Potential ordinances from three small towns, one in Colorado, another in Kansas, and a third in Canada demonstrate the different trends occurring regarding road use laws for STOVs. The different contexts for the vehicle use and the different goals of the local community dictate which trend a municipality follows.

In Nederland Colorado the governing body is reviewing an ordinance that allows NEVs/LSVs on local roads but excludes ATVs.  Meanwhile in Garden City, Kansas the city commission has passed an ordinance allowing “micro utility” vehicles on local roads as long as they have roll cages, head and tail lights, turn signals and seat belts. In Powell River, British Columbia the city council is considering an ordinance allowing LSVs and proponents make a point that golf cars and ATVs are not included.

In Nederland they point to decreasing noise and improving air quality. In Garden City the likely impetus is the use of vehicles by farmers and such that occasionally need public road access for work purposes. In Powell River proponents are trying to get the city to catch up to other municipalities in the province that have passed similar ordinances. The stumbling block is that in Canada NEVs/LSVs are only legal on roads with speed limits up to 40km/hr but most of the city’s streets have 50 km/hr speed limits. A common thread in all three is the importance of safety and basic safety features for the vehicles.  Learn more:  Westernkansasnews.com  Themtear.com  Hqsunshineoast.com