The Alberta government said Thursday it’s allowing seven Alberta communities to pilot the limited use of golf carts along municipal roads.
The province says the communities asked for and have been approved to pilot their use, with legislation already in place allowing for it.
“Pilot projects like this allow new and innovative uses of existing or new modes of transportation and expands on municipalities already having the ability to allow registered off-highway vehicles to operate on their roads,” said the province in a Thursday news release.
The southern Alberta town of Coaldale, about 230 kilometres south of Calgary, is one of the first communities to pilot the limited use of golf carts on municipal roads. Its pilot project will last five years.
“Thanks to Alberta’s government our Council will be able to pass a golf cart bylaw that gives residents living near our local golf course the ability to drive their carts to and from the course,” said Coaldale Mayor Jack Van Rijn in a Thursday statement.
The province touted the move as a way of “enhancing the mobility of Albertans and increasing recreational options,” and says pilot projects will allow it to see if there any safety issues that need to be addressed.
“Transportation does not stand still, and Alberta must be ready with forward-thinking ideas on how to test new transportation-related solutions or activities,” said Devin Dreeshen, Alberta Transportation and Economic Corridors minister.
“Off-highway vehicles (OHVs) and e-bikes have been popular with Albertans for years, and pilot projects like this one hold the key to unlocking new modes of transportation for everyone.”
On behalf of its members, Alberta Municipalities has advocated for golf carts to be used on municipal roads.
“Many communities have been asking for this for a few years,” said Tina Jones, Alberta Municipalities director of towns.
The province points out that three provinces — British Columbia, Ontario, and Saskatchewan — already have legislation in place allowing golf carts to be used on select municipal roads.
The other six communities with pilot projects are the County of Lacombe, the Village of Linden, the Summer Village of Whispering Hills, the Town of Delburne, the Village of Acme and Half Moon Bay.