A seemingly straightforward proposal by Mayor Justin Bibb to allow businesses to operate golf cart shuttles in Cleveland has unexpectedly unleashed a torrent of calls from residents clamoring to drive their own personal golf carts around Cleveland neighborhoods.
Today in Ohio podcast hosts are trying to understand the passion.
City Councilman Mike Polensek has found his office flooded with calls from enthusiastic residents — all desperate to get permission to cruise city streets in their own personal golf carts.
“As news of this idea has gotten out around town, Polensek says he’s been getting all sorts of calls from people in neighborhoods like Ohio City, Tremont, Detroit Shoreway who want the ability to ride their own golf carts around their neighborhoods,” explained Courtney Astolfi. “Polensek said he’s just had lots of folks reach out interested in this.”
The revelation left podcast host Chris Quinn bewildered. “I’m so thrown by the desire by people to ride these things,” Quinn said. “I always thought this is just dumb. It’s the lazy person’s way of getting around. And yet when we were talking about this yesterday, Courtney, you were talking about how much fun you had riding around in one. So, this whole trend is going right over my head.”
What makes the story more interesting is that Bibb’s proposal was never intended for personal use. The legislation, which Cleveland City Council recently advanced, would allow businesses to operate golf cart shuttles primarily as a downtown service for sporting events and tourism. Polensek has had to issue a public statement clarifying that the city isn’t planning to allow personal golf carts or rental operations similar to those on Lake Erie islands.
Laura Johnston offered a psychological explanation for the phenomenon: “I think that’s why people like them, because they feel like they’re on vacation. It gives you that little freedom feel.”
The podcast hosts had a field day imagining the practical challenges of golf carts on Cleveland’s notoriously potholed streets, especially during winter months. While small communities like Huron in Erie County have embraced golf carts, Cleveland’s urban environment presents significant safety concerns.
“You can cruise around, you can feel the wind in your hair, but you can kind of see where that’s not really going to fly well and play well with traffic,” noted Astolfi. “Cars fly down city streets. I see big, big safety issues here if they were allowed to open up citywide.”
Will the unexpected public response will influence city officials to expand the legislation? The passionate reaction reveals something about Clevelanders’ desire for alternative transportation options that feel more fun and less formal than traditional vehicles.
Listen to the podcast here.
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