Attorney-General Simon Corbell is asking for your thoughts on people riding Segway scooters around town.
“Segways have proven to be a popular activity around Lake Burley Griffin, and the government has taken a detailed look at a range of situations where they could be used, like on or off roads,” Mr Corbell said.
“Segways operate in many great cities around the world where they are used for tourist, general transport and mobility reasons, and the ACT government is looking into the possibility of creating legislation that would allow segways to be more widely used in the ACT.”
A Segway is a self balancing, two wheeled vehicle that is currently illegal to use in the ACT other than on private property or in accordance with the Road Transport (General) (Segway Exemption) Determination 2011 (No. 2).
Mr Corbell said that special consideration had been given to the safety of those riding segways and also other road users in developing the discussion paper.
“Safety of all road users and pedestrians is paramount in this discussion, and community views from key stakeholders are welcomed as part of the consultation period,” Mr Corbell said.
A number of case studies, from around the world, have also been considered in the discussion paper, which give an important insight into some of the challenges and benefits that segways have presented in a practical sense already.”
JACS are hosting the discussion paper which has three options:
- 1. Permit commercial Segway use only
2. Permit individual Segway use only
3. Permit both commercial and individual Segway use
Your thoughts?
Loading ...[Photo in which Simon is disappointing not on a Segway courtesy of his office]
Sandman said :
Sad but true. (Except I’d add it’s not just skills and coordination but attitude.) I haven’t voted yet. I like the idea, I wish it would work. But people will spoil it and then it’ll be a problem to get rid of.
Watson said :
Because the large portion of people who would be using them don’t have the appropriate skills and co-ordination to operate in a safe manner around other users. I’d like to be able to let go of my 2 year olds hand while walking around Garema place without fear of her getting squashed by a twatmobile. Easier to ban before everyone gets used to it rather than try to take them away later. (by the way, this is the opinion of someone who owns almost every kind of wheeled or motored vehicle. If they do legalize them I’ll buy one, even though I don’t think society as a whole is ready for them).
Dante said :
I can’t think of any vehicle that is permitted both on the roads and footpaths. I’ve noticed 3 positives mentioned about Segways:
1) They’re good for tourists
2) They’re fun
3) People with disabilities use them
In response:
1) We should legislate for this city to be good for the people who live here first, then think of tourists. People cruising around everywhere on Segways will present a nuisance.
2) Lots of things are fun. Not all fun things should be legal everywhere.
3) People with certain disabilities can legally use mobility scooters on footpaths/bike paths. If Segways are more convenient for some people than mobility scooters I don’t see why they shouldn’t be allowed to use them, so long as they qualify. For everyone else, use your legs.
Bicycles?
john87_no1 said :
They do that?
johnboy said :
Well you can’t really beat $40 for a bike I guess! But even that could be subsidised on a % basis. If we are going to pay a carbon tax then there should be green energy subsidies for bikes, segways ect.
Doing Civic mainies on Friday nights could be fun on a Segway…..
I think that the Govt should talk about subsidising not only Segways but also bikes for every tax payer. There is no use spending money on bike path upkeep if they are not being used to their full potential.
You can already get a working bike for $40 at Tiny’s Green Shed. Frankly you’ll pay more for the hemet, lights, and lock.
While we’re at it why not also adopt a Paris-style bike hire.
http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/articles/2009/01/22/1232471476891.html
If electric scooters are acceptable to use on footpaths and roads for those WITHOUT disabilities, then Segways should be accessible to all without restrictions on their use.
Skidbladnir said :
Or “twatmobile” for brevity’s sake?
for those of you who think they’re super easy to use, safe and great for the kids
Henry82 said :
I understood this to be an NCA snafu; the ACT government came to the rescue with the exemption.
ehh quote fail.
thy_dungeonman said :
i voted ‘ban them all’ because i don’t think they should be letting through only one manufacturer. Either they should ban it all, or allow anyone to put the same powered motor on their bicycle etc – which i doubt they would do.
I took the family down for I ride on these things last year. It was an expensive half hour, but we had a blast and the kids absolutely loved it.
For some reason they thought I looked like a dork riding one while they didn’t. How could that be?
Why do 25 members (so far) want them banned completely?
Pork Hunt said :
skid steer loader
Pork Hunt said :
Bobcat species name is Lynx rufus.
I think that electric wheelchairs, bikes, skateboards, scooters, segways (and other self balancing transport machines) should all be legal with some sensible speed or power limit.
I just dont get these – whats wrong with your legs ya lazy bums.
Skidbladnir said :
What about bobcats? What’s their scientific name?
There’s someone at the ANU who I always see riding a segway around and they have been using since way before this whole lake tour thing got the government’s attention, I wonder if they knew it was illegal (common sense wouldn’t lead you to think it was) or just didn’t care.