Segway law clear as mud...

[Tiberius]

...following clarification by Judge.

I always thought the legal side of these was clear - you can't use them on the road in the UK. But read this report:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-south-yorkshire-12215326
US readers should note that here in England, "pavement" means "sidewalk".

I though the position was summed up by the paragraph:
"Campaigners say they are effectively barred from using the machines on pavements if they are classed as motor vehicles, but cannot drive them on roads because they do not pass all the requirements of a motor vehicle."

Except that if you look up the definition of "road" in the Road Traffic Act, it includes the pavement, sorry, sidewalk.

Electric bikes are defined as not being motor vehicles, provided they are less than 250 W and 15 mph. That has the bizarre effect of making them subject to traffic laws but exempt from speed limits, as the speed limits are imposed by a separate act that refers only to motor vehicles. You can't ride a bike, electric or otherwise on the pavement, but there is an official instruction that the police are ignore this unless you take the piss.

Nick

 

[TylerDurden]

Seems clear to me...

Over here we have plenty of "motor vehicles" that cannot be used on roadways or sidewalks: pocket-bikes (mini-motos), go-peds, quads, etc.

They are basically motor vehicles that fail to meet safety regulations.

 

[Jeremy Harris]

I looked at this a while ago, it seems that various attempts to get Segways legal have failed. People have previously tried to get them classed as mobility scooters, to no avail (the DfT pointed out that mobility devices need at least three wheels and a seat).

This case doesn't clarify the law, though, as it was in a Magistrates Court, a court where legal precedents can't be set. The whole idea of using a bit of legislation that is 145 years old to ban an electric vehicle invented in the last ten years or so seems a bit OTT to me. Like anyone here in the UK you're in a Catch 22 situation if you invent a new means of transportation - it won't be legal unless it complies with the Type Approval requirements and it probably can't comply with the Type Approval requirements because it's a new and novel means of transportation...............

What really bugs me about this is that the law they're using was never framed to stop people doing things like this. It's a misuse of legislation and one that needs sorting out.

Jeremy

 

[knoxie]

Yes totally agree, how stupid is this? there are more than a few mobility vehicles in my town that exceed 12mph (im not kidding and no its nothing to do with me) ha ha, the problem comes with the fact that the Segway is so unusual looking and draws attention. Its ludicrous as you can spend 600 UK pounds and make an e-bike that will do 30mph and ride it on the paths and most likely never get stopped.

There was something similar in my local paper, a disabled guy has been told he cant ride this on the road? again for all the same reasons, I dont have a huge amount of sympathy for Mr Segway he must have checked the situation before he spent 5000 quid on it surely?

Our UK laws are ridiculous when it comes to EV's plain and simple thats why we all bend them!

How this guy figured he would be able to use this on the path is beyond me? still I cant blame him for trying

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/art...road-tank-wheelchair-killjoy-DVLA-chiefs.html

 

[Lessss]

Actually I think the law is doing exactly what it was designed to do. They had these things called autopeds - think gas driven segway. They wanted them outlawed as it allowed people to get around easily without have to pay for taxi's, buy a car or horse. To make them legal you need to properly bribe the right politicians in the right amount of money.

Segway in the us has been doing exactly that. Bribing laws to be passed one state at a time. Ironically as they go they are sabotaging the ebike laws(their cheaper competition).

 

[Lessss]

The guy in the tank chair needs to sue on the grounds of winter accessibility; as well as accessibility to stair access only locals. Claim the pavement snow cleaners are not seen for days on end leaving teh pavements impassible in a regular chair.

That chair looks perfect for Canadian climate.

 

[x88x]

Sounds like the law here in MD about electric stand-up scooters. Basically you can't use them anywhere legally except on private property. Doesn't keep them from selling though.. :?

 

[MikeFairbanks]

Where I live they allow (on our streets and separate paved paths for golf carts) golf carts, bike, electric bikes, but not electric scooters. You can use a regular kick scooter (like the Razors) but not electric. I think it's because of the kids riding them.

 

[redorblack]

http://www.powerchair-review.co.uk/ Site for a guy that has been modding his wheelchairs for a while now, making them much quicker and safer.

That tracked mobility chair is outlawed? Why? How? I'd throw the municipality into court and trounce them with the ADA on my side. The majority of people needing a powered wheelchair are stuck with amazingly overpriced utter crap to choose from. Then the device is made slow and hard to maneuver... for safety reasons... even though in the real world it means they often can't get up over the lips from the road to a sidewalk, and the steering is so delayed you can't go where you are aiming and whack yourself on door frames, cabinets, etc. And they are so slow you can't get anywhere in a reasonable amount of time or maneuver out of the way of danger heading your way.

I love the tracked chair... no problem in ice, snow, mud.