Louisiana Segway Law

[Chapinville]

Here is Louisiana's Segway Law. I know most of you have seen something similar in your state. What makes me the happiest is the part the the EMPAD is not a motor vehicle. I spend most of my time riding on the levees here (not the broken ones that flooded us) and get hassled from time to time because there are signs posted that say "NO MOTOR VEHICLES". What good news![/:)]

§300.2. Electric personal assistive mobility devices; operation; exceptions

A. Electric personal assistive mobility devices shall be authorized to operate on sidewalks, bicycle paths, and highways with posted speed limits of thirty-five miles per hour or less, except that any parish or municipal governing authority may limit or prohibit the operation of such devices on any sidewalk, bicycle path or highway under its jurisdiction.

B. For purposes of this Section, the term "electric personal assistive mobility device" shall mean a self-balancing two-, non-tandem wheeled device designed to transport only one person at a time, with an electric propulsion system which limits the maximum speed of the device to not more than fifteen miles per hour. An electric personal assistive mobility device shall not be considered a motor scooter, an electric scooter, a vehicle, or a motor vehicle.

Acts 2004, No. 551, §1; Acts 2004, No. 805, §1

http://members.cox.net/katelyn.moore/segwaywheelsmall.jpg

[Sal]

It's interesting that the law is of course meant to cover Segways, but states that the maximum speed is 15MPH?

Anyone care to hazard a guess as to why, as other states LA did not state ". . . limits the maximum speed of the device to not more than twelve and one half miles per hour." ?

Are there other states where the laws specifically written to allow Segways state the HT characteristics slightly differently from spec?

-Sal

P.S. Chapinville, it's good to know that the law is on your side! :-)

___________
I considered atheism, but there were too few holidays

Segway Chat Member since July 2003
Segway Owner since August 2003

[woodenapple]

quote:Originally posted by salkulkarni

It's interesting that the law is of course meant to cover Segways, but states that the maximum speed is 15MPH?

Anyone care to hazard a guess as to why, as other states LA did not state ". . . limits the maximum speed of the device to not more than twelve and one half miles per hour." ?

Are there other states where the laws specifically written to allow Segways state the HT characteristics slightly differently from spec?

-Sal
I believe most states' legislation put a 15 or 20 mph limit on their EPAMD descriptions - probably to allow for future devices that they would be willing to allow within the category of EPAMD.

Here in Florida the limit is 20 mph:

http://www.leg.state.fl.us/Statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&Search_String=&URL=Ch0316/SEC003.HTM&Title=->2005->Ch0316->Section%20003#0316.003

"...(83) ELECTRIC PERSONAL ASSISTIVE MOBILITY DEVICE.--Any self-balancing, two-nontandem-wheeled device, designed to transport only one person, with an electric propulsion system with average power of 750 watts (1 horsepower), the maximum speed of which, on a paved level surface when powered solely by such a propulsion system while being ridden by an operator who weighs 170 pounds, is less than 20 miles per hour. Electric personal assistive mobility devices are not vehicles as defined in this section. ..."



Rodney

May all your days be Segway days!

[Red Seg]

Another reason might be that even though we have a limit of 12.5 MPH the Segway can easily hit higher speeds. If you are cruising along at top speed and give a sudden forward lean, your machine will quickly speed up to get under you then slow back down. This is that power reserve that is so often written about and what keeps our faces out of the gravel. If we were to be clocked on radar during that short recovery, we could be cited for speeding. The 15 MPH limit leaves a buffer for that. (My opinion only!)

Michael