I'm calling my reps today to oppose this; I have enough [censored] from
runners and skaters. Of course, perhaps the Segways will mow a few
down for me.
From Newsday, original article:
http://www.newsday.com/news/local/state/ny-stsegw165333845aug16,0,4479510.story
For those that don't like links:
ALBANY - Gov. Eliot Spitzer vetoed a measure yesterday that would have
allowed Segways in bike lanes, park trails and road shoulders, just
like bicycles.
The two-wheeled, self-balancing scooters are permitted only on private
property because they are considered motor vehicles that lack the turn
signals or windshields required for use on roads.
The governor vetoed the bill because Segways and bicycles are too
different to be used in similar places, and allowing Segways on roads
would cause a "number of public safety issues," a state source said.
The governor's office noted that the Segway owner's manual says it is
not intended for use on roads.
The legislation, sponsored by Sen. Owen Johnson (R-West Babylon), was
opposed by a wide range of groups, including the American Automobile
Association, New York Public Interest Research Group and the New York
Conference of Mayors. The groups said they were concerned that it
would result in having Segways on sidewalks and in other
pedestrian-only zones, as original legislation introduced in 2002
attempted. The bill would have permitted individual localities to
decide whether they wanted the devices on sidewalks.
Johnson first met the Segway's creator, Dean Kamen, originally from
Rockville Centre, 10 years ago, when Kamen helped set up a
school-business partnership involving robotics. Johnson said he found
the Segway easy to use. "It's something that would be very useful in
suburban areas," he said. "You can go get a bottle of milk without
using a gallon of gasoline," he said.
New York City police use 10 of the devices to patrol parks, beaches
and stadiums, and the City of Long Beach bought two to monitor the
boardwalk.
Segway insists its products are suited for close-to-home, one-person
trips that the federal Environmental Protection Agency estimates make
up almost half of the 900 million car trips Americans take each year.
The American Lung Association was not convinced the device would be
used instead of automobiles. "For years the state has encouraged New
Yorkers to reduce vehicle miles traveled by walking, taking mass
transit or car pooling," Michael Seilback, senior director of public
policy for the American Lung Association of New York State. "This bill
is about providing people with an alternative to walking."
Formula One Motor Sports dealer Peter Joseph sells about 10 to 15
Segways a month in Oakdale. He said most of his customers are middle
or upper class, and in their late 30s. "It's something they see and
they want to take part in it," he said, adding that he also sells many
for warehouse managers.
The bill, which had been kicking around the legislature for five years
but had yet to reach the governor's desk before this year, passed the
Senate 55-6 and the Assembly 100-30, which would be enough to override
the veto.
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