By MIKE COURSON
Great Bend Post
Laws are constantly being adapted to new technology. Amendments to existing ordinances allow for those amendments. Last month, the city of Hoisington passed ordinances related to the operation of electric bikes and scooters and city streets. Monday night, it was Great Bend’s turn. City Attorney Allen Glendenning presented the proposed changes to the council.
“To address the concerns the city has raised, and the police department has raised, we’ve added local amendments that would restrict the streets in Great Bend on which electric-assisted scooters may be operated to those under 30 miles per hour, impose a helmet requirement on riders and operators under the age of 18, restrict the speed at which electric-assisted scooters may be operated, and impose lighting and braking equipment requirements.”
As part of the adoption of the 2026 edition of the Standard Traffic Ordinance, the council also included other amendments pertaining to golf carts.
“The local amendments we have made are, No. 1, to incorporate the golf cart regulations that were passed by the council back in March,” Glendenning said. “They replace the provision in the STO that simply prohibits golf carts.”
Those regulations stipulated golf carts are not to be operated on city streets from sunset to sunrise, drivers must have a valid driver's license and be at least 18 years of age, and there will be an annual renewal fee of $50.
Other changes prohibit the use of cell phones in school and construction zones unless stopped or using a hands-free device, allow for vehicles engaged in highway construction to display flashing lights of various colors, and allows the removal and impoundment of any vehicle left on the roadway that is interfering with any type of law enforcement activity.