MYRTLE BEACH, SC (WBTW)-      The city of Myrtle Beach wants to make sure moped and golf cart renters know the rules of the road, before riding.  Council passed first reading on an ordinance Tuesday night that would require rental agencies to follow certain safety procedures.

The city says there’s been a significant increase in the number of golf cart, moped and scooter rentals, especially during the summer months. While they’re a fun and easy way for tourists to get around, officials say they can be unsafe.

At Tuesday’s workshop, City Manager John Pedersen showed council surveillance footage from a camera on the corner of Joe White Avenue and North Kings Highway. The footage shows moped riders stopped at an intersection. When one rider starts making a u-turn, a car turns the corner and nearly crashes into him.

“You’re going to always have people that want to go out and have fun and act like a fool when they’re out there,” said Go Fast Scooters Owner David Stone.

During the peak summer weeks, Stone says they’ll rent about 200 mopeds and 30 golf carts.

A new ordinance would require rental agencies to make sure operators have the correct licensing, are of legal age and know the rules before riding. Stone says they already do that.

“We go over the operations of the vehicle they’re renting thoroughly so they don’t get hurt, our equipment doesn’t come back damaged and everybody has a good experience,” he explained.

The proposed ordinance also requires rental agencies provide instruction and training to make sure riders are capable.

“We actually send them down the road and watch them as they ride, make them turn around come back and demonstrate that the can brake, use signals and horns,” said Stone.

Under the ordinance, all conveyances must be inspected and registered with Myrtle Beach Police. Rental agencies are also required to have commercial liability insurance

“Mopeds are not cars they can break overnight, sitting still so we thoroughly inspect the mopeds on a daily basis and before and after each rental,” said Stone.

However, he says safety shouldn’t be the responsibility of moped renters only.

“Most of our accidents have been cars not yielding or running stop signs and hitting mopeds,” he stated.

In addition, the ordinance would require operators have their license, renter’s contract and safety brochure in their possession while riding.

The original proposal required colored safety vests for operators, but council took that out. The ordinance still needs to pass second reading before it is final.

  • Mopeds- Must be at least 14 years-old, cannot exceed 30 mph
  • Scooters- Must be at least 15 years-old, Class M drivers license (motorcycle)
  • Golf Carts- Must be at least 16 years-old, cannot drive after dark, permitted on streets with a speed limit of 35 mph or less
  • All renters under 18 need parent/guardian permission