NY Times Runs Side-by-Side Safety Story

Today the New York Times published a front page story on side-by-sides, focusing mainly on their safety. The title, “An A.T.V. With Extra Room, and Maybe More Risks, Too“, is a little misleading given that the statistics they present in the story imply that they are less dangerous than ATVs. The story also covers the decline of ATVs, some of the factors driving consumers to switch to side-by-sides and the current efforts by federal regulators to create new mandatory safety standards.  These standards may push vehicles to be wider and lower which could negatively effect their trail-riding ability.  Learn more:  NYTimes.com

Low Speed Vehicle News

DOT Proposes Rear Visibility Rule – The US Department of Transportation recently proposed a new safety regulation to help eliminate blind zones behind vehicles that can hide the presence of pedestrians.  Issued by NHTSA, the new regulation would apply to all passenger cars, pickup trucks, minivans, buses and low-speed vehicles with a gross vehicle weight rating of up to 10,000 pounds.  NHTSA believes manufacturers will install rear mounted video cameras and in-vehicle displays to meet the proposed standards. Learn more:  DOT.gov

US Navy LSV Sales – According to information from the US Navy, to date they have replaced 900 non-tactical vehicles in their fleet with low-speed vehicles.  The purchases are part of their overall alternative fuel vehicle program to convert a large portion of their non-tactical fleet of vehicles, which numbers over 46,000, to various alternative fuels.  Learn more:  Greenfleet.dodlive.mil

Cruise Car To Exhibit LSVs At World Energy Engineering Congress – This week Crusie Car will be exhibiting their All American Solar Electric LSV at the World Energy Engineering Congress being held in Washington DC.  Learn more:  Benzinga.com

Road Use Regulations Roundup – November, 2010

Some themes in this latest regulation roundup:

• More municipalities pass ordinances allowing the use of LSVs on public low speed roads.
• Some municipalities rejecting the use of golf cars and mini-trucks on public roads because of safety concerns while another moves ahead on allowing the vehicles.
• Expanded access on-road and off-road for UTVs

Fresno, CA – A bill passed by the Senate and was later signed by the governor that would allow Fresno to develop a neighborhood electric vehicle plan. A similar bill was signed that would authorize the County of Amador and the cities of Jackson, Sutter Creek, and Amador City, jointly or individually, to establish a similar neighborhood electric vehicle transportation plan.

Sicamous, British Columbia – City council voted not to allow LSVs on roads with speed limits greater than 40km/hr stating liability issues and the fact that the province has not endorsed LSVs yet.

Manitoba, CA – The provincial transportation department will be testing an LSV for performance in cold weather conditions as a precursor to potentially allowing LSVs on low speed provincial streets.

Platteville, IA – City council approved the use of LSVs on city streets.

Hudson, WI – City passes ordinance to allow NEVs on certain streets.

Columbia, IL – City council voted to allow the use of LSVs on local roads despite the police chief’s concern over safety.

New Westminster, Canada – The city is amending their laws to allow LSVs on low speed streets.

Madison, GA – City council decided not to allow golf cars on city streets.  the council previously passed an ordinance allowing LSVs on the streets.

Southern Shores, TX – Town council decided against allowing golf cars to be driven on city streets with the police chief citing accident statistics regarding golf cars and the lack of safety features.  The town does allow LSVs.

Faribault, MN – City council is looking to ease restrictions on driving golf cars and mini-trucks on city streets.

Chadron, SD – City council voted to allow UTVs on city streets under the same rules that currently apply to ATVs.

Duluth, MN – City council voted to not allow mini-trucks on public roads.

Iowa – The Iowa Department of Natural Resources is opening three of their eight off-highway vehicle parks to utility vehicles.

LSV Taxi Services Meeting Resistance From Traditional Taxis

In both Tampa, FL and Austin, TX taxi services using low-speed vehicles are bumping into legal and regulatory obstacles as they encroach upon the turf of traditional taxis.  The LSV taxi services are typically offered for free in a limited downtown area but drivers may accept tips and the vehicles sell advertising space on the vehicles.  Local businesses or business associations such as hotels and tourist destinations in the service area may offer support as well.

In Tampa the Hillsborough County Public Transportation Commission ruled that since tips and advertising revenue were involved the taxi service must be regulated and permitted by the county agency.  This ruling coincides with a similar ruling by a circuit judge regarding the taxi service.

In Austin Capital Cruisers, already in business, and e-Cars, planning to start a taxi service, are waiting for the city council to include LSVs in the local regulations to legalize their use as taxis.  The local transportation commission had recommended such action in the beginning of the year. In the meantime, Capital Cruisers is spending money fighting frequent traffic tickets and other legal battles with the city.

In both cities the local taxi associations are trying to either stop the services from being offered, or at a minimum, have them comply with the similar regulations. Learn more:  TBO.com

Learn more:  ABJentrepreneur.com

Update: A similar issue is occurring in Houston, TX as well with Rev Eco-Shuttle owner Erik Ibarra waiting for the city to pass ordinances and provide permits for his low speed-vehicle taxis.  Learn more:   Swamplot.com

NHTSA Proposes Requirement To Prevent Vehicle Rollaway

According to Trailer-bodybuilders.com:

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) proposing to place a requirement in the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) that motor vehicles 10,000 lbs. gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) and below, excluding walk-in vans with an automatic transmission that includes a “park” position, manufactured for sale after Sept. 1, 2010 be equipped with a brake transmission shift interlock (BTSI).

This interlock will require that the service brake pedal be depressed before the transmission can be shifted out of “park” and will function in any starting system key position.

NHTSA is issuing this document in response to a statutory mandate in the Cameron Gulbransen Kids Transportation Safety Act of 2007.

Based on changes to which type of vehicles would be covered by the regulation, low-speed vehicles would have to meet this proposed requirement. Learn more:  Trailer-bodybuilders.com

Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Ends Utility Vehicle Pilot Program

Wisconsin’s Department of Natural Resource’s (DNR) pilot program that allowed utility vehicles to use ATV trails in five counties ended on September 30th. The results of the program must be reported to the legislature by January 1, 2010.  The five counties involved include Florence, Sawyer, Marinette, Lincoln, and Washburn.  Learn more:  wkowtv.com

Comment: The potential opening of more trails is important to the utility vehicle market.  The relative lack of trail access compared to ATVs is one reason some people point to as why utility vehicle sales may never surpass ATVs, although they have been stealing market share from ATVs over the years. – Marc Cesare

Tampa Allows Free NEV Service To Return

The Hillsborough County Public Transportation Commission voted to rescind their earlier decision that effectively stopped NEVs from being offered for free transportation.  The vehicles charged no fee for short rides in the downtown area but sold advertising and allowed drivers to accept tips.  The service angered local taxi drivers and the commission passed an earlier ruling halting the service.  There is some disagreement over the commission’s right to regulate the vehicles since they may not technically be taxis since they are free.  The commission is trying to obtain a legal ruling in that regard, and establish some regulatory procedures.  While that process moves forward, they are asking NEV operators to voluntarily follow some safety and insurance guidelines.  Learn more:  Tampabay.com

Road Use Regulations Roundup – May

Some trends in this latest regulation roundup:

• Some cities are expanding road use regulations to include golf cars
• NEV road use ordinances continue to be passed by local municipalities although safety concerns remain an issue for some
• Demand is in increasing for allowing utility vehicles and mini-trucks on public roads
• Another state looking to adopt a medium speed vehicle law

North Carolina – Bill in the state assembly would add Currituck and New Hanover counties to a state law that allows golf cars on streets in several resort communities.

Pontiac, IL – Ordinance being drafted that would allow the use of modified golf cars as NEVs.

Normal, IL – Considering an ordinance allowing the use of NEVs on city streets.

Merrill, WI – City council passed an ordinance allowing the use of NEVs on city streets.

Colorado – House passed a bill that would allow NEVs on public highways.

Palm Desert, CA – Safety concerns have stalled a bill in the state legislature that would broaden the use of NEVs on city streets.

Minnesota – Legislation has passed both the state house and senate that would allow counties to permit the use of mini-trucks, but not on interstate and state highways.

New York – The state DMV issued an opinion that utility vehicles are not allowed on roads or ATV trails unless the law is changed.

New Strawn, KS – City council approved an ordinance that allows work-site utility vehicles and micro utility vehicles to be driven legally on city streets.

Cushing, OK – Passed an ordinance regulating the operation of mini bikes, golf carts, ATVs and utility vehicles on the streets and highways of the city.

Utah – Cities are debating allowing the use of mini-trucks on public roads. Since they are classified as street legal ATVs there is concern about allowing the use of all types of ATVs.

Oregon – Governor has introduced a transportation bill that creates a medium speed vehicle designation aimed at increasing the adoption of NEVs

Road Use Regulations Round Up

This round up features some action in Canada, Wisconsin, Colorado and some other states as well as signs of growing interest in medium speed vehicle regulations.

Grand Chute, WI – Town asking state for help regarding the use of NEVs on some of the many roads under state jurisdiction that criss-cross the city.

Loveland, CO – House Bill 1026, which would allow neighborhood electric vehicles on public highways, passed the Judiciary Committee and will be going to a House vote.

North Vancouver, Canada – City council rejects staff recommendations to wait for additional LSV safety standards before allowing vehicles on roads.

Sedona, AZ – Public transportation commission recommends feasibility study to look at NEVs as a public transportation option.

British Columbia, Canada – Motor vehicle regulations amended to allow incidental use of roads by utility vehicles during their normal off-road use.

Kennebunk, ME – ZAP Xebra three-wheeled truck doesn’t pass registration as a motorcycle and therefore cannot be legally driven. Amendment to address issue in process.

Flower Mound, TX – Transportation commission is urged to look at LSV regulations in anticipation of increased usage of the vehicles.

Denver, CO – State Senate bill aims to create uniform road use regulations for LSVs

South Daytona, FL – After a favorable feasibility study, city officials are moving ahead on allowing golf carts to be used on city streets.

Manitoba, Canada – Manitoba province is looking at enacting similar legislation as Ontario and Quebec to allow LSVs on public roads.

Merrill, WI – City officials are drafting legislation to allow NEVs on public roads with speed limits of 35mph or less

Medium Speed Vehicle Regulations – At the end of February nine states were considering medium speed vehicle laws: Hawaii, New Mexico, Kentucky, New York, Oregon, South Carolina, Georgia and Colorado. Speed limits proposed ranged from 35mph to 50 mph with most at 45 mph. Five states who have already adopted MSEV laws include Washington, Montana, Minnesota, Oklahoma, and Tennessee.

Connecticut – Some State Representatives are pushing to legalize NEVs

Road Use Regulation Round Up

Cities across the country continue to both pass or reject ordinance regarding LSVs and golf cars. A number of common issues keep surfacing including:

• Safety concerns when mixing LSVs with larger & faster vehicles
• Legality of crossing over state highways
• Allowing golf cars on public roads and grouping these vehicles together with LSVs

On the last point, I believe the LSV manufacturers will need to do a better job differentiating themselves from golf cars. You often hear LSVs/NEVs referred to as “glorified golf carts” or a similar moniker. This only creates confusion and blurs the real safety differences between the two different types of vehicles. This melding of vehicle types and their perceived level of safety, often attributing LSVs with a golf cart level of safety, ultimately makes it harder to pass ordinances allowing LSV use on city streets.

Commerce City, CO – approved revised ordinance allowing the use of NEVs
Deer Park, WA – repealed ordinance allowing golf cars to be operated on city streets
Berthoud, CO – passed ordinance allowing NEVs on the road
Loveland, CO – considering NEV ordinance
Stuart City, FL – failed to pass an ordinance that would allow LSVs and golf cars on designated streets. There were concerns about safety and access because the vehicles cannot cross state highways.
Bismarck, ND – passed ordinance allowing use of LSVs on certain streets
Zion, Il – ordinance allowing the use of LSVs on hold until the city can resolve questions about insurance for the vehicles
Bainbridge, GA – considering ordinance that would allow the use of golf cars on streets
Winter Garden, FL – six month trial period allowing the use of golf cars on city streets

Wausau, WI – the state DOT rejected an ordinance for LSVs, needing to examine state highway crossovers more closely

Canyonville, OR and Ocean City, NJ have moved to forbid the use of golf cars on city streets