Posted on: Wednesday, June 18, 2003

Lingle signs bill allowing Segways on sidewalks

Advertiser Staff

A bill allowing "electric personal assistive mobility devices," or Segways, to move along Hawai'i sidewalks was among measures signed by Gov. Linda Lingle and released yesterday.

The law allows the two-wheeled, standup Segways to be operated on sidewalks and bike paths at a speed not exceeding 8 miles per hour. Riders need to be 16 or older.

Some skeptics say the newfangled vehicles, which are controlled by body movements, computers and gyroscopes, pose a danger to pedestrians and to the Segway riders themselves. But supporters of the bill say the Segways are compact and easy enough to maneuver to avoid accidents.

The Segway regulations are not expected to conflict with a bill approved by the City Council last week banning the operation of gas-powered motor scooters.