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Segway Upcoming Bill
 

Outlaws on 2 (Battery-Powered) Wheels Top of Form

Published: August 11, 2008

It was lunchtime in Midtown Manhattan last Tuesday, and streaming along 41st Street was the usual cavalcade of cars, pedestrians, bicyclists, even a skateboarder. Amid the crowd was a more unusual sight: three people gliding along on Segways, the two-wheeled, battery-powered human transporters.

Leading the trio was Itsi Atkins, who may be the city’s only provider of Segway tours and lessons. His customers were Lauren Greenbaum, 20, a senior at Queens College, who was fulfilling a birthday gift to her boyfriend, Josh Stein, 22, an intern at a Manhattan marketing firm.

Hiroko Masuike for The New York Times

Itsi Atkins, who provides Segway tours and lessons in Manhattan, towed a malfunctioning transporter as his patrons Lauren Greenbaum and Josh Stein followed near Times Square last week.

“I was in Europe for a semester, and every country I went to had a Segway tour,” Mr. Stein said, adjusting the Happy Birthday balloon on his handlebars. “They were crowded around the Eiffel Tower, the Leaning Tower of Pisa.”

But in New York City, this birthday party on wheels was against the law. Five years after the first Segways arrived in New York City and were greeted with curiosity and bemusement, their use remains illegal — even after Gov. David A. Paterson signed a law in July legalizing Segways everywhere else in the state.

Officials in New York City, where many streets are already clogged with taxis, tourists, dogs and double-wide strollers, deliberately asked lawmakers to leave the city out of the bill.

“But we are always open to new ideas and new evidence,” Ted Timbers, a Department of Transportation spokesman, wrote in an e-mailed response to questions. “And the city will monitor and learn from the experiences of other cities and states that permit registration and use of Segways.”

The state law treats the Segway much like a bicycle, allowing riders on public bike paths, bike lanes, and roadways with speed limits below 30 miles per hour. Operators must be at least 16 years old and must wear helmets. Permitting Segways on sidewalks is a decision the law leaves to local governments.

“I think it’ll be the thing of the future for some people,” said Assemblyman Joseph R. Lentol, a Democrat from Brooklyn who was one of the sponsors of the bill. “It gives us another alternative transportation source.”

Segways are not completely illegal in New York City. The Police Department started using them last year to patrol the city’s parks and boardwalks.

But beyond that, Mr. Atkins believed the number of people with Segways in New York to be quite small, about 30 or so by his count.

“When the first bike was introduced in the 1880s, it received the same welcome we received,” said Mr. Atkins, who describes his business and passion for the vehicles on a Web site, segwaynyc.com. “Hopefully it won’t take 100 years for us to become part of the infrastructure.”

Mr. Atkins owns six Segways and charges $100 per person for a two-hour lesson. The city considers Segways motor vehicles and consequently, riding one carries the risk of being ticketed for operating an unregistered and uninsured vehicle. But since he bought his first Segway in 2003, Mr. Atkins said, police officers have stopped him only to ask for a ride. He shrugged off the new law.

“Legal is a state of mind,” Mr. Atkins said. “Green is a state of being.”

Segway Inc., based in Bedford, N.H., promotes its product as an environmentally friendly alternative to driving. But the combination of the Segway’s weight (up to 130 pounds) and speed (12.5 m.p.h. is the maximum) makes advocates for pedestrians and bicycles resistant to sharing the road.

“To introduce a foreign, unproven, untested element into the mix complicates the job before us, which is to make the most efficient use of city streets,” said Noah Budnick, deputy director of Transportation Alternatives, a New York advocacy group.

After battling the state for seven years, the Segway company is in no rush to direct its lobbying efforts toward the city.

“We haven’t formulated a strategy; we haven’t reached out to city officials,” said Matt Dailida, Segway’s director of governmental affairs. “I expect the city process to be just as long as it was up in Albany.”

New York Motorcycles, a shop in Queens Village that carries Segways, says it sells about 200 of them a year, mostly to police departments and private security companies, but hopes sales will increase because of the new law.

“In the past, when an individual would call, they’d get shot down when we told them they weren’t legal,” said Joel Metter, the shop’s general manager. “For people who have a hard time walking, or need to cover some ground, it’s a freedom machine.”

Mr. Stein had been looking forward to his turn on a Segway for months.

“It feels like swimming for the first time,” he said.

“I would love to get one,” Ms. Greenbaum said. But she said the $5,300 price tag was even more of an obstacle than the law.

Their tour through New York City started at the United Nations, headed west to Times Square and then north and east to the Queensboro Bridge. People stared and laughed, the couple said, and the few police officers they passed “didn’t seem to mind.”

“People move out of the way for us,” Mr. Stein said.

“Which is nice,” Ms. Greenbaum said. “I’ve never had that happen in New York before.”

More Articles in New York Region » A version of this article appeared in print on August 12, 2008, on page B6 of the New York edition.

 
Comments from Segway users
 
Location: BlogsNew York City Segway 101    
Posted by: Itsi Atkins 7/26/2008 2:51 AM
First of all thank you for your amazing site. Your blogging is thorough and succinct. I'm cannot tell you how disheartened I am by the Governors ruling against Segways - especially since he is disabled! Could this have anything to do with the fear of potential lost revenue in the subway/bus system by the throngs of people adopting Segways instead of mass trasit? Is it about fear of rubbernecking drivers who are going to fenderdent another? What possible justification is there for this? I really don't get it! Our politicians are promoting electric cars, our newscasters are telling us about "new energy solutions", we even have a green network, but it doesn't matter. My opinion --- we are not ready as a society to accept and adapt --- we hate change. We are afraid. Afraid that we might fall over, we might look stupid, we would lose control, we would get hurt, we might love it but then can't afford it, we might get in trouble with the cops, it would get stolen, it might malfunction. . . we are even afraid of progress. New York was once the most progressive city in the world, lately the wheels of evolution have gotten clogged. The Segway, a non-polluting vehicle that does not contribute to our dependency on oil or to greenhouse gases is an American invention that defies the descriptions and laws created for all past modes of transportation. Despite its efficiency lawmakers have shoved it into a too small box. In New York, new bike lanes have been created, but Segway riders are not allowed? America was once the land of the free and home of the brave. Segway drivers add to the fabulous Quilt of Humanity that is New York. Isn't that partially why we all came here, to be amongst progress? If so, why the resistance? Why then do we allow the fear of the future to hinder us from seeing the good that is here right now? While the Segway may not be for everyone, those who do not applaud this amazing new technology as a possible solution to a crippling problem are either small-minded and ignorant or fear-mongering Luddites. It's been six years since the introduction of "Ginger" and five years since President Bush failed to heed directions and "fell off". It is time we get people to take another look? I am ready to join forces. If you are up for it, together we might be able to do something to fight this ruling --- after all, Bloomberg likes Segways. I am committing myself and my resources to this cause. I have access to four Segways and I have Segway dancers. Let's figure out a way to get some press that gets our cause to be heard. I have the moves and you have the ideas. Let's figure out a plan and get others to be involved. Christopher Harrison, President AntiGravity Inc.
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Comments (4)   Add Comment
Re: What others are saying about NYC    By itsiatkins on 7/27/2008 12:25 AM
Congratulations, Matt, on the first EPAMD law (S07509A) that equates Segways with motor vehicles without granting them motor vehicle rights, does not make them legal on sidewalks, requires helmets on all gliders ($50 fine) and declares them totally illegal in the largest city in the nation. "THE OPERATION OF ELECTRIC PERSONAL ASSISTIVE MOBILITY DEVICES IN A CITY HAVING A POPULATION OF ONE MILLION OR MORE IS PROHIBITED."

Some people will say that at least this is a start. But ask yourself this: Are the Segway owners of New York State any better off today than they were yesterday? Certainly the Segway owners of New York City are not.

Members of TA are probably dancing in the street tonight.
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Re: Comments from Segway user i    By itsiatkins on 7/27/2008 12:38 AM
I think that Matt has to focus on state law rather than local. Granted that NYC has a population that exceeds several states, but still his focus needs to remain on a national level. It's now in the hands of the gliding voters in the Empire State to curb their own 'evil empire'. I don't know about NYC, but I do know that if someone came down here to Virginia from New Hampshire (or any other state - nothing personal implied in that) and tried to tell our county or town what to do, they wouldn't get very far. I had a heck of a time getting our politicos to admit that Segways could be on the sidewalks, and I LIVE HERE! And Matt was a GREAT help with that, adding both moral support and good suggestions/ideas. Spend two minutes talking with him and you realize what a real pro he is. It's largely because of him and his advice that I was able to get things settled here. Reading the new NY EPAMD law, and all the stuff that was included in it, you can see what he had to deal with. I get the mental image of every legislator in Albany wanting to add their own paragraph to it in order to satisfy their own egos. I think that he had his hands full, and that he was lucky to get what he did from them!
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Re: Comments from Segway user in NYC    By itsiatkins on 7/27/2008 12:30 AM
I've read over that several times too, and I'm not sure about it because there seems to be a pair of similar but different phrases with seperate definitions: "(a) electrically-driven mobility assistance devices operated or driven by a person with a disability" and then it is immediately followed by "(A-1) ELECTRIC PERSONAL ASSISTIVE MOBILITY DEVICES". And the whole purpose of S 125 seems to be to define what is and is not a "motor vehicle". I wish that they had just added a specific line about people with disabilities using EPAMDs being exempt from the sidewalk law. That would have been a heck of a lot clearer. By adding sub (A-1), they make it look to my layman's eyes as not being included under the 'protection' of S 125 (a). But maybe they didn't want it clear so that it gets challenged in Federal Court, and then they can point their fingers at DC rather than accept responsibility in Albany. Who knows...
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Re: Comments from Segway user    By itsiatkins on 7/27/2008 12:32 AM
This is typical of JohnM's "remote" position regarding matters Segway: not a Segway owner himself and merely comments about things "over there."

From my point of view as a Segway owner and a resident of Florida, a state with much saner and more reasonable, more "hands off" EPAMD legislation, it is yet incumbent upon us OWNERS to take the "proaction" ourselves.

Though favorable legislation does indeed help in getting Segways accepted for general use in public areas, it's only a gesture if it doesn't somehow trickle on down to local levels. I've experienced that myself in my area.

Again, in Pinellas County, I just happened to meet the county executive over its parks who just happened, himself, to be pro-Segway, and therefore, on his own initiative, coupled with the Florida statutes, granted specific permission for Segway use in county parks.

And in another matter which I, myself, was involved in and in which I myself took some proacive action, I communicated with a district commander of our town's police department to politely inquire over Segway use in one Pinellas county park in particular for which the police had jurisdiction, it being adjacent to city limits and it being a beach park with high attendance and requiring special monitoring by the police.

General Segway acceptance is going to be driven ultimately by Segway users and their interaction with their respective governmental bodies. We are, after all a democracy, and as such, WE are responsible for the quality of it. IT'S UP TO US, yes, INDIVIDUALLY (despite how "scary" or despite "how difficult" that may be) to make our voices heard and to be persistent in getting our respective officials EDUCATED as to the special qualities of Segway use, so that they can recoginize it for what it is, as different from every other mode of transportation, and, because of that, grant it special permission for uses in places and manners not granted to other different modes.

For example, and as a hedge against possible future restriction against Segway use in my community, once more of them come into use as more people move into new condo residences downtown, I plan on making occasional pro-Segway presentations to our city council.

So I think SegSailor is spot on in his assessment of the matter. As difficult as it may be to get Segway use in New York LESS restricted and even permitted, perhaps with some REASONABLE restrictions, in NYC, it's going to take some action on local levels.

Though that could indeed be a tall order for NYC. As "ballsy" as Jonathan has been, he's, after all, "only" a Brooklynite. So all you NYC underground Segway users better strap on the ol' brass cojones and take some action!

Quote:
Originally Posted by JohnM
Will Segway Inc now take an proactive roll in acquiring the green light for sidewalk use in NY's counties and towns? Or does Matt declare 'Mission Accomplished" and move on to ..... Massachusetts?
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emichel@email.com   0   12/22/2008 8:25:04 PM

hey dork! you coming to DC for x-mas? You bringin your kid too?

eamyers@cox.net   0   12/10/2008 2:38:52 PM

The collections I'm being charged for and paying for are not valid. Please contact as to how to correct this matter Please refund all money (s) witheld by Treasury to offset this false charge. primary# cell=(619)3162854 and my home phone#= (619)795-1643. I honestly did not create this debt, and I certainly have not been in Virginia in at lease (5) years. I do not make much money and live on a fixed income from my VA Disability check so when my ckeck is garnished, I'm left holding the bag with the bills that I need to pay to live. This is a sincere effort to cooperate with you to restore my money/credit and record with the Department Of The Navy. I would please like a statement of what as to what "purchases" I'm being garnished for. Best Regards, Elizabeth A. Myers

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barrfidelia_alves457@hotmail.com   0   11/25/2008 6:50:00 AM
Notification of Bequest
Solicitor,Advocate and Notary Public Office:10 snow hill,London EC1A,2A1,ENGLAND 96 DX LONDON-Uk Last and Final Notification of Bequest On behalf of the Trustees and Executor of the estate of Late Engr.Henry Richards,I once again try to notify you as my earlier letter to you through the Post Office was returned undelivered,therefore I now attempt to reach you via your email address as it appears to be the next and the only option left unexplored.Engr.Henry Richards(late),made you a beneficiary in his will,he left Three Million One Hundred United States Dollars (US$3.100.000.00) to you in the codicil and last testament to his will.My client,Late Engr.Henry Richards was a pioneer member of STRABAG CONSTRUCTION CO.LTD,a dedicated Christian and Philanthropist.He died on the 9th day of February 2005 at the age of 82 and his Will is now ready for execution,and he did wish that part of the funds be used in assisting churches,orphans and the widows.Please If I reach you as I am hopeful I will,

GravelineFamily@aol.com   0   11/24/2008 1:03:12 PM
NYC Segway
Hi Itsi, We are past customers of yours, and have now actually bought a Segway ourselves to use at home in Iowa! We wondered if you might be able to help us with a question: Do you have any advice about keeping and using the Segways in cold weather? Thanks for any advice you may have! Best-- Joy Graveline

psenn@hotmail.fr   0   11/6/2008 1:38:55 PM
NYC Segway (in france)
bonjour from Paris France, I found this picture about you http://bp0.blogger.com/_zXKihqziM0E/SDs5ePf_DnI/AAAAAAAAAps/dQNDfGdXNoE/s1600-h/IMG_9960.jpg philippe www.segway-in-paris.com/

eric@e-rok.com   0   11/2/2008 2:25:15 PM
Hi Itsi Atkins. I am a comic, not a spammer
Hi!. Mr. Atkins. How are you?! I am a local NYC comedian and I am filming a comedy sketch that requires a segway. i would love to find out if I could rent one from you, or you could direct me to a place where I could rent one. Thanks so so much. Take care.

yavin@partnersadvisers.com   0   11/1/2008 2:35:05 PM
NYC Segway
Dear Mr Atkins, I am looking to rent Segway tomorrow for three people. If you are free to provide lessons could you please call +1 (646) 649 2350 or email Yavin@partnersadvisers.com. Best rgs Sella

mdaniell@mapeasy.com   0   10/28/2008 6:16:27 AM

I am interested in getting Accounts Payable information. I am the A/R Manager for MapEasy Inc. and wanted to get your contact information to set up billing.

eric@e-rok.com   0   10/27/2008 2:36:53 PM
NYC Segway
Does anyone have any idea where I can rent segways in NYC? Thanks

 
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