Advocacy groups now trying to ban in San Diego??

[RobbW]

Hmmm - This just in from the Mercury News (http://www.bayarea.com/mld/mercurynews/business/5073215.htm)

RobbW

P.S. I wonder if it's worth getting hold of Andy Hamilton of the San Diego County's Air Pollution Control District to let him know there are actually TWO points of view in this matter?


"...San Diego is also considering nixing the two-wheeled, 69-pound Segway. Earlier this month, Segway officials said San Diego was among the more Segway-friendly cities in California. Andy Hamilton, of San Diego County's Air Pollution Control District, disagreed: ``Yes, they (the Segway people) were here and wowed a lot of people, but in the sober light of morning, we're taking a look at it very critically and considering a full-court press to ban it from sidewalks,'' he wrote in an e-mail to California Walk, a coalition of pedestrian advocacy groups.

Still, John Doerr, the venture capitalist and backer of the Segway, says he's confident the scooter will do fine. It has been sold to ``hundreds of enterprise customers,'' he said, noting too that consumer trials in communities across the country show that people are enjoying the Segway and telling their friends. ``It's spreading by word of mouth,'' he said."

[pt]

if you live in the area--

join these groups, contribute, have a voice.

cheers,
pt

http://www.bookofseg.com

[Cube128]

Like SF, it'll be another case of a vocal minority speaking out against somthing that people know nothing about, so they're free to distort the facts without anyone noticing.

[pt]

join in folks, if you feel strongly.

cheers,
pt

http://www.bookofseg.com

[BruceWright]

Do we have contact info? Anyone here in San Diego? I also know that Tourism is a huge industry in San Diego, perhaps folks could say how they'd love to Segway around Mission Bay.

Just let these bannzzors try to come to L.A. We'd throw a counter-demonstration right at them.

-Bruce Wright

Segway: Vehicle of Dream

[MrTechno]

At this point, Segway owners are greatly outnumbered by the whining walkers who'll warp the facts to fit their feelings. We have to be very vocal, spread the word, make sense, and show how this technology dovetails with life as we know it. IT IS NOT ENOUGH TO BE WOWED BY THE TECHNOLOGY! Nobody has any gripe with the fact that the Segway HT is cool and fun. The point must be made that it is beneficial to society, friendly to pedestrians, and proud to be an American. Also, it's not how fast it goes that's important...it's how SLOW it goes, how it can so pleasantly coexist with people on foot.

[pt]

folks-

usually each city has groups -you- can join, in san diego, there is:
http://www.walksandiego.org

keep in mind, that it's really important that we all understand these folks usually do what's best for each community and being "vocal" back won't help matters. the best we can do is join in, meet these people and contribute to our communities.

cheers,
pt

http://www.bookofseg.com

[MrTechno]

quote: being "vocal" back won't help matters. the best we can do is join in, meet these people and contribute to our communities

What does that mean? Being vocal doesn't help? I believe that stating your case and being heard is the #1 way to get something done. While it's nice to join a walking group there's something to be said about a coalition of people who stand united for what they believe in. If you DO join a group and contribute, isn't that being vocal??

[pt]

i should have been more specfic, vocal in terms of tone. i've chatted with lots of folks in my life that by most definitions are unreasonable and it's really easy to argue back and sink to some of harsh tones and simply mean things. i guess i'm saying the nicer you are, the more logical and reasonable, the better off a stated position is.

i've found that once all the facts are out, the unreasonable people will resort to personal attacks. at some point i'll go in to some really long details, but always taking the high road is really important i feel.

cheers,
pt

http://www.bookofseg.com

[Peter iNova]

No doubt this furor has been seething beneath the groundswell for a long time. Fed by all those frightening reports of blood on the pavement.

Say, wait a minute. Where did I put those reports...?

-iNova

http://www.digitalsecrets.net/glidewalk/Home.html

[drucilla]

Peter iNova, I just read your "glidewalk the sidewalk" site. It was really fun to read and VERY well written. Hope you post more cause I'm gonna check it from time to time..

mind if my segway and i pass?

[Brooster]

The key, in my opinion, is to get the Amazon units out Nationwide ... and the sooner the better.

People seeing it, and riding it will generate interest and sales. The days of this being some "shadowy," secretive device have to end, and end soon if this technology is to be accepted.

The horse is out of the barn. Let's ride it.



Brooster

[Linc2000]

Hi All!
I live in San Diego. pt, I clicked on the link you provided to walksandiego.org and read about what they are trying to do. I think much of what walksandiego is trying to do will be important to Segway users. San Diego is an ideal location to own a Segway. We have Segway weather all year round. We have a trolley system that covers a lot of the city. The trolley currently accomodates bicycles and I hope they will accomodate my Segway when it arrives. There are a lot of places to visit in San Diego where using a Segway would make the "walk" a lot more enjoyable. For example visiting the San Diego Zoo would be a lot more appealing if I could do it on my Segway. I was thinking I would like to demonstrate it to my city councilman after I feel comfortable on my Segway. Is there anyone out there who has been "lobbying" there local officials with the intent of showing the Segway in a positive light? Lincoln Pickard linc2000@msn.com

[Seaway Rentals]

I doubt if we're going to lose San Diego like we did in San Francisco. To much political clout with local business owners, Segway present and dealers.
Seaway Rentals, Inc.

[Sal]

quote:Originally posted by MrTechno

Also, it's not how fast it goes that's important...it's how SLOW it goes, how it can so pleasantly coexist with people on foot.


A great point Mr. Techno!

Here here!

-Sal

Think Different
www.apple.com

Answers that Matter
www.lilly.com

[SegwayUtah]

Who else is in San Diego?

Get on this. Now.

:) Your children will thank you.

Chris

P.S.

I agree with pt; join in with the groups that have an "issue" and make sure they know that you're their ally. Do we have a San Diego SEG group? Anyone want to start one?

Also, disabled groups and the elderly are your friends.

[BruceWright]

Wow, this was an old thread brought back to life!

-Bruce Wright

Segway: Vehicle of Dream

[Sal]

Should have looked at the date... wow... I wonder where this effort to ban is now, a year later?

-Sal

Think Different
www.apple.com

Answers that Matter
www.lilly.com

[MagiMike]

Exploring the walksandiego.com website I stumbled across a copy of the Spring 2003 newsletter. There is an interesting article titled in large red letters " No Way Segway " I found it interesting to read the other point of view. The article ends by inviting readers to register your opinion about banning Segways in San Diego by sending e-mail to mail@walksandiego.com.

I've sent them my opinion, you might want to send yours, keeping PT's advice on being civil in mind.

Mike in Houston TX.
It is better to know some of the questions than all of the answers. - James Thurber

[SegwayUtah]

Okay, two things:

1. Ignore what I said about getting on this now :) I didn't even notice that this is a year old; when it was up on the top of the list today, I just assumed it was new :)

2. Look at this quote from their Spring 2003 newsletter:
'We agree with America Walks assessment: "Nothing that moves faster than walking speed belongs in the space intended for walking."'

Interesting. So joggers should not be on the sidewalk, let alone runners. And power wheelchair like the iBOT which can go 6mph should be kept off the sidewalks too. After all, echoing a slight adaptation of the words of the newsletter, "electric wheelchairs operate more like bicycles and should be allowed wherever bicycles are. Is [an electric wheelchair] all that different from a hybridelectric bicycle?" :)

Chris

[BruceWright]

It does seem like a simplistic point of view. "Nothing that moves faster than walking speed belongs in the space intended for walking."

A transportation engineer would point out various flaws to that argument.

First of all, cars intersect the walking space at every driveway and crosswalk, and they certainly travel faster than walking speed.

Second, there are a number of other objects which Chris pointed out, currently use the sidewalk legally at speeds exceeding walking speed.

Third, ARE sidewalks intended only for walking? If so, then everyone else is an encroacher. However I see no such indication from our state and city laws. No, it's clear that sidewalks are multi-use facilities. For walking, yes. But also for jogging, roller-skating, sidewalk cafe's, riding scooters and bicycles, and the occasional segway.

-Bruce Wright

Segway: Vehicle of Dream