Why should EPAMD's be exempt?

[Bill Keil]

Howdy all,
I am still working on getting Segways exempt from the Orland Park scooter ban. The lawyer has a proposal all drawn up and I am supposed to meet with him on Monday July 26th to go over it with him. We are going to the village manager and point out that the definition of "scooter" does not apply to the Segway and we would like Orland Park to follow the Illinois Vehicle code and the Cook County ordinance that exempt out EPAMD's. But he would like to be prepared if the manager asks why should he exempt them, what makes them safer than a scooter or motorized bicycle. So I am asking for your input, how would you defend that point, why should EPAMD's be exempt. It's not looking good for me so any help you fellow seggers can offer would be greatly appreciated, otherwise I may have a cherry I-series for sale soon, only driven 1 month.
Thanks,
Bill Keil

[fathertime]

Dear Bill,
Try getting a few pointers from Matt Dailida at LLC. Since he is the legislative lobbyist I would think that he might have a few pointers for you.
The main reason that the EPAMD should be treated as a pedestrian is because it functions as one. The HT is a very different vehicle that most folks are not familiar with. Point out that the chicago Police have 50 in use at very public venues like O'Hare and Midway and that they interact with the public everyday without mishap.
At SegwayFest last year we had 35,000 Islamics in the hotel during our convention and if ever there was a test of operating over 100 machines in a crowded environment this was it. We didn't have one single incident and wound up demo-ing many of their attendees.
Ask for a test period during which you can demonstrate how safe and efficient the HT is. If their minds are open at all this should be a reasonable solution.
If you would like me to help with this effort on the day of, just let me know.
I was instrumental in getting the Cook County Commissioners to carve out a spot for the Segway in the recent ruling. Feel free to contact me offline.

JR

[madkayaker]

another thing that you could do is to look at some of the existing legislation, and see why they exempted it.
The URL is: http://www.segway.com/general/regulatory.html

[SegwayUtah]

Bill,

This is from the NYC opinion that SEG America read back in March:

"The Segway HT has operating characteristics similar to those of a human, rather than those of a motorized scooter.

"A person takes up roughly the same amount of room utilizing a Segway HT as they do without the device. At rest, a Segway HT balances in place like a standing person. While moving forward, the Segway HT keeps underneath its rider. And like a human, the Segway HT turns in place, without impact to any nearby object or person.

"In contrast, motorized scooters cannot balance in place, make wide turns, and at high speeds are difficult to maneuver.

"In short, the Segway HT moves like a person moves, not like a motorized scooter moves.

"The Segway HT is utilized by federal and state government officials across the nation, in areas as diverse as law enforcement, mail and package delivery, and airport security. With permissive legislation in over forty states and Washington DC, people all across the country have found the Segway HT to be a sensible, safe, and environmentally friendly transportation solution.

"The Segway HT also provides life-changing benefits to major segments of our disabled community, restoring balance and dignity to many of our elderly and less-abled neighbors."

Hope that helps . . .

Chris

[dgbint]

Another good thing to do is take along a couple of dictionaries.

If you look at the dictionary definition of either a scooter or a bicycle you will almost always see that these devices have two tandem wheels, a front wheel and a back wheel.

Then you could ask the viewer to point to the HT's front wheel.
When they can't, you can thus state that it is not a scooter.

If it's not a scooter then it should NOT be covered by laws pertaining to scooters.

Good Luck
Michael

[BruceWright]

I would emphasize its ability to be used in a crowd of people, like the Disney Employees who use them in Disneyland Park and Epcot around millions of guests a year.

The sheer fact that they can be used INSIDE an airport like in Chicago distinguishes them from a bicycle.

Then the fact that they go half the speed of a scooter or a bicycle.

Also the fact that they subtract much of their own momentum upon any impact, as the stick gets pushed back... demonstrate this, have someone else ride the Segway and try to knock you down. If you plant your foot, they can't do it. I've had people twice my weight unable to knock me down (make sure you're secure in doing this before you demonstrate it to officials.).

Invariably someone will say that it weighs twice as much as a bike, and so it's twice as dangerous. Don't let them get away with that faulty math. You have to do the weight as Segway + rider vs. Bike + rider. So assuming a 40 pound bike vs an 80 pound Segway isn't the comparison unless segways and bikes ride down the sidewalk riderless!

A 190 pound man on a bike is 230 pounds bike and rider, and 270 pounds Segway and rider. A difference that is much smaller when you count in the active braking of the Segway. Plus factor in the fact that Segways go slower than most scooters and all bicycles, like half the speed.

Then factor in that kids are the ones on scooters, and adults are ususally the ones on Segways. Responsible, fiscally secure adults. As in, lawsuit bait! Very usually they have insurance and ride like they don't want to make a claim.

Emphasize that the average owner of a Segway is something like 50 years old. Show them pictures from Segfest, there's a lot of seniors on them. Do they really seem like hot rods if Seniors are falling in love with them?

Look at www.draft.cc That's a group of disabled rights advocates who have discovered that the Segway makes an unparalleled assistive device. Emphasize that, while you aren't using it as a wheelchair substitute, others do... and THAT ITSELF speaks to the character of this device. It is a docile device in crowds, which is why members of the disabled community choose it over a wheelchair if they can. These folks aren't into hot rods, or razor scooters. They're into safety, reliability, security and ease of use and ease of travel.

Those are some starting points. There are lots of other reasons, but those'll get you started.

-Bruce Wright

Segway: Vehicle of Dream

[PoloAk]

Ask why scooters are being banned. Then see if any of those reasons apply to the segway. Most people say scooters are noisy, too fast, dangerous. . . .in the end its a personal preference. Hard to beat, but worth the effort.

Kelsey

. . . still working on that backflip . . .