Asking for the rules for using Segways.

[Rolacoy]

My wife and I both have i2's that we have recently bought. We live in East Texas near Shreveport, LA. There are a number of state parks, lakes, malls, a river walk in Shreveport. Jefferson, Texas is full of tourist traps (antique stores). Tyler, Texas has a zoo, but I am not sure if we can use our Segways in these areas.

We want to go on a shake-down-crusie in the next few days before we make a trip to New orleans. We just need to decide which place to go. Today I will make some calls to see where the restrictions may be, we both have handi-cap cards. Also I am thinking about e-mailing the following note, with a picture of a Segway (few people know what they are), to some of them to see what they say.

_____________________
I am inquiring about the use of a Segway at your facilities, Segway picture posted below. My wife and I each own a Segway. We are wanting to know if we are allowed to use them _______(name of location)________.
_____________________

If I get a negative answer, then reply with the following:

Highlights of the Final Rule to Amend the Department of Justice's Regulation Implementing Title II of the ADA and the Summary of changes to the ADA.

[Suzined]

I've been gliding for nearly four years with only two problems--one now resolved. I have the (very expensive) handicapped placard. The first problem was with Westfield Malls. That issue was resolved with the court decision in Arizona. Technically I'm supposed to sign waivers, wear protective stuff, ad nausium, all of which I ignore. The other problem is IKEA. Having checked the store out on foot, I decided I didn't want to shop there anyway...cheap trashy merchandize.

Basically, when I'm on a sidewalk I follow pedestrian rule plus yield right of way to pedestrians. In bike lanes I follow bicycle rules. When gliding on a street I follow automobile rules. Once I was told by a rent-a-cop that my Segway was not allowed. I asked him if wheelchairs were allowed. When he said "Of course" I told him the Segway was my wheelchair. He thought for a minute then told me to be careful. I thanked him and suggested he could use on his rounds. We had a nice discussion and I told him about Segs4Vets.

I've learned not to ask permission--it's too easy to say "No". I do not ask permission because I'm a hard-headed Dane.


I ask cruise lines what their policy is since I'd rather avoid being left on a dock. Norwegian Cruise Lines will not allow Segways but they have a miserable record of accomodating the disabled, lost a major ADA case before the U.S. Supreme Court and continually finds new ways of discriminating. I do recommend Royal Caribbeean. Royal Caribbean is very friendly, glad to see you, and very helpful.

Locally, when I first got my Segway I took it to a City Council meeting and made a short statement about how useful it was. The next morning I visited police headquarters and gave everyone a ride. Later that week I took the Segway to a County Commissioner's meeting and did my lounge act. It's been four years and my Segway is now a familiar piece of junk in the local landscape. I did run into one attractive young woman who verbally assaulted me for my inherently dangerouse weapon of mass discussion. She was probably from Seattle or some other city of equally ill repute. (I consider any city of over 10,000 a city of ill repute...)

[Rolacoy]

This is interesting I have made several calls.

The first was to the police department in a town near here and the lady who answered said that if I brought them she wanted a ride. She said that she was sure that they were allowed. That would fall under the Texas State Law that allows us to use roads that have posted speed limits under 30 or 35 mph, I don't remember which. then I called the Department of Public Safety in Austin and was told that they are not allowed on public roads, because they are not registered.

The second one that I called was an open air mall and was told by the manager that they were not allowed, but that if I would call ahead and let him know that he would allow us to use them on a weekday when the crowd was low. I suggested that his security people might try them out and said No, he didn't want them asking for Segways.

The third one of our local State Parks told me that Segways are legal even if you are not handicapped in all Texas parks.

I called the Zoo in Tyler and was told no, but they would call me back about handicap riders.

As some on here have said before, it is easy to say no. Maybe we should just not ask and wait to be told no, but I don't want to load up, drive to the location and then have to stop, load and leave. In a month the new ADA laws will come out and we will see how that effects us.

[Rolacoy]

The Tyler, Texas Zoo called back and said no. The reason is there are too many hills. However, they do offer hand operated wheel chairs for rent. It seems to me that any place a wheelchair can go a Segway can go.

Question, How will the new ADA laws affect this ruling?

[Lily Kerns]

Originally Posted by Rolacoy

The Tyler, Texas Zoo called back and said no. The reason is there are too many hills. However, they do offer hand operated wheel chairs for rent. It seems to me that any place a wheelchair can go a Segway can go.

Question, How will the new ADA laws affect this ruling?

Good grief! Especially a hand wheel chair where there are too many hills!!!

My suggestion-- If they allow hand operated wheelchairs, offer to show them how Segways handle hills! That was one of the things our zoo director wanted me to demonstrate when the local Park Board was deciding whether or not Segs would be allowed to use the city trails and facilities. They did have another way around for wheelchairs, but he wanted to see if I could handle the hill. I sailed to the top, made a graceful turn and came down. Halfway down, I stopped, backed up a ways and came the rest of the way. Yup, I was showing off. <G> They also have a section of trail with several switchbacks. These had to have a good bit of space to allow wheelchairs to make a 3 point turn. I just sailed around those corners with immense gracefulness. Showing off again. <G>

New ADA rules? who knows! The DOJ obviously doesn't (as evidenced in the phone call I referenced in an earlier post.) However these new rules have to be safety based. Having been in a runaway hand wheelchair on a steep hill, I choose a Segway! I would say that just saying that there are too many hills would not be an aceptable reason since a Segway can handle the uphill at a a consistent speed, and, on the down hill, will never gain speed, will always be under control and will actually slow down a bit. If they don't believe you, they can email me! <G> I would say that the new rules put the burden of proof on them, not you...

If I were you, I'd get right back into their face with a request to do a demo for them at a time of their choosing...

Hmmmm... I wonder if one could make a case for discrimination if they refuse to allow you to demonstrate its capabilities under those conditions??? They are supposed to be able to demonstrate their reasons... although it is not at all clear when, where, how, by whom or to whom that demonstration is to be done...

Keep us posted!

[Rolacoy]

Some say don't ask just go. I may try that some also, but I don't ant to drive 40 miles and be ran off. Also being asked to leave really gets under my skin.

We have decided to make a shake-down trip to some friends house who live on a lake about 60 miles from home. I know we can glide on the lake roads and mostly I am testing my hauler and how the Segways make the trip.