City Approves Segway (w/ New Radio Interview!!!)

[mzokc]

UPDATE: Additional photos have been posted to this thread. Scroll down for the links.

LATEST UPDATE: St. Patrick's Day Radio Interview added. Scroll far down for photo and audio links.

Today's visit to the police department was an education in state/city government. I was told by one policeman that certain state law does not automatically apply in Oklahoma City because the city existed before statehood and a "grandfather clause" allows local government to have input on the state decision. (I am paraphrasing what he said, but you get the idea.)

I was told by several in the police department to visit the City Attorney's office and show them the state law because they determine what the police department should do in regard with the Segway. Demos were given to both the police staff and various city officials. Everyone was extremely pleasant and happy to see the HT. They wanted to know all the details and I shared the various web site addresses where they could get more information and see the HT in action. (The police mentioned the airport as the number one use for an HT. City government would like them for travel between buildings.)

After officially reviewing the state law with their own records, the Chief Prosecutor was extremely helpful to provide a letter for me to show to any Oklahoma City Police officer that summarizes the state statutes by number and gives me "the legal right to use this vehicle on city streets, sidewalks, bikeways and walking trails." I was very happy to get the letter. In addition, she will be presenting a video presentation to the police officers to show them the Segway and explain its legal use.

Because the Chief Prosecutor has told officers to stop the users of other scooters that have been a problem, it was good to visit city government today to prevent being stopped by an officer tomorrow!

The visit today confirmed the need for Segway owners to check with local government and give them the opportunity to help their officers with current information that will make life more pleasant for everyone.

[2totango]

Great job! Segwaychat members will go down in the history books because of such a fine job introducing a complicated new machine in all its aspects.

[mzokc]

Thanks 2totango for the confidence! Last weekend, Tom the bike rider wondered how the police would react to seeing the Segway in Bricktown our "Disneyland" of entertainment! With a ball park, arena, convention center, night spots and dining, we even have a canal with site seeing boats. Parking can be a mess, especially since they are building a "Bass Pro Shop" and "Sonic Drive In" headquarters building where the overflow parking lots were located.

http://www.bricktownokc.com/

Saturday afternoon features the big St. Patricks Day parade and Monday is the "green eggs and ham" breakfast and all day concert. There are always big doings in Bricktown, and they have been negative with the motorcycle bikers and anyone on wheels (except the cars that pay up to $8 for parking (extremely pricey for OKC.) So, wish me luck (and say a prayer if you are so inclined) as my letter will be at the ready if necessary! It should be great fun!

UPDATE: Here are the photos! http://homepage.mac.com/mzokc/segway/PhotoAlbum48.html (90 entries, 21 photos!)

With 70 degree, 50% humidity weather, it was a perfect day to be gliding. The HT photos are at the end of the photo page. I gave about 25 demos and answered countless questions for about 5 hours! Many parade participants (including the Governor) pointed at my riding the Segway while taking the photos. It was great fun and the no police problems in Bricktown. The parade organizer caught up with me and wants me to be IN future parades in OKC and other nearby cities. What fun!

All the parade photos were taken from the HT. I was able to slowly glide down the sidewalk about a half a mile during the entire parade and take photos from various locations. Checking out the HT was as much fun as the parade for many!

Mark Z in OKC

[Brooster]

Great pictures Mark! Thanks!

Brooster

[fredkap]

Great pictures Ambassador Mark!

Fred

[Czar]

I've been lurking for several months here now but it's time to jump in. I'll be attending training in Seattle a week from today. From what I've been reading, it sounds like most Segway owners live in large metropolitan areas. I'll probably be the first Segway rider in southeast Washington state, more specifically, Walla Walla, WA.
The city of Walla Walla (population about 25,000) has always banned bikes, rollerblades and skateboards from city sidewalks. Walla Walla was voted one of the best small town downtowns in the entire country. I called the poice chief and asked him about Segways. He knew what I was talking about but did not commit to a yes or no about their use in town. It's kind of a Catch-22. Not allowed on sidewalks because other wheeled vehicles aren't and not allowed on roads because it's motorized and not licensed. Well I'm going to ride it where ever I currently walk and bike and see what happens. Maybe they'll arrest me. But I work for the Walla Walla Union-Bulletin newspaper so that should make quite a story!
Thanks to all your chatting, I have an idea of what I'm in for when I start gliding. But that's one of the reasons I'll be gliding. I'll have more exciting news and a big surprize for you all later after I graduate to the red key.

[drucilla]

Mzokc..great site..read everything and thanks for the news(modem)part, I could finally see the report. It was really great..have fun in okc..




What can I do, as just one person, to make the world a better place?..I can segway...

[mzokc]

quote:Originally posted by Czar

...I'll probably be the first Segway rider in southeast Washington state, more specifically, Walla Walla, WA..I work for the Walla Walla Union-Bulletin newspaper...I'll have more exciting news and a big surprize for you all later after I graduate to the red key.Welcome Czar to Segway Chat! We will look forward to the news and keep us informed of all the happenings in Walla Walla. (It will be fun to share your news with my friends and relatives in Soap Lake, WA.)

Mark Z in OKC

[JaneJetson]

Hi Czar --

Welcome to the forum!

You (and the police chief) might not be aware that there is a Washington State law enacted covering Segways. Here's a pointer to the applicable state law:

http://www.leg.wa.gov/pub/billinfo/2001-02/Senate/6300-6324/6316_sl_04032002.txt

You may want to take the police chief and/or the city attorney a copy of of this to further extend the discussion. I'm not an attorney, but reading this does make it seem as though the Segway is allowed on wherever pedestrians are, unless specifically regulated by a local jurisdiction. Has Walla Walla made laws specifically covering the Segway? Sounds like you're going to have an ambassadorship opportunity here...

FWIW,
JaneJetson

(P.S. I've printed off copies of this statute, which I carry with me when gliding, just in case anyone has any questions.)

[mzokc]

I have uploaded additional photos from the St. Patrick's Day weekend. Check out http://homepage.mac.com/mzokc/segway/PhotoAlbum49.html for some interesting demos. I would have liked to take pictures of everyone, but it just isn't always practical. When I did today, an amazing thing happened. Suddenly the HT was zooming up a highly slanted drive and onto the rough surfaces. Round and down, across the broken sidewalk and up though a new lawn area to the hose! I was calling out safety tips faster than the video! The expert motorcyclist handled the Segway like a champion and loved every minute of it!

Finding a perfect roofing job with EcoStar material was a plus. It will cost over $20,000 to replace my leaky roof. I may never have found this superior roofing contractor had I not bought the Segway!

Meeting folks from the Paseo area has been a blast. Normally we just drive through to the artist areas. The idea of walking is just too far. With the Segway there are stops along the way to share the excitement with everyone who asks. I met some of the nicest people who have one thing in common with our historic "upscale" homes. We are all restoring the houses and neighborhoods to a wonderful condition.

Mark Z in OKC

[2totango]

:D:D:D

Welcome Czar! I'll be training at 1:30 on Friday--when are you scheduled?
Hope to see you there.

Hi janejetson. You are apparently going to be my hero. The most pertinent section of that Senate Bill appears to be Sec.7. I have asked our State Senator, pt and several friends how to interpret it for a policeman, let alone myself, and haven't had any luck with answers so far. Please explain to us what it means. Email is fine.

[mzokc]

The final chapter for the St. Patrick's Day was an early morning visit to Bricktown to get some free "green eggs and ham!" I saw on our CBS-TV affiliate that KISS-FM was doing a live radio show (the very popular Jack & Ron Morning Show,) so I put a cassette in the recorder to catch the audio if I was interviewed. Yes! I was interviewed. Here are the links to pictures:

http://homepage.mac.com/mzokc/segway/PhotoAlbum50.html

Now here is where it gets a bit tough! I have uploaded the 7 minute interview. You can download/play by clicking the following link and then clicking the download arrow. The file is 1.2 mb, so plan accordingly.

http://homepage.mac.com/mzokc/segway/FileSharing54.html

It works automatically with XP on the PC if you have QuickTime installed. (If Safari doesn't find the page on a Mac use Internet Explorer instead and open the interview.mov file at the desktop.) The file is an AIFF audio file, so rename with a .aif extension if you have an unique system. I hope it works for you.

The interview was lots of fun and taught me to not walk away (even when excused by the radio hosts) until all the comments were corrected! (ie: Absolutely NO double riding allowed!!!)

On the way home a car stopped in my path. The man driving lowered his window and said, "I'm getting mine on Thursday!" I mentioned SegwayChat.com, so hopefully we will catch up with each other to glide in the downtown area or at Lake Hefner.

Mark Z in OKC

[pkradd]

Mark.

I had no problem downloading in Safari.

[mzokc]

I am glad to know Safari is working for some. Imagine my surprise when I get a "We're sorry, but we can't find the HomePage you've requested" message - and its my home page!!!

Mark Z in OKC

[AtlSeg]

Mark, what a great interview! You really seemed to have it together--you hadn't been practicing, had you? <G>

Seriously, you hit all the right points. As more and more people become aware of the benefits (and fun) of the Segway, we should see our numbers swell.

Good work!

**** (Richard) in Atlanta

[2totango]

[^]:D[^]:D

What an absolutely great interview!!!!! I'm drooling to get to training on Friday hoping, of course, to someday having an experience half as terrific.

[terryp]

"...hoping, of course, to someday having an experience half as terrific."

You will Ken!

I plugged my HT in a half hour ago (1:30PM), so expect to be riding around the basement early tomorrow morning when the initial 12-hour charge is complete. I'd sure like to take Friday off and come down to meet you and the others from around the state. Anyone coming on Saturday?

[mzokc]

There was a message on the answering machine at work today from a police captain requesting that I call the Oklahoma City Police Department.

I was left to wonder what restriction of Segway usage might occur. Could it be a comment about my recent visit? I had no clue of what to expect when I returned the call.

My fear of bad news turned into a smile when the captain said, "Can I arrange some media coverage of the state law concerning the Segway and get a demo?"

Mark Z in OKC