"We have a handicap citizen who is requesting to use a standard golf cart on our paved bike trails which like many are 10’ wide. We have traditionally told him and others “no.” We do permit motorized scooters and wheelchairs on our paved trails as we consider this “reasonable accommodations.” According to Federal law we are prohibited from discriminating against disabled individuals who use an unlicensed motorized conveyance. The ADA includes golf carts as an acceptable mobility device along with motorized scooters and wheelchairs. These conveyances are not licensed and therefore can not operate in the public right-of-way. According to ADA we are required to provide reasonable accommodation for citizens with disabilities as long as that accommodation does not alter the nature of the service, program or activity that we offer. I believe golf carts would significantly alter our trail usage and raises concerns for me about safety (width of golf cart, speed of golf cart, etc.). Our trails are congested now and I can’t imagine what will happen if we add golf carts to the mix. Our City Attorney disagrees with me and he states there is no evidence or other factual basis to deny golf carts on the trail. Of course, allowing golf carts on the trail will open the door to allow them anywhere in the park system when used by disabled individuals. The next challenge will be Segways.
I am curious if any of you have any experience with this issue or have had similar challenges in your communities. We have spoken to DOT and DNR officials and they are not aware of this issue surfacing anywhere else. Currently, the DNR prohibits golf carts on State trails.
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