access to the Ocala Downtown Farm Market. The city parking garage on Fort King is closed to carts. Parking is available in the City Hall lot, 110 SE Watula Ave., or the Customer Service Center lot, 201 SE Third St.

Not everyone was happy about the new ordinance.

"It's a horrible accident waiting to happen....which it will. And law enforcement will have to waste their time with this instead of more important things in the city," commented Jennifer Tuten on the City of Ocala's Facebook page.

Mike Carey, however, pointed out that several public parks lie within the cart zone.

"These carts make it possible for people to ride to those and other outside activities. Much safer than a bike in my opinion," Carey commented.

The cost of installing new signs along approved golf cart roads was $45,000. A yearly cost of $4,500 is expected for maintenance and sign replacement.

The city ordinance also allows low-speed vehicles and mini trucks to operate in the same zone. They also require city registration.

The ordinance defines a golf cart as a vehicle with a top speed of not more than 20 mph. A low-speed vehicle has a top speed of not more than 25 mph. A mini truck has a top speed of up to 55 mph but is not deemed "street legal" by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

The ordinance bars golf carts from traveling or parking on sidewalks or other public or private property and must always yield to pedestrians. Golf carts must use designated parking areas.

All other golf cart regulations follow the state law, including allowing operation from sunset to sunrise -- unless the golf cart has headlights, brake lights and a windshield. Seat belts are not mandatory in golf carts.

Low-speed vehicles and mini trucks must have lights, seat belts and other safety equipment. Those vehicles require registration and insurance.

The city plans a golf cart clinic on June 6 for those with questions about the new rules. The clinic will run 10 a.m.-1 p.m. at the Customer Service Center parking lot. City staff and the Ocala Police Department will be on site.

Contact Carlos E. Medina at 867-4157 or [email protected]

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