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By Ian Gustafson

Next steps

Sylvan Lake town council approves potential golf cart bylaw, provincial approval still needed

Oct 16, 2025 | 1:38 PM

Sylvan Lake town council has passed second and third readings of a new golf cart bylaw.

The resolution was approved by a vote of 6-1, with councillor Jas Payne opposed.

He said at the regular council meeting on Oct 14, he’s opposed because of safety issues citing insurance challenges.

“We are not a quiet, quaint little town anymore, we’re a city with vehicles that move quickly, we’re a city with vehicles that are large. If you look at the streets, 40 per cent of the vehicles on our streets are trucks. I just think visibility is an issue, safety features are an issue, and having these vehicles compete for road space on our streets is asking for a catastrophic end,” he said.

“For me, I see the damage that’s going to happen, and I don’t think it might happen, I think it will happen.”

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However, council passing second and third readings doesn’t mean Sylvan Lakers can start driving golf carts on public roads quite yet, but rather it begins the process of potential approval.

The town will now seek approval from the Government of Alberta’s Registrar of Motor Vehicle Services, and if approved, the bylaw will become active. The town is currently looking to participate in the provincial government’s five-year pilot project to allow golf carts on municipal roadways.

The potential bylaw exempts golf carts from certain requirements under the Traffic Safety Act that prevents them from driving on public roadways. All other rules under the Traffic Safety Act, including impaired driving, would still apply.

If it is approved, the pilot project would be for Sylvan Lake residents only, and they would only be allowed to drive the golf carts on municipal roadways at a maximum of 40 kilometres per hour. This means golf carts would not be allowed to be driven on Highway 20, Highway 11A, Memorial Trail, and 60 Street. However, the carts may cross over Highway 20, Memorial Trail, and 60 Street at permitted crossings.

(Town of Sylvan Lake)

Motorists would also need a valid driver’s license, and the carts would need to be equipped with safety features such as lights, signals, seatbelts, and more. Drivers would also need a town permit that has a minimum $2,000,000 liability insurance coverage and $100 annual registration fee for residents.

Mayor Megan Hanson said she’s looking forward to talking to the province about the next steps. She also believes they have enough safety standards in place and loves that it’s for local residents only.

This bylaw will be revisited after the election by the next town council and, if approved by the province, could become active in spring 2026.