Building the LSV-Friendly Environment County by County, City by City

LSV usage can be highly regulated when it comes to driving on public roads. Access to public roads and streets is, and will be, instrumental in expanding the market for LSVs in the short-distance driving segment. In the following, we move from the micro to the macro when it comes to regulations and creating an LSV-friendly environment—particularly with regard to public road access.

The micro: What public roads around my residence are accessible?

The author in the role of a hypothetical new LSV owner: In considering whether to buy an LSV-certified Onward from a Club Car dealer, I would like to know whether one of the main arteries between my residence and shopping destinations is open to low-speed vehicles. I make this trip at least three times a week.

Specifically, I want to know if I can use an LSV on SW 18th Street between Powerline Rd. and Boca Rio Drive. At Boca Rio Drive I make a right turn and proceed to the shopping mall where I buy groceries, deposit and pick up my laundry, and, on occasion, visit a restaurant.

Where to get the information

So, how does one get the information regarding streets and thoroughfares with all LSV traffic? Try an AI tool, such as Microsoft’s Co-Pilot. (This is the one I used, but I cannot vouch for the other similar AI tools.)
The received answer to the inquiry was interesting. CoPilot identified SW 18th Street as LSV accessible because most of it has a posted speed limit of 35 m.p.h., the upper limit on public roads legally accessible by LSVs.

Powerline Road, which SE 18th crosses, is a major north-south thoroughfare in Boca Raton. It is also accessible by LSVs in the segments which are posted at 35 m.p.h. Unfortunately, most of the road is posted at 45 mph, so accessibility is very limited.

So much for getting accessibility information around my neighborhood. But what if I would like to extend accessibility for members of my family and friends who live in different parts of the county and various locations throughout the state? In that case I would appeal to an industry trade association if one exists.

It so happens that one does exist and is growing strong. It’s the Low Speed Vehicle Dealers Association (LSVDA). The website is www.LSVDA.com . This from the LSVDA mission statement: “…We are the leading resource for our members in providing education, development, and advocacy on industry-related issues…”

Let’s move to a broader perspective with hypothetical advocacy initiatives beyond the neighborhood. Here are the logical steps in carrying out a hypothetical lobbying effort to: 1) Increase the mileage of public road accessibility in the county and 2) Liberalize the restrictions on vehicle speed.

Note that this is a hypnotical situation. The LSVDA is not in any way actively engaged at the present time in the efforts described below. Nonetheless the issues seen here are quite relevant in the overall effort of LSV market expansion.

The macro: Addressing local regulations and beyond

How can the Low Speed Vehicle Dealers Association facilitate the growth of the LSV market segment? If we take the example of Florida, we readily see that this State has led the way in LSV market development. Nonetheless, significant market expansion lies ahead, if an aggressive market development program could be put in place. This is something in which the LSVDA would be able to actively assist its dealer membership.

Identify leadership in emobility development

Regulations governing public road access are mainly set at the local level; i.e., by the governing bodies in the county or municipal level. These regulations are most often put in place under broader guidelines set out at the state or national level. Thus, it is important to know who at the local level has the appropriate responsibility. Take for example, Broward County, Florida. The cities of Ft. Lauderdale and Hollywood are in this county.

Who is in charge?

In Ft. Lauderdale the following officials are the key persons to engage in further developing public road accessibility.

1. Gregory Stuart — Executive Director (Strategic Lead for Micromobility)

He is the top decision maker for all MPO mobility initiatives, including micromobility.

2. Paul Calvaresi — Intergovernmental Manager (Operational Lead for Micromobility)

He is the person who actually manages micromobility projects, city coordination, and first/last mile programs.

An action plan for the local area LSV dealerships

There are at least 10 dealerships in and around Ft. Lauderdale that would have a keen interest in expanding LSV access to public roads. The LSVDA could launch a campaign to accomplish this expansion for the benefit of its membership. LSVDA executives would, of course, approach the above individuals in the context of an overall demonstration of the benefits to citizens in the community—both individual LSV owners and the community at large.

Initiatives at the state level

Ten states have a category of golf car-type vehicles designated as medium-speed vehicles, including Texas, Oklahoma, Wyoming, and Montana. Most of the ten states allow speeds of 40-45 mph. Florida is not presently among this coterie of higher-speed states.

Faster speeds could well benefit the market in Florida, but this would have to be negotiated with policy-makers at the state level. Local jurisdictions might override a state provision for MSVs, but that too could be negotiated on an individual jurisdiction basis.

CoPilot conveniently identifies the key committees at the Florida state level that could be approached in furthering dealer interests regarding public road accessibility and speed limits.

Florida legislative committees touching emobility

These committees are where EV and micromobility bills are typically referred, debated, or amended:

Florida House

• Government Operations Subcommittee Handled HB 667, which invoked mobility assist vehicles and is involved in regulatory and infrastructure related issues.

• State Affairs Committee Receives bills related to statewide transportation and regulatory policy.

Florida Senate

• Transportation Committee Primary committee for mobility, EV infrastructure, and roadway policy.

• Commerce and Tourism Committee Touches on economic impacts of EV adoption and related industries.

LSVDA brings broad advocacy experience to the table

While we are at present dealing in a hypothetical campaign, it should be noted that the LSVDA is well-equipped to carry out lobbying operations, with its executive team having many years of experience undertaking such efforts.