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Residents press for golf carts on Alliance streets as police warn of e-bike and sidewalk safety concerns
Summary
Residents urged the council to allow golf carts and UTVs on city streets; Council members expressed enforcement and safety concerns, Police Chief Leavitt urged banning bikes from sidewalks, and the council directed staff and the City Attorney to draft ordinance changes and consider education efforts.
Several residents asked the City Council to consider permitting golf carts and other slow-moving vehicles on Alliance streets, prompting a multi-member discussion about safety, signage and enforcement.
Gunnar Schnell told the Council he supported allowing golf carts within the city. Ross Grant suggested revising speed-limit language in the ordinance to account for streets posted at both 25 and 30 mph and urged placing restrictions and requirements on vehicles. Don Tschacher reported contacting the Nebraska State Patrol and the Nebraska Department of Transportation about allowing side-by-sides on 3rd Street and said both agencies indicated the City could adopt such an ordinance.
Vice Mayor Mashburn said she had safety concerns and noted that allowing golf carts would add enforcement responsibilities for the Alliance Police Department. Council members generally asked staff to prepare ordinance language and potential education programs; Mayor McGhehey asked the City Attorney to review the question of side-by-sides on 3rd Street.
Police Chief Leavitt described enforcement challenges with electric dirt bikes and similar vehicles and said enforcement problems are compounded when riders use sidewalks in the downtown area. Chief Leavitt suggested "no bikes of any kind be allowed on sidewalks," and the Council directed staff to amend the current ordinance and consider continuing educational outreach on Facebook about e-bike safety.
