Move to ban scooters from S.F. sidewalks

[Casey]

October 1, 2002 - San Francisco Chronicle - Two days after Gov. Gray Davis signed a bill legalizing the use of the electric Segway Scooter on California sidewalks, San Francisco Supervisor Chris Daly introduced legislation that would ban the two-wheelers in the city. Full Article (http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2002/10/01/BA58017.DTL&type=travel)

[Casey]

quote:Move to ban scooters from S.F. sidewalks

Rachel Gordon, Chronicle Staff Writer Tuesday, October 1, 2002

Two days after Gov. Gray Davis signed a bill legalizing the use of the electric Segway Scooter on California sidewalks, San Francisco Supervisor Chris Daly introduced legislation that would ban the two-wheelers in the city.

"These things are dangerous," Daly said Monday. "We need to take action."

The state law allows local governments to impose their own prohibitions on the electric scooters, which can travel up to 12 1/2 mph. Senior citizens groups lobbied against the state bill, arguing that the sidewalks already were dangerous enough for pedestrians, who have to contend with skateboarders, bicyclists, strollers and in-line skaters.

"It's distressing the governor again shows lack of concern for the safety of vulnerable populations: seniors, disabled and young children," said Bob Planthold, spokesman for Senior Action Network, a San Francisco advocacy group.

The scooters had been outlawed on California sidewalks until Davis put his signature on the bill Saturday legalizing the battery-operated people movers manufactured by Segway. The U.S. Postal Service already bought 40 of the $9, 000 machines to test in six cities across the nation, including San Francisco.

While no accidents were reported in the city during the Postal Service's test run, Daly said it was only a matter of time.

"Cities now have to take action to protect residents from the newest danger on the sidewalk," he said.

His proposed ban still must be approved by the Board of Supervisors and Mayor Willie Brown before it can go into effect.

E-mail Rachel Gordon at rgordon@sfchronicle.com.