Gov. Davis Signs California Bill [Archive]

Casey

09-29-2002, 08:04 AM

quote:
Davis signs bill allowing Segways on sidewalks at local option

The Associated Press - Last modified: September 28. 2002 6:31PM

Starting next year Californians could be zipping along sidewalks on electric personal assistive mobility devices under a bill signed Saturday by Gov. Gray Davis.

The devices are two-wheel vehicles that have electric motors, carry one person, can turn in place and run at top speeds of less than 20 mph.

Currently, only one firm, the Segway Co., the sponsor of the bill, has a patent to make the devices, which it calls Segway Human Transporters.

Segway has built an assembly plant in Manchester, N.H., that is designed to produce 40,000 transporters a month by the end of 2003.

The bill signed by Davis allows the vehicles to be used on sidewalks, but it gives local governments the ability to regulate how, where and when they are used or to ban them altogether.

"This new and innovative means of individual transportation would allow people to move throughout urban environments without pollution, significant levels of noise or massive parking areas," Davis said.

"The ability of local governments to regulate the time, place and manner of ... use, including banning the use of these devices in some or all areas of a community, is appropriate."

Segway officials say the 65-pound transporters, which look something like an upright push lawnmower and have a top speed of 12.5 mph, are too small and slow to use on streets. But groups representing pedestrians and the blind worry that the devices pose a risk to walkers.

The bill, by Sen. Tom Torlakson, D-Antioch, requires the devices come with front, rear and side reflectors, lamps for nighttime use and a system that allows the driver to bring the vehicle to a controlled stop.

Torlakson's bill takes effect March 1 and will sunset on Jan. 1, 2008.
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On the Net: Read the bill, SB1918, at www.senate.ca.gov