NOOOO!!! Mass is regulating everything about segs!

[segwayowner]

Take a look a the Boston Globe Article...

http://www.boston.com/news/local/articles/2004/08/20/house_votes_tighter_curbs_on_minibikes/


We will need drivers licences, cant go int eh night, have to be on streets, etc. NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!

Will post more later, i am trying to get the text of the bill....

DES: Segway owner....
it has a nice ring to it

The average American/Canadian will eat about 11.9 pounds of cereal per year.
Mel Blanc (the voice of Bugs Bunny) was allergic to carrots.
There are more bacteria in your mouth than there are people in the world.
Columbia University is the second largest landowner in New York City, after the Catholic Church

[segwayowner]

An excerpt of the bill...
quote:Originally found on mass.gov

Take a look a the Boston Globe Article...

Section 1B. A motorized bicycle and/or motorized scooter shall not be operated upon any way, as defined in section one within the commonwealth by any person under sixteen years of age, nor at a speed in excess of twenty-five miles per hour. A motorized bicycle and/or scooter shall not be operated in any way by any person not possessing a valid driver’s license or learner’s permit. Every person operating a motorized bicycle and/or motorized scooter upon a way shall have the right to use all public ways in the commonwealth except limited access or express state highways where signs specifically prohibiting bicycles and/or scooters have been posted, and shall be subject to traffic laws and regulations of the commonwealth and the regulations contained in the section, except that (1) the motorized bicycle and/or scooter operator may keep to the right when passing a motor vehicle which is moving in the travel lane of the way, and (2) the motorized bicycle and/or scooter shall signal by either hand his intention to stop or turn. Motorized bicycles and/or scooters may be operated on bicycle lanes adjacent to the various ways, but shall be excluded from off-street recreational bicycle paths.
Every person operating a motorized bicycle, riding as a passenger on a motorized bicycle or operating a motorized scooter shall wear protective headgear conforming with such minimum standards of construction and performance as the registrar may prescribe, and no person operating a motorized scooter shall permit any other person to ride as a passenger on such scooter. Furthermore, no person shall operate a motorized scooter during hours of darkness (before sunrise or after sunset.)
A person convicted of violation of this section shall be punished by a fine of not more than twenty-five dollars for the first offense, not less that twenty-five nor more than fifty dollars for a second offense, and not less than fifty nor more than one hundred dollars for subsequent offenses committed.


I AM SO MAD that they made this generalization!!!

DES: Segway owner....
it has a nice ring to it

The average American/Canadian will eat about 11.9 pounds of cereal per year.
Mel Blanc (the voice of Bugs Bunny) was allergic to carrots.
There are more bacteria in your mouth than there are people in the world.
Columbia University is the second largest landowner in New York City, after the Catholic Church

[dzdk6s]

quote:Originally posted by segwayowner

Take a look a the Boston Globe Article...

http://www.boston.com/news/local/articles/2004/08/20/house_votes_tighter_curbs_on_minibikes/


We will need drivers licences, cant go int eh night, have to be on streets, etc. NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!

Will post more later, i am trying to get the text of the bill....



What are Segway classified as in Mass, I think the article writer took the liberty of clumping Segway in with motorized minibikes and scooters, not the bill.

Just a thought - In AZ Segways are classified as EMPAD's and you're consider a pedestrian with all the rights and duties therein.

[IndyFIRSTengineer]

This statement in the article should be challenged:
quote:... the bill applied to any "two-wheeled device" that has handlebars and is powered by an electric- or gas-powered motor ...Has the State of Massachusets adopted the same type of code as most other states, defining an EPAMD (Segway) as a "pedestrian" for these purposes? It seems clear from the article (except for this: "... would require drivers of minimotorbikes and Segway scooters ...") that they were specifically targeting those annoying gas powered miniature motorcycles (they ARE pretty cool though, especially the mini-choppers!).

Stuart Bloom - Rolls-Royce Corporation
FIRST Team 1018 - Pike High School "RoboDevils"

“Who goes out and says, ‘You have a better probability of winning the state lottery than making a nickel in professional sports. And by the way, last year two million exciting technical jobs went unfilled in this country because you weren't there to take that job. And it pays you 10 times as much as flipping burgers, and it's fun and it's exciting and you get to create things and build things and help make the world a better place and help make yourself a better living.’ Who tells them this?”
Dean Kamen, founder - FIRST Robotics

[blobpet]

The globe article says it'll affect segway riders. However, the excerpt from the bill pertains to "a motorized bicycle and/or motorized scooter". Do segways fall under that category? If it does, will the following mean we'll be able to ride through state parks like the esplanade without being heckled by the state police like at the segway boston meet: "Every person operating a motorized bicycle and/or motorized scooter upon a way shall have the right to use all public ways in the commonwealth except limited access or express state highways where signs specifically prohibiting bicycles and/or scooters have been posted, and shall be subject to traffic laws and regulations of the commonwealth and the regulations contained in the section" At any rate, the lesson to take from this is that legislation only gets passed after public outcry, no matter how ridiculous it may be. Meanwhile segway-specific leglislation repeatedly gets stalled.

You've got a good, honest smell... like a potato.

[segwayowner]

Mass has not dome the EPMAD status for Segways, and this bill names the segway directly.

DES: Segway owner....
it has a nice ring to it

The average American/Canadian will eat about 11.9 pounds of cereal per year.
Mel Blanc (the voice of Bugs Bunny) was allergic to carrots.
There are more bacteria in your mouth than there are people in the world.
Columbia University is the second largest landowner in New York City, after the Catholic Church

[SegwayUtah]

Okay, so here's the scoop:

Mass. Senate bill 1393:
http://www.mass.gov/legis/bills/st01393.htm

[Is this the one that was passed? It doesn't seem to define "motorized scooter", but the HOUSE bill (which I don't think has passed -- we need to get involved right away), bill 1544]:
quote:“Motorized scooter” any two wheeled device that has handlebars, designed to be stood or sat upon by the operator, powered by an electric or “gas powered” motor that is capable of propelling the device with or without human propulsion.
...
http://www.mass.gov/legis/bills/house/ht01544.htm

It looks like the state has made a very gross over-generalization in their definition of "motorized scooter," and that it does indeed include such safe transportation options like the Segway Human Transporter. Additionally, anyone with motor-assist on their bicycle is included as well, even if the motor is off.

SEG Boston, what can we do?

Chris

[legpain]

Someone NEEDS to write a really great letter about the merits of the Segway that ALL of us could send to any states governing body!

John

[PD1]

Uggh! The mention of Pep Boys in the article and 2 wheeled scooters makes me think that the 'Q' might be exempt. That's a sad thought. I wonder if you could rig up a false third wheel bogey. PD1



The Seg I ride is named after my Aunt Eileen.

[axiotek]

just calm down now, don't get excited. the globe article is inaccruate, look for a retraction in coming days. the version of the bill that passed bothhouses regulates only tandem vehicles, thanks to the good work of supporters behind the scenes.

www.segwayboston.org

PS: the bill has not yet been signed by the Gov, that much is accurate.

[segwayowner]

and even look at the tite, they didnt make an official vote on it.

DES: Segway owner....
it has a nice ring to it

The average American/Canadian will eat about 11.9 pounds of cereal per year.
Mel Blanc (the voice of Bugs Bunny) was allergic to carrots.
There are more bacteria in your mouth than there are people in the world.
Columbia University is the second largest landowner in New York City, after the Catholic Church

[SegwayUtah]

axiotek,

I was just going to say "couldn't we insert the word tandem in there?" It looks like everyone is ahead of the game.

Chris

[blobpet]

Hold on, now. Senate bill 1393 and House No. 1544 were from last year. They clearly state In the Year Two Thousand and Three. We need the text for the current bill.

quote:Originally posted by SegwayUtah

Okay, so here's the scoop:

Mass. Senate bill 1393:
http://www.mass.gov/legis/bills/st01393.htm

[Is this the one that was passed? It doesn't seem to define "motorized scooter", but the HOUSE bill (which I don't think has passed -- we need to get involved right away), bill 1544]:
quote:“Motorized scooter” any two wheeled device that has handlebars, designed to be stood or sat upon by the operator, powered by an electric or “gas powered” motor that is capable of propelling the device with or without human propulsion.
...
http://www.mass.gov/legis/bills/house/ht01544.htm

It looks like the state has made a very gross over-generalization in their definition of "motorized scooter," and that it does indeed include such safe transportation options like the Segway Human Transporter. Additionally, anyone with motor-assist on their bicycle is included as well, even if the motor is off.

SEG Boston, what can we do?



Chris



You've got a good, honest smell... like a potato.

[blobpet]

The best thing to do right now is to contact your state rep if you live in MA. I just sent an email to my rep, Colleen Garry, asking for clarification on what's going on. The reps obviously think what they're doing is regulating the use of pocket bikes, but if this bill is overly broad as we fear it may be, we need to make sure the legislature understands this.

You've got a good, honest smell... like a potato.

[segwayowner]

Sorry, it just seemed like a generalization comining Segways with the mini-bikes. Pheuf!

Sory....

DES: Segway owner....
it has a nice ring to it

The average American/Canadian will eat about 11.9 pounds of cereal per year.
Mel Blanc (the voice of Bugs Bunny) was allergic to carrots.
There are more bacteria in your mouth than there are people in the world.
Columbia University is the second largest landowner in New York City, after the Catholic Church

[blobpet]

Ok, the house bill for this is indeed 1544. Here's a link to the history of the bill: http://www.mass.gov/legis/history/h01544.htm. This bill was introduced at the beginning of last year. It would seem that the influx of motorized bicycles spurred the movement of this bill through the house.

You've got a good, honest smell... like a potato.

[SegwayUtah]

The Segway HT was not included in the bill that passed last night. In fact, the Segway HT was exempted from it.

See my other post here:
http://www.segwaychat.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=8927

Or the Engadget post from Eric Fleming, Communications Coordinator, Segway LLC:
http://www.engadget.com/entry/1882334811155322/

Chris

[KSagal]

So if it is 1544, just where is the updated wording? If the wording related to tandem wheels is inserted, where is that documentation. I can see that having a copy with us might be a good idea.

Karl Ian Sagal

Each road you travel should be just a bit better for having had you pass.

[Race3]

There should be an update on this issue in a few days. I can assure you that people are working hard to resolve this matter and it is being taken very seriously.

Overall, the MA legislation has not yet been completed, so we can not yet confirm that the segway's legal status is safe or not.

Hopefully the right people will soon comprehend the incredible benefits and superb safety record of the HT.

Thanks!

-Marc

[KSagal]

This whole situation just bites!

Karl Ian Sagal

Each road you travel should be just a bit better for having had you pass.

[KSagal]

I should clarify. I live in a sleepy little suburb that is haunted as many are by those loud gas powered scooters. I see more of the motorized scateboard type than any other. You can hear those things comming a mile away, and often ridden by kids at speeds often beyond the speed limit as well as well beyond safe.

The sad part is that though fixing that problem is well overdue, the probability of this leftist, socialist commonwealth doing the big brother thing and lumping the good with the bad is all too real.

I can only hope that soon there will be some sort of a press conference where the statement, " I voted to restrict the segway before I voted not to restrict the segway," is heard...

Karl Ian Sagal

Each road you travel should be just a bit better for having had you pass.

[bicycledriver]

quote:"Motorized scooter" any two wheeled device that has handlebars, designed to be stood or sat upon by the operator, powered by an electric or “gas powered” motor that is capable of propelling the device with or without human propulsion.

What does the motorcycle lobby think of this? Or moped users? The bill's definition covers these vehicles. Motorcyclists won't like being banned from freeways, forced to travel at slow speeds, and prohibited from traveling at night.

What does the bill sponsor hope to accomplish? If underage people are driving mopeds and motorcycles, then ticket them. If people are violating the traffic laws with small vehicles, cite them for the moving violations they commit. If there is too much vehicle noise on the streets, then pass a meaningful vehicle noise emission law.

I think the real purpose of the bill is to deny mobility to people who are being empowered by affordable vehicles. The prejudice displayed against the travel mode is largely a transferred prejudice against the demographic who is using them, and an underlying desire to clear the streets of this demographic, to make way for the richer, the more powerful, and the more politically connected.

[whistler]

Youuuuuuuuuu got it..... you win the prize......... whatever it is....
The rich and powerful just HAVE to step on the peasants as often as they can........ it's in their nature....... they cannot avoid it....
There has always been and always will be those who impose their will on those who have no power.......
But, the Segway is mostly for the rich and powerful........ so they may ALLOW some of the peasants to use one of those....... but not the cheaper scooters and such........ no way.......

[segwayowner]

JFTR,
It doesnt seem as the Boston Globe has issued a retraction, or a clarification.

DES: Segway owner....
it has a nice ring to it

The average American/Canadian will eat about 11.9 pounds of cereal per year.
Mel Blanc (the voice of Bugs Bunny) was allergic to carrots.
There are more bacteria in your mouth than there are people in the world.
Columbia University is the second largest landowner in New York City, after the Catholic Church

[brianh]

yeah, here's the latest in today's Globe:

http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2004/08/21/segway146s_quest_for_acclaim_faces_uphill_climb_in _state/

[fredkap]

The article is a good article, differentiating the Segway from the ear piercing motorized skateboards that are dangerous.

Hopefully, an exception will be made for Segways. One of my special concerns is the disabled community that uses Segways. In San Francisco which banned Segways but permitted them for the disabled community, one of our disabled members had someone lunge at her to knock her off of her machine because HE was a good citizen wanting to make sure that no one broke the law.

Hopefully this law banning something that most people don't understand won't go through.

Good luck Massachusetts.

Fred

[IndyFIRSTengineer]

quote:Originally posted by fredkap

The article is a good article, differentiating the Segway from the ear piercing motorized skateboards that are dangerous.Well ... almost ... Where did THIS come from? Why can't these journalists get their facts straight?!?!?! quote:Some riders complain about tipping over on Segways when they're first learning, but the company says they are easy to operate. I have NEVER heard of anyone "tipping over ... when they're first learning"

quote:Originally posted by fredkap

Hopefully, an exception will be made for Segways. One of my special concerns is the disabled community that uses Segways. In San Francisco which banned Segways but permitted them for the disabled community, one of our disabled members had someone lunge at her to knock her off of her machine because HE was a good citizen wanting to make sure that no one broke the law.That's unbelievable! Hope she was not hurt ...

Stuart Bloom - Rolls-Royce Corporation
FIRST Team 1018 - Pike High School "RoboDevils"

“Who goes out and says, ‘You have a better probability of winning the state lottery than making a nickel in professional sports. And by the way, last year two million exciting technical jobs went unfilled in this country because you weren't there to take that job. And it pays you 10 times as much as flipping burgers, and it's fun and it's exciting and you get to create things and build things and help make the world a better place and help make yourself a better living.’ Who tells them this?”
Dean Kamen, founder - FIRST Robotics

[segwayowner]

You realize the author of this article, is the guy that just posted on here looking for our opinion? The views in the article must be of some1 on this site.

DES: Segway owner....
it has a nice ring to it

The average American/Canadian will eat about 11.9 pounds of cereal per year.
Mel Blanc (the voice of Bugs Bunny) was allergic to carrots.
There are more bacteria in your mouth than there are people in the world.
Columbia University is the second largest landowner in New York City, after the Catholic Church

[Florida Ever-Glides]

I spoke with him (the author) at length yesterday on the virtues of the Segway and how they are operated on our sidewalks everyday without incident...

Tom Jacobson
http://www.floridaever-glides.com

[JohnM]

Again, you folks are not doing your homework and getting all worked up over nothing. You're all concerned over a scooter bill

http://www.mass.gov/legis/bills/house/ht01544.htm
http://www.mass.gov/legis/history/h01544.htm

when you should be concerned about getting the EPAMD bill

http://www.mass.gov/legis/bills/house/ht01550.htm
http://www.mass.gov/legis/history/h01550.htm

passed.



JohnM
If riding 2 hours is fun, then riding 20 hours is 10 times more fun.
RUSA #235

[axiotek]

I?d just like to echo bicycledriver?s comments. We have motor vehicle laws in our state already governing these issues. In fact, a local paper ran a story here about that very issue and how this pending new law was confusing, redundant and would hurt local businesses. A local rep was quoted as saying something like: ?well, it depends on who you talk to and we need clarification which this bill will provide.

Bicycledriver is entire correct about the demographic and in his other comments. I live in a primarily minority, inner-city neighborhood and minibikes are very popular here. Only the noise bothers me, yet I recognize their legitimate use for transportation purposes. We have noise ordinances for that purpose yet, like most other traffic laws, they are rarely enforced. Additional regulation, especially poorly defined, will not address the real issues, absent enforcement.

The status of Segway fate in MA hangs in the balance thanks to ignorance, intolerance and a few powerful legislators who simply dislike the HT (and have been blocking the EPAMD bill for those of you who are curious as to why we don?t have it.)


www.segwayboston.org

[bicycledriver]

As Axiotek implied, there are already state laws that cover the operation of motorcycles, mopeds, motorized bicycles, and everything in between. This is an enforcement problem, not a legislative problem. What is happening is that a younger, lower-income demographic is taking to the streets in large numbers and violating the traffic laws. But the police do not want to enforce the traffic laws and educate the public about safe motorcycle/moped/motorized bicycle use, because that would take more work. They prefer to remove this newly empowered demographic from the streets altogether. Class discrimination is easier than behavior discrimination.

When politically powerful groups, such as the truck lobby, wish to expose the public to possible danger, the government bends over backward to try to regulate behavior so that the inherently dangerous activity can be practiced with a more tolerable level of risk. But when a politically weak or outcast class wishes to expose the public to an activity that is just a little different, but inherently more safe than many other activities, the knee-jerk reaction of prejudice is to prohibit it by class.

[KSagal]

I hate to voice a different view, but I don't see this as a class issue as presented. I simply see it as an overly simple solution to a real problem. I live in the suburbs, and those loud scateboard type scooters are a noise and safety hazard. They are often operated by minors at speeds beyond safe, regardless of the noise.

The problem is that a bunch of non-educated social reformers want to have government interfere with every aspect of every minute of our lives in this state. I'll agree to the class issue to where Beacon Hill will put more effort to trying to control areas where they think it will not annoy their donation base. They don't want to loose money, but as far as vote... they think we are all sheeple, and will follow anybody. Unfortunately, they wouldn't feel that way if more people took the effort to prove them wrong.

I hope that 1544 gets it's wording changed, and 1550 gets passed.


Karl Ian Sagal

Each road you travel should be just a bit better for having had you pass.

[segwayowner]

I agree completely, Karl.

I think that this should be a simple solution, to a simple problem, but with our goverment, that is all we can hope for.

We all hope that 1544 gets an overhaul, and the word gets out that it is being re-worded.

DES: Segway owner....
it has a nice ring to it

The average American/Canadian will eat about 11.9 pounds of cereal per year.
Mel Blanc (the voice of Bugs Bunny) was allergic to carrots.
There are more bacteria in your mouth than there are people in the world.
Columbia University is the second largest landowner in New York City, after the Catholic Church

[q]

//

whilst reading the proposed leg-
islation, i kept trying to fathom
how a segway is a scooter.

kthxbye.

q.

//

[JohnM]

quote:Originally posted by q


whilst reading the proposed leg-
islation, i kept trying to fathom
how a segway is a scooter.


Read 1550. It isn't.
http://www.mass.gov/legis/bills/house/ht01550.htm



JohnM
If riding 2 hours is fun, then riding 20 hours is 10 times more fun.
RUSA #235

[dupa]

The Mass. story is bad news for Segway. The Boston Globe, a great paper, has been making fun of Kamen and Segway since the reveal. They have had numerous articles, cartoons, and editorials over the past two years that have all been negative. I don't know why they have this attitude, but it is definately there. And being the most influential liberal paper in a liberal state, it's a huge problem for Segway. I wrote a scathing, but well written and thought out letter a few years ago, but it never made it into the paper.
I strongly suggest a letter campaign to congressmen there.

[Blinky]

quote:Originally posted by JohnM

quote:Originally posted by q


whilst reading the proposed leg-
islation, i kept trying to fathom
how a segway is a scooter.


Read 1550. It isn't.
http://www.mass.gov/legis/bills/house/ht01550.htm



JohnM
If riding 2 hours is fun, then riding 20 hours is 10 times more fun.
RUSA #235

JohnM is probably right, here is feedback left by someone at Segway about it at engadget.com about the story.

quote:Dear PT and engadget readers:

To the best of our knowledge, the Boston Globe and Associated Press articles this morning were incorrect. In fact, the bill that was passed last night was for tandem-wheeled scooters, not nontandem-wheeled Segway HTs.

We appreciate the online community's continued support in helping others to understand the uniqueness of the Segway HT and its pedestrian-friendly qualities.

Regards,
Eric Fleming
Communications Coordinator, Segway LLC


Full website link (http://www.engadget.com/entry/1882334811155322/)



http://www.segwaychat.com/photos/Blinky/Blinkyblink.gif http://www.segwaychat.com/photos/Blinky/mrblinky.jpg

[KSagal]

I must disagree, Dupa!

The globe is not a great paper, it is a rag. You are right about it being liberal, but that should be on the editorial pages, and instead, it reeks of it in propaganda on the front page. When liberalism taints the news stories to the point that they are no longer factual, you have the Boston Globe.

It is an embarassment to any sentient Bostonian.



Karl Ian Sagal

Each road you travel should be just a bit better for having had you pass.

[Race3]

Good news! The House voted today not to concur with the Senate amendments which had placed Segway back into the motor scooter bill.

-Marc

[blobpet]

quote:Originally posted by Race3

Good news! The House voted today not to concur with the Senate amendments which had placed Segway back into the motor scooter bill.

-Marc



Marc, is there an online source for this info?

Thanks,
Yan

You've got a good, honest smell... like a potato.

[SegwayUtah]

quote:Originally posted by Race3

Good news! The House voted today not to concur with the Senate amendments which had placed Segway back into the motor scooter bill.

:D[8D]:) :D[8D]:) :D[8D]:)

Chris

[Race3]

Yan,
I don't believe the online site has been updated yet.

-Marc

[trevor]

"Bill on minimotorbikes hits roadblock"
Boston Globe, August 25, 2004

http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2004/08/25/bill_on_minimotorbikes_hits_roadblock/

"The Cambridge Democrat's amendment struck the word tandem from the bill, making it apply to both minimotorbikes and Segways, a scooter-style vehicle that some legislators did not want included."

[axiotek]

never thought I'd say it, but thank god for the republicans.

quote:
The legislative aide for Representative Robert Fennell, a Lynn Democrat and a sponsor of the bill, said Fennell never intended Segways to be included.

"From our office's perspective, our feeling has always been that Segway caters to a different market that generally is older, has a driver's license and insurance, and has responsibility with experience on the road," said the aide, Anna Waclawiczek.

Isn't that last bit more or less what bicycledriver was talking about. Don't get me wrong, I'm not complaining, but it has much more to do with politics than real threats to public safety as we all know already, true for minibikes as well as Segways.

Also of interest: Barrios quote from op-ed piece in Boston Globe from July 2003 quote: Current law prohibits all motorized vehicles, except wheelchairs, from traveling on sidewalks...

Of course, segways are not motorized vehicles, now, are they. :-)



www.segwayboston.org

[KSagal]

Being the hardcore conservative (not Republican) that I am, I have been requested to relay to Axiotek the following statement:

"You are welcome for Republicans..."

I will not admit to whom that statement came from.


Karl Ian Sagal

Each road you travel should be just a bit better for having had you pass.

[PoloAk]

quote:Originally posted by axiotek

never thought I'd say it, but thank god for the republicans.

Well, they aren't all old, ugly, and overweight. Some right-leaning individuals are fun, jazz-loving, segway fanatics with huge shoe collections. <grin>


quote:Originally posted by axiotek
Of course, segways are not motorized vehicles, now, are they. :-)

This depends upon the state law. Alaska (state) defines the HT as a EPAMD while my hometown (Anchorage) defines anything with motor-driven wheels as a motorized vehicle. Including wheelchairs. My opinion is if I can't ride on the sidewalks, then all the handicapped and wheelchair bound individuals better be made to ride in the street too. Oh wait. There are often other laws prohibiting slow-moving "vehicles" from the street too. In Anchorage, between the hours of 8 & 11 am and then 3 to 7pm, all "vehicles" incapable of moving 15 mph cannot be on the roads. *sigh* Of course, the state attourny's office also told me that these laws are so old that they'd not stand up in court should the demonic Traffic Cop write me a citation.

Power to the Ht's :)

Kelsey

"Half of the world has an IQ of less than average. Think about it. . ."

[bicycledriver]

quote:Originally posted by axiotek
quote:
"From our office's perspective, our feeling has always been that Segway caters to a different market that generally is older, has a driver's license and insurance, and has responsibility with experience on the road," said the aide, Anna Waclawiczek.

Isn't that last bit more or less what bicycledriver was talking about. Don't get me wrong, I'm not complaining, but it has much more to do with politics than real threats to public safety as we all know already, true for minibikes as well as Segways.


Yup - mopeds and other traditional motor scooters are affordable transportation for the great unwashed masses, some of whom haven't learned how to obey the traffic laws. Segways are viewed as an expensive toy for the wealthy, most of whom already own or have owned cars. The politicians aren't worried about the wealthy drivers - it's the unwashed masses they have a problem with. But instead of educating and enforcing the traffic laws for the masses, the politicians prefer to simply take away their mopeds and scooters, or at least prohibit useful commuting with them during darkness.


-Steve Goodridge