Golf Carts as Arizona’s Ideal Microtransit? 

Hear Me Out

Introduction

Arizona has a unique quirk that many might find comical. But within what might appear funny on the surface lies the kernel of a great idea. In some of Arizona's more golf-centric developments, you can see residents cruising down town streets in golf carts just as they would in a car. And frankly, I think it's brilliant.

At first glance, this may not seem like anything special. But when you take a closer look, you realize that what these residents are doing is unintentionally using microtransit—yes, microtransit, the urban planning buzzword that has been all the rage for years.

But… with a golf cart?

I get it. But hear me out.

While it’s larger than a bike or an electric scooter, a golf cart (or a similar low-speed vehicle) is still far smaller than what most Arizonans drive within our cities today. Not only are they more compact, but they use less fuel as a result. That means fewer fossil fuels being burned right where millions of people are breathing.

Beyond that, Arizona’s cities are spread out, and even if we densified our urban cores, many people would still need personal, high-speed, efficient transportation for certain trips. Full car dependency is unsustainable, but a complete transition to transit and walkability alone isn’t realistic in the short term.

This is where golf carts (or similar low-speed EVs) offer a middle way—allowing people to maintain personal autonomy in transit while significantly reducing its negative impacts.

Implementation: How Would This Actually Work?

The first thing that comes to mind is that surface streets could, of course, be transitioned for this new use relatively easily. Speed limits could be adjusted, and existing car lanes could be repurposed to accommodate low-speed vehicles like golf carts.

But that’s just the beginning.

Reduced lane widths create huge opportunities for urban redesign. Imagine what could be done with all that extra space:

Additionally, lower speed limits would naturally be enforced by the system itself. Golf carts and low-speed EVs aren’t designed to go fast, meaning cities would automatically become safer without the need for aggressive enforcement.

The result? Dramatically fewer serious accidents, safer interactions between pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers, and a quieter, more peaceful urban environment.

What Else Would Need to Happen?

Obviously, not every trip can be handled by a golf cart. There are still longer commutes, regional travel, and high-speed transit needs.

Efficient mass transit would still be necessary, with expanded light rail, commuter rail, and high-speed buses ensuring that people can seamlessly transition from microtransit to regional transit.

Higher housing density would also make this system more viable. Walkable, mixed-use neighborhoods where people don’t need a full-sized car for every task would create the ideal conditions for microtransit to thrive.

And of course, there would need to be legal and zoning adjustments. Some Arizona cities already allow street-legal golf carts, but widespread adoption would require updated regulations, allowing low-speed vehicles on specific main roads while restricting full-sized cars in microtransit-priority zones. Dedicated parking and charging stations would also be essential.

Final Thoughts: A Step Toward a Smarter City

Essentially, what I’m proposing is a middle-of-the-road solution. Arizona’s towns and cities have been built for cars. But transitioning to smaller, low-speed electric vehicles like golf carts could bridge the gap, making urban spaces safer, cleaner, and more efficient.

Of course, this idea would have to be implemented alongside other measures to be practical. Infrastructure changes, updated traffic laws, and designated low-speed lanes would be necessary. But the point of this exercise is to challenge assumptions.

Just because things are a certain way today doesn’t mean they have to stay that way. Systemic infrastructure changes are possible—often at a greatly reduced cost—through creative problem-solving and innovative design solutions