- January 13, 2026
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The Winter Garden City Commission unanimously approved a resolution to increase the Golf Cart District to include multiple areas north of West Colonial Drive.
The new map was approved during the commission’s meeting Thursday, Jan. 8. Commissioner Colin Sharman was absent.
Assistant City Manager Steve Pash said the city analyzed its maps of the Golf Cart District and looked at lowering speed limits. A survey was conducted from July 23 through Aug. 31, with a majority of people who responded supporting lowering the speed limits on roads.
The city lowered the speed limits on the roads in November, and staff came forward with the resolution at the meeting with a revised map.
“I’ve been in charge of the Golf Cart District for 14 years now, and we pretty much are always receiving requests to expand, expand, expand, get my neighborhood,” Pash said. “This (map) pretty much gets the majority of the streets north of (State Road) 50.”
Pash said making the Golf Cart District encompass more streets will make it easier for local residents to access downtown Winter Garden and make their way around the areas north of West Colonial Drive.
The newly approved map can be found on the city’s website, cwgdn.com/480/golf-cart-information.
The City Commission unanimously approved an ordinance regulating the operation of electric bicycles, motorized scooters and wheeled devices on the city’s streets and sidewalks.
The ordinance is to improve safety, reduce conflicts and help prevent serious or potentially fatal injuries.
Class one and class two e-bikes are allowed on roadways and sidewalks more than 8 feet wide in commercial areas and other city-owned property but can’t exceed 10 mph on a sidewalk. Class one e-bikes have pedal-assist with a max assistance of up to 20 mph. Class two e-bikes have a max assistance of up to 20 mph but a pedal isn’t needed to reach that speed; it’ll throttle to the speed.
Class three e-bikes, which are pedal-assist bikes with a max assistance of up to 28 mph, are allowed in the same areas as class one and two.
Motorized scooters are not allowed on the West Orange Trail, on roadways with speed limits 35 mph or higher, sidewalks less than 8 feet wide and in parks unless signage permits.
If approved, the ordinance would require the minimum operator age of e-bikes be 15 years old. Helmets also would be required for any riders or passengers under 16 years old. E-bike lights will be required at night. Riders can go a maximum of 10 mph on sidewalks and off-road bike paths. Riders also must carry a government issued ID.
The new ordinance also would allow the city to fine anyone who does not adhere to the regulations. Infractions would be considered a class two violation, which would result in a $100 fine, and that fine would potentially grow if there are repeat offenders. Parents of any minors who are given the fine would be responsible for the payment.
The Winter Garden Police Department will enforce the ordinance.
Planning Director Kelly Carson provided clarification on the ordinance before it was approved Thursday, Jan. 8.
A change to the ordinance since its first reading at the Dec. 11 commission meeting was to clarify that motorized scooters also are limited to a speed of 10 mph when traveling on any permitted sidewalk or off-road pathway, which is the same as the e-bike regulations. Motorized scooters also must yield the right of way to any pedestrian and give an audible warning before passing that pedestrian.
Another change to the ordinance is e-bikes, motorized scooters and wheeled devices are not allowed on the West Orange Trail.
The last clarification was to ensure children under 16 years old may operate a motorized scooter if wearing proper safety gear and if they can provide a legal ID.
Carson said the ordinance addresses an immediate concern regarding the use of e-bikes, but the city might have to change the ordinance in the future to address any policies made at the county or state level.
