Golf carts aren’t allowed on Lexington city streets, but what about bikes and scooters?
Drivers in Lexington have noticed more golf carts on the road, prompting a wave of complaints from residents and a warning from the city’s police chief that the vehicles aren’t allowed on the city’s streets or sidewalks.
The issue might have you wondering what the rules are around other kinds of vehicles, and where you can and can’t ride bicycles, scooters and skateboards, for example.
Here’s what Kentucky law and Lexington’s ordinances say — or don’t say — about these types of vehicles.
Can you drive golf carts on streets in Lexington?
As reported by the Herald-Leader, complaints about golf carts on the roads are on the rise recently, particularly in the Lansdowne and Chevy Chase neighborhoods.
Kentucky law permits local governments to regulate golf carts on public roads, but Lexington’s local government hasn’t developed an ordinance governing their use.
Still Lexington Police Department Commander Matthew Greenhouse reminded those attending a public work session of the Lexington-Fayette Urban Council Tuesday that golf carts aren’t allowed on the city’s streets or sidewalks.
No one under the age of 16 should be driving a golf cart, Greenhouse added, in spite of some complaints that reported young children operating them.
Complaints about golf carts on Lexington roads are rising. Is it legal to drive there?
Can I ride my bicycle on the street in Lexington?
In Kentucky, bicycles are considered vehicles, and therefore riders have the same rights and responsibilities to follow the rules of the road as other motorists.
The Kentucky Department of Transportation states cyclists should generally obey traffic laws, be predictable, stay alert, look before turning and watch for parked cars.
As for riding on sidewalks, the state agency advises cyclists to review local ordinances about whether that’s allowed. If it is, riders still need to be careful.
Under Lexington’s code of ordinances, anyone on a bicycle, electric bicycle or an electric, motor-assisted scooter must ride as near to the right-hand side of the road as possible and exercise caution when passing standing vehicles or one proceeding in the same direction.
Whenever cyclists come to a designated bike path, they must use the path and not the roadway. Motorized vehicles, like cars, aren’t allowed in bicycle lanes, with the exception being electric bicycles and electric, motor-assisted scooters.
Can I ride my scooter on Lexington streets?
Kentucky law allows electric, low-speed scooters on highways, bicycle lanes and bike paths, provided the person driving it is at least 16 years old.
Lexington defines electric, motor-assisted scooters as a “dockless vehicle.” Dockless vehicles, under the ordinance, also include bicycles and electric bicycles.
Electric bikes and scooters must “abide by all ordinances applicable to bicycles.” They must also follow any applicable state and federal laws. Violations are subject to enforcement by police and carry a penalty “consistent with the relevant ordinance, state law, or federal law.”
Drivers of electric bikes and electric, motor-assisted scooters also aren’t allowed to be in sidewalk areas, except at driveways.
Can I ride my skateboard on Lexington roads or sidewalks?
Lexington’s code of ordinances makes little mention of skateboarding, including whether it’s allowed outside of the city’s designated skate parks.
The Herald-Leader reached out to several city government representatives Wednesday seeking clarification.
Lexington’s skate parks include the following:
Berry Hill Skate Park at 3489 Buckhorn Drive
Kirklevington Skate Park at 369 Redding Road
Valley Park Skate Spot at 2077 Cambridge Drive
Woodland Skate Park at 600 East High St. (No bicycles allowed.)
All skate parks close each evening at dark.
This story may be updated.
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