MONROE - The City of Monroe is getting energized about neighborhood electric vehicles (NEVs).
On Monday night, the Monroe Judiciary and Ordinance Review Committee unanimously voted to recommend to City Council an ordinance allowing the use of NEVs on city streets. NEVs would be able to travel within the city on any street, alley or highway having a posted speed limit of 35 mph or less.
Police Chief Fred Kelley said a letter from the city must be sent to the state, after the council has passed the ordinance, identifying all roads NEVs will be intersecting and requesting permission for the vehicles to cross. NEVs would be allowed to cross, but not travel on, state roads. The state would have to respond within 21 days if there are any objections.
City Attorney Rex Ewald, who wrote the proposed ordinance, said he stuck with definitions and terms used by Wisconsin statutes.
The ordinance defines the differences between golf carts and NEVs. NEVs have the safety equipment, lights, mirrors, brakes, windshields and seatbelts required of all licensed vehicles to drive on streets. They also must be able to travel at least 20 mph, but not more than 25 mph.
Kelley said NEVs will not be able to go to the new Menards location along Wisconsin 69 north of Wis. 11/81, where the speed limit is 45 mph.
And he said there is little likelihood the state will be reducing the limit in that area.
However, NEVs may be able to reach the new Wal-Mart Supercenter farther west on Wis. 11, by crossing over the highway along Sixth Avenue West. That road doesn't actually intersect the highway, Kelley said.
NEVs ride in line with traffic, unlike bicycles, which travel alongside traffic, Kelley said. Traffic violations in an NEV will be the same as violations for cars.
The ordinance will go before the council for a public hearing sometime in July. No date has been set.
On Monday night, the Monroe Judiciary and Ordinance Review Committee unanimously voted to recommend to City Council an ordinance allowing the use of NEVs on city streets. NEVs would be able to travel within the city on any street, alley or highway having a posted speed limit of 35 mph or less.
Police Chief Fred Kelley said a letter from the city must be sent to the state, after the council has passed the ordinance, identifying all roads NEVs will be intersecting and requesting permission for the vehicles to cross. NEVs would be allowed to cross, but not travel on, state roads. The state would have to respond within 21 days if there are any objections.
City Attorney Rex Ewald, who wrote the proposed ordinance, said he stuck with definitions and terms used by Wisconsin statutes.
The ordinance defines the differences between golf carts and NEVs. NEVs have the safety equipment, lights, mirrors, brakes, windshields and seatbelts required of all licensed vehicles to drive on streets. They also must be able to travel at least 20 mph, but not more than 25 mph.
Kelley said NEVs will not be able to go to the new Menards location along Wisconsin 69 north of Wis. 11/81, where the speed limit is 45 mph.
And he said there is little likelihood the state will be reducing the limit in that area.
However, NEVs may be able to reach the new Wal-Mart Supercenter farther west on Wis. 11, by crossing over the highway along Sixth Avenue West. That road doesn't actually intersect the highway, Kelley said.
NEVs ride in line with traffic, unlike bicycles, which travel alongside traffic, Kelley said. Traffic violations in an NEV will be the same as violations for cars.
The ordinance will go before the council for a public hearing sometime in July. No date has been set.