City will consider golf cart path
By Gordon Jackson| Morris News Service
Saturday, July 26, 2008

ST. MARYS --- It's illegal to drive a golf cart on any sidewalk in St. Marys, but that could soon change.

Some other Georgia communities, such as Peachtree City, already allow carts on paths that run from homes to stores to entertainment venues as a way to set a casual lifestyle. But rising gas prices are prompting others to consider the move since a 20-mile charge of an electric cart costs only 38 cents -- a positive trend for cart manufacturers in Augusta and Newnan, where Club Car, Yamaha and E-Z-Go are based.

City officials in St. Marys will consider a proposal Monday to designate a sidewalk on Point Peter Road a multiuse path for pedestrians, bicycles and golf carts. It would still be illegal to drive carts on other sidewalks.

Residents have no legal way to drive their golf carts downtown to shop, dine or visit the waterfront area because it's against city law to drive a cart on a road with a speed limit higher than 35 mph.

"There are some golf carts doing it now, and they are doing it in jeopardy," said Doug Vaught, the spokesman for a local association of golf cart owners.

Mr. Vaught said he recently delivered a petition signed by more than 100 people urging the City Council to approve the proposal.

The concept will work on Point Peter Road, Mr. Vaught said, because the sidewalk is 8 feet wide, allowing carts traveling in opposite directions to pass each other.

"As gas prices continue to go up, we can expect more golf-cart traffic," he said.

Councilman Greg Bird said city officials have the option of lowering the speed limit to make it legal to drive carts on Point Peter Road. But city officials, including Mr. Bird, believe it will be safer to route cart traffic on the sidewalk.

Reader Comments
Note: Comments are not edited and don't represent the views of The Augusta Chronicle. Please read our full comments policy. To report a post that may be inappropriate, click the icon.
Your comment will be attributed to
YOUR MESSAGE:
You have 1200 characters left.


advertisement

advertisement

TopJobs


Augusta-area Top Jobs
Driver Pick Up & Transport >NO EXP NEEDED $-400 | wk < Permanent Provide towing and roadside assistance in safe manner. Call (706)868-6800 Full & Part Time Positions Available with Great Local Co Pr... (more)
Community Director needed for a Class A Tax Credit Property. Exceptional team member will have 3-5 years of Property Management experience. Yardi Knowledge is a plus fax resume 706-869-0600 (more)
Admin Office Coordinator $15-19 | hr for Full Time Permanent Position with Great Benefits. Call 706.868.6800 for more details on this position. Pro Resources $185 J#197 (more)


© 2009 The Augusta Chronicle|Terms of service|About our ads|Help|Contact us|Subscribe|Local business listings


advertisement
advertisement