A town in southern Alberta will be one of the first in the province to allow golf carts on select roads as part of a new provincial pilot program.
The United Conservative Party (UCP) government made the announcement Thursday, stating that Coaldale, located about 10 kilometres east of Lethbridge, will participate in the initiative. The pilot allows limited use of golf carts on town roads and will last for five years, after which the province will evaluate its effectiveness.
“Alberta municipalities have unique transportation needs shaped by their geography and community preferences,” the province said in a news release. The pilot program aims to give municipalities the flexibility to adopt various transportation modes that suit their needs.
Coaldale Mayor Jack Van Rijn welcomed the news, noting that the town council will now be able to pass a bylaw allowing residents living near the local golf course to drive their carts to and from the course.
“It’s a win for everyone involved,” Van Rijn said.
Six other Alberta communities—Lacombe, Linden, Whispering Hills, Delburne, Acme, and Half Moon Bay—have also been approved to participate in the golf cart pilot. Other interested municipalities can submit bylaw proposals to Alberta Transportation and Economic Corridors for consideration.
