SGI taking a swing at allowing golf carts on municipal roads

A pilot project in the works will take a practice swing at allowing golf carts to operate as vehicles on municipal roadways.

But even though the project is currently in the works, SGI spokesperson Tyler McMurchy said golf carts won’t be taking up a lane on Ring Road or Circle Drive anytime soon.

A resolution was passed last week at the Saskatchewan Urban Municipalities Association’s annual convention advocating for more freedom for municipalities to allow golf carts to be used on roadways.

The resolution aims to give municipalities the leeway to choose whether residents within their communities can drive golf carts in their jurisdiction. Further, municipalities want the ability to design rules around the carts according to what’s best for their own constituents.

McMurchy said there is currently a way for municipalities to allow golf carts on public roads, but only under very defined circumstances. He said a municipality can currently pass a bylaw to that effect, but it must comply with certain best practices and be approved by SGI before it can be enforced.

Those bylaws must also include certain stipulations, like allowing transportation via golf carts only to and from golf courses using the most direct route.

As a result of the association’s request, McMurchy said SGI is looking into the expanded use of golf carts, subject to some safety requirements.

McMurchy said the goal is to strike a balance between safety and the convenience of allowing residents to use the smaller, less-expensive and quieter form of transportation to get around their communities.

“(It) seems to be that it’s envisioned for use in resort communities, not necessarily driving down Eighth Street in Saskatoon in a golf cart,” McMurchy said.

The spokesperson said a pilot project is currently under development at SGI.

McMurchy said the move would have some similarities with the recent changes around e-scooters, which allows municipalities to opt in to allow the new personal transportation option. Like e-scooters, the golf cart pilot would permit carts to “be on certain public roads subject to certain public safety requirements.”

Rules would differ slightly with golf carts, however, because the rules already governing golf carts are not the same as those for e-scooters.

Current rules around golf carts allow for their use where bylaws are present, but restrict their use to municipal roads and only for transportation to a golf course on the most direct route. Drivers must at least have a valid class 7 driver’s licence, which is a learner’s licence, with a minimum of $200,000 in third-party liability insurance. Also, the carts can only be driven during the day.

McMurchy said the foremost concern with the project is safety.

“Any rule changes would have to very much account for that,” he said.

McMurchy explained that SGI will work with municipalities to determine risks and concerns with the project and take those into account.

He said SGI will also look to other areas making similar changes, like B.C., which is currently piloting the use of neighbourhood golf carts in a move mainly targeted at senior communities.

While SGI won’t follow exactly what another jurisdiction has done, McMurchy said considering those results may help inform what route Saskatchewan ultimately takes with the project.