PHONE: 989.587.4434
Welcome to the Village of Westphalia
Village Office
200 Willow Street
Westphalia, MI 48894
Office Hours
Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 9:00 AM until 4:00 PM
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Community Safety Reminder: Golf Carts, ORVs and Electric Scooters
The Village of Westphalia has received increasing concerns regarding golf carts, ORVs, and electric scooters being operated on Village streets, including unsafe operation, failure to follow traffic rules, and use by minors. The Village would like to remind residents that these vehicles are subject to Michigan law and, in some cases, local authorization requirements.
Golf Carts
The Village of Westphalia has not adopted a resolution authorizing golf carts on Village streets. Under Michigan law, golf carts may only be operated on Village streets when the municipality has specifically authorized their use. Even in communities where golf carts are permitted, the operator must be at least 16 and have a valid driver’s license, stay near the right side of the road, obey signaling requirements, travel no faster than 15 mph, avoid sidewalks, and generally cannot operate from ½ hour before sunset to ½ hour after sunrise.
ORVs
Clinton County has an ordinance that allows ORVs on certain county roads; however, that ordinance specifically does not authorize ORVs on city or village streets unless the municipality has adopted its own ordinance allowing them. The Village of Westphalia has not adopted an ordinance authorizing ORVs on Village streets. Michigan law also includes additional requirements for youth ORV operators, including safety certification and adult supervision requirements for operators under age 16.
Finance Information:
Found on Village Council Page.
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Electric Scooters
Electric stand-up scooters are treated differently under Michigan law and may generally be operated on certain roadways and sidewalks, depending on the type of device. However, scooter operators are still required to follow applicable traffic laws, operate safely, yield to pedestrians where required, and avoid unsafe actions such as weaving through traffic.
A Reminder to Parents and Guardians
The Village is particularly concerned about children and teens operating these vehicles unsafely or in locations where their use is not permitted.
These concerns are supported by national injury data. Recent research estimated more than 63,000 pediatric electric-scooter injuries in the United States from 2014 through 2023, with the average annual number of injuries during 2021–2023 more than twice the pre-pandemic average. Nearly 1 in 3 injuries involved a fracture.¹
Off-road vehicles also continue to cause significant injuries among youth. Children under age 16 accounted for approximately 27% of roughly 500,000 off-highway vehicle injuries reported from 2018–2020.²
Parents and guardians are encouraged to make sure children understand that golf carts, ORVs, and electric scooters are vehicles—not toys—and that the ability to operate one does not necessarily mean it may legally be driven on a public street.
Please Help Keep Westphalia Safe
Residents are asked:
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Do not allow minors to operate golf carts or ORVs on Village streets.
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Make sure operators understand the laws that apply to their vehicle.
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Obey traffic signs, right-of-way rules, and applicable speed limits.
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Avoid reckless driving, racing, weaving through traffic, or unsafe passenger use.
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Use helmets and other required or recommended safety equipment.
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Be especially cautious around pedestrians, bicyclists, children, parks, and school areas.
The Village of Westphalia does not have a local ordinance authorizing golf carts or ORVs on Village streets and relies on applicable State of Michigan laws and Clinton County regulations regarding their use and enforcement. The purpose of this reminder is to help prevent a serious injury or accident. We appreciate the cooperation of residents, parents, guardians, and vehicle owners in helping keep our community safe.
¹ Weiss DL, et al. Electric scooter injuries in the pediatric population are increasing: an analysis of national injury trends and mechanisms between 2014 and 2023. The Physician and Sportsmedicine, 2026. PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41319315/
² Wong J, et al. Pediatric Off-Highway Vehicle Injuries and Fatalities: Exploring Risks, Prevention, and Safety. Pediatrics in Review, 2026. PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41475390/
Our Area
Clinton County
Westphalia's close proximity to Lansing, East Lansing and Grand Rapids provides easy access to work, shopping, and higher education without being in the heart of a city. Our downtown offers shops, stores, restaurants and commercial businesses in a clean, safe and friendly hometown atmosphere. We also have excellent schools and many recreational opportunities.
Westphalia History
Westphalia was founded in 1836 by Roman Catholic settlers from Westphalia, Germany. Although the village now enjoys a more diverse population, it still maintains strong roots to its origin. Descendants of the early settlers can still be found living in the area today.
