AVALON — Last year, seasonal resident Sean Wolfington’s friend’s son was struck by a car on Seven Mile Island. The boy was flown out and suffered life-threatening injuries. He has since recovered, but that accident left Wolfington thinking.
During the winter, he and his wife and three children live on the island of Key Biscayne, miles off the coast of Miami, Fla.; a place where many residents and visitors drive golf carts instead of cars.
“There is less congestion and a higher level of safety,” Wolfington said. “To me it’s a no-brainer.”
Wolfington decided to see if he could bring a golf cart to Avalon.
“It was a process,” Wolfington said.
A golf cart must be licensed, insured and complete 15 criteria to be considered street legal in the state. It must move between 20-25 miles per hour, may only be used on roads with a speed limit of 25, and must have all of the standard safety features of a car: seatbelts, turn signals, and brake lights, for example.
“Many of the golf carts that meet these requirements are electric powered,” Wolfington said.
“You plug them into an outlet on the wall as you would to charge your cell phone.”
Safety, cost, environment, lifestyle, property values, convenience and speed, were all factors considered, Wolfington said, before the Village of Key Biscayne invited residents to use golf carts.
Wolfington grew up in Philadelphia and spent summers in Avalon most of his life.
His cart is a six-seater, with baby blue carpet and exterior, a fringed top, and CD player.
“It’s a half, or third the size of my car,” he said, ‘it takes up less parking space.”
Though Wolfington’s eco-aware, family-sized cart cost an estimated $18,000, other models he said, are available for $4,000-$7,000.
He said he usually can’t go anywhere in town without people stopping him to ask about the vehicle. He has offered information to inquirers about the lengthy process and remains positive about the possibilities.
“My hope is next year this time, more people will be driving golf carts on this island,” he said.
“The lifestyle is more fun and relaxed. It increases lifestyle and property values.”
His brother Chris, also a long-time summer resident, plans to purchase a cart.
“It comes down to congestion, safety, and the environment. People are always saying there’s nothing we can do to help the environment, but this is something. These carts don’t use gas,” Chris Wolfington said.
His son has built a golf cart Web site at: www.nicecarts.com.
“We use it to get ice cream late at night, take the chairs and toys to the beach, or for a quick trip to get something,” Sean Wolfington said, “Avalon could be that island where everyone drives golf carts. Think about that.”
Contact Gillin-Schwartz at (609) 886-8600 Ext 24 or at: mschwartz@cmcherald.com.
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