Golf Carts in Broadlands?

Does anyone know if there are any restrictions on having a golf cart and driving it around in Broadlands?

 

Regardless of any regulations by the HOA, I think the difficulty is that there is not a good continuity of the asphalt trail network. In many places, you'd be required to drive on a sidewalk (not wide enough) or a street (not safe enough).

I grew up in Peachtree City, GA, which in fact was built around 75+ miles of golf cart paths, specifically for anyone to use (not just golfers). You could go to the park, church, store, McDonalds, etc. on your golf cart. But there was an understanding/expectation of golf carts, so if you were driving on the street for some reason, it wasn't uncommon. I think if someone were to start driving golf carts up here, even on HOA streets, it would cause more confusion/distraction and could cause safety issues.

I would love to have a golf cart up here, but I doubt it would ever happen. We just returned from PTC, and I have to say it's one of the best things ever thought of for a city.

 

Fairly sure they are not allowed on public streets.

We do not see any ATV's on the roads so I seriously doubt golf carts are allowed either.

 

I'm pretty sure tags are required for motorized vehicles to operate on streets.

 

I'll chime in here. Golf carts are illegal to drive on streets in VA, unless it is a gated community where traffic is controlled, perhaps like Belmont Country Club (if they use them there, don't know).

Now, the Chrysler dealer in Leesburg is a certified GEM dealer. GEM's are basically glorified golf carts, fully electric with six rechargable batteries located under the seat, and capable of carrying up to eight passengers (depending on model) at a top speed of 25mph. They have a range of approximately 30 miles per charge. They are also legal to use in Virginia on any road posted 35mph or lower. They are equipped with head/taillights, windshield wipers, a horn, and must have Virginia tags, registration, and annual inspections (but no emissions inspection HAHAHA!). They are purchased mostly by colleges for use around campus (UMD and VMI are owners), the National Park Service down on the Mall and other memorial sites, and horse farms. Down south, many are used at retirement communities and gated communities.

Now for the bad news. They are not very reliable, are expensive ($8K up to $15K+) and require specialized training to maintain due to the high voltages present -- not for the do-it-yourselfer. At present, I know of exactly ONE mechanic in VA, MD, DC, and PA combined certified to perform warranty work on them. Oh yea, if it breaks down, you need to own either a truck & trailer to pull it to Leesburg, or keep a tow company on speed dial. There is no air conditioning, but they do have stereos and heaters.

Here is the link to their website:

http://gemcar.com/

Bottom line: I have first hand experience with these vehicles, stay away...stay FAR away.

 

Thanks for the feedback everyone! Sounds like the golf cart is not an option. Too bad. I'd like to find a way to do the normal errands - grocery, dry cleaning, etc. - without cranking up the car and burning gas. Broadlands seems like the perfect community for this sort of thing.

 

Now that's an option I can agree with!!

 

Looks like somebody else had the same idea

http://www.myfoxdc.com/myfox/pages/...n=3&locale=EN-US&layoutCode=TSTY&pageId=3.2.1

 

DCdavis - My SIL and BIL live in Peachtree City and we've visited them several times...what an awesome community. They live right on the 6th tee of one of the golf courses! It's pretty cool the way everyone gets around in their golf carts!

 

Tyger-

Great to hear! I spent my entire life there until I went to college - it was hard not to go back. My parent's house backs up to one of the lakes, and it's almost like heaven when we go visit. We could literally sit on their back porch all day long. They (the city/developer) did a fantastic job of preserving trees, greenbelts, and of course the golf cart idea. I keep telling myself that I'll end up back there sometime in the future.

 

I agree - it's an awesome place. My relatives really like it...especially since they're golfers. Since I grew up in the North - it's too hot and humid for me during the summer, but a nice place to visit.