[cappyjon431]

Originally Posted by Gil Chapin

I have a GEM that I drive primarily on the paths. The GEM Car club has had representatives from the Sheriff's department speak at meetings and the topic of who can drive where has come up. From what I understood, the paths are private property and as such the deputies will not - usually - interfere with what goes on there. However, if you're on a motor bike going 50 MPH on the paths, they'll probably want to speak to you just because they'd perceive that as reckless or dangerous, not because you exceeded some speed limit. Come to think of it, I don't think I've seen a speed limit posted on the paths. I suspect the expectation is that vehicles will not exceed the expected limitations of their "class" - 20 MPH for "golf carts" and 25 MPH for "low speed vehicles" (the classification of GEM cars).

I'm not aware of any restriction regarding the use of GEM cars on the multi-modal paths (but there may be some brochure I haven't seen...). It's true that there are some locations where the paths are not wide enough for a GEM car and another "golf cart" to easily pass each other in opposition. I simply avoid those locations. One is the Morse Blvd bridge across Lake Sumter. I do use the road for that crossing. I use the paths in general because I'd rather have an accident there than with a motor vehicle on the street.

The deputies will enforce the speed limits on public roads. Fortunately, unless you tinker with it, the GEM car will not likely exceed the speed limit. Plus, it has a speedometer. The speed limit for a GEM car is 25 MPH on any road with a posted speed limit of up to 35 MPH. It can't go on roads with posted speed limits in excess of 35 MPH, but it can cross such a road (i.e., CR 466 or even 27/441) at a light or other similar crossing. If the posted speed limit is 20 MPH, or 15 MPH, then that's the limit. If you do get caught exceeding the speed limit in a "golf cart" (not a low speed vehicle), the result may not be pleasant. You may have to appear before a judge, and the judge may order you to get the cart's speed permanently limited to the its highest permitted speed (most likely 20 MPH) by a certified mechanic. You'd have to bring evidence of that action back to the judge and then face a potentially very stiff fine - all according to the lieutenant who spoke at the meeting.

I chose a GEM car because I felt that "golf carts" were designed for use on a golf course. GEM cars are designed for use on streets - that's where I was more likely to use it. They have "real" four wheel hydraulic brakes and tires intended for street use. They have seat belts and windshield wipers. It's true that other brands may get more miles per charge, but the convenience of an on-board charger system diminishes the importance of that. I also felt that "you get what you pay for..." I've haven't been unhappy with my choice.

I'm not a golfer, but I have heard that certain types of tires may damage turf more than others, so it may be necessary to check to see if your GEM car's tires are acceptable for use on a golf course.

Just my 2 cents worth...

Thanks for your well thought our response. It reiterated what I had heard from other sources. I will continue to use the paths until instructed to do otherwise by a law enforcement official (except where it might be too narrow for two vehicles to pass side-by-side)

As an aside, yesterday my wife and I were traveling on Enrique Drive, on the street, where the posted speed limit was 25 mph. We were going 25 mph (the posted speed limit), when a car came up behind us and laid on the horn. We were going the speed limit! It just about gave my wife a heart attack. It certainly could have caused an accident if another driver might have panicked. Probably another good reason to stick to the paths.