New York State: Rejoice!
It’s official.
On Wednesday, July 23, Governor Paterson signed the bill into law allowing the safe and proper use of Segway PTs on the public ways of the State of New York. The legislation, which closely mirrors laws that currently exist in forty-two other states, defines the Segway PT as an Electric Personal Assistive Mobility Device (EPAMD) and allows use on low speed roadways, bike lanes and similar areas. Most importantly the legislation allows New York communities and counties to further regulate the Segway PT if they deem necessary.
What you should know about Segway PT use regulation in the US:
- - The Segway PT complies with all Federal product standards and applicable safety standards requirements
- - Segway PTs may be used in all 50 states on private property with the permission of the property owner
- - 43 states and the District of Columbia have enacted legislation to allow use of Segway PTs on sidewalks, bike paths, and certain roads (for a full list visit our regulatory page here)
- - In most cases, state legislation gives local authorities the option of enacting additional laws about Segway PT use. New York City is included in this category and the Segway PT is not allowed sidewalks, bike paths, or public roads in the city
- - As always, Segway recommends that potential purchasers and users check with local government to identify and comply with regulations in their town or city
This is wonderful news for current and future Segway PT owners and gliders in the state of New York. New Yorkers have been very progressive about alternate forms of transportation and active participants in the green movement, so having an additional option to use a Segway PT, as gas prices soar to well over $4.00 a gallon and energy conservation is top-of-mind, offers an excellent option at an ideal time. A Segway PT creates 14 times less greenhouse gas (a 93 percent reduction) and is 4.5 times more energy efficient than a hybrid car, and with a $0.10 battery charge, the Segway PT can travel up to 24 miles on a single charge – that’s the energy equivalent of 450 mpg!
Want to learn more about Segway’s commitment to be the leader in green transportation? Visit our Keep it Green page.
Are you already a glider in New York? Make sure you connect with other Segway PT owners in your area! Visit Segway Social to join our social network of gliders.
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5 Responses to “New York State: Rejoice!”
It’s a first step in NY. Owners please study your local municipal codes
regarding further hidden restrictions to gliding. The nationwide misconceived attempt to legalize Segways specifically
for sidewalks, often has had restrictive consequences that make gliding less versatile than even bicycling. I am working to undo that negative consequence in my own town (Los Alamos NM) and it may take a year of working with city council, boards, and the police department
accomplish legal gliding. Right now, PTs are illegal to ride on anything here.
This is horrible progress. Can’t even use Bike Paths? Have to use crosswalks to make left turns? Where in Hades CAN you ride a Segway in NY with over a million people? Answer: No Where. NY’ers are clearly mentally retarded & paranoid having something new in town. I didn’t think the Oil Infection ran that deeply into their State politics…
Too bad.
Jane SixPack
Congratulations Segway! Good things come to those who don’t give up!
First, I agree with Jane SixPack.
As a Segway owner in NYC, I would LOVE to glide to work in 5 minutes instead of jumping into a cab and sitting in traffic for dear life.
This law re. the State of NY is confusing to me. So New Yorl City is part of the ’state,’ correct? If so, can I ride my Segway “on low speed roadways, bike lanes and similar areas” or can’t I?
I’ve heard it said that we cannot because of the dense population, but unless I’ve missed it here, I don’t see it. Also, I live along the Hudson River, and there is NO reason not to be able to ride a Segway on that bike trail — esp. when it’s not crowded. It’s miles of smooth road, perfect for gliding. My neighbor taught me to ride one there.
Also, I take my kick scooter home after work, and it’s difficult to go slow on sidewalks without almost falling over onto people, I can’t ride it in the street because NYC streets are too rough for kick scooters. A Segway, which would allow me to safely travel at the same speed as pedestrians, would be perfect.
Like Jane SixPack said, “NY’ers are clearly mentally retarded & paranoid having something new in town.” Amen!
It takes a lot of nerve to assert 20 million people are “retarded and paranoid.” And its foolish to suggest we have a distaste for new things. Quite the contrary, NY’ers are ravenous for new things, and opening the gates for segways without careful urban planning would be a disaster. I don’t know where janesixpack is from, but I can assume given her handle. Around here, the streets are horribly congested, and as an avid cyclist, I have to fight for space. There isn’t an open patch of sidewalk to walk on in midtown. Imagine throwing a few hundred segways into the mix of traffic.
The real problem here isn’t the city but the state. We are at the mercy of an inept conservative state government when it comes to traffic management policies. If they would allow congestion taxing, we could alleviate the chokehold vehicles have on the city. Bear in mind most vehicles in the city belong to suburban commuters and not city residents. If we could get federal funding for mass transit, we could rely less on taxis. However, the current city administration is excellent in terms of bicycle advocacy and installing bicycle lanes and infrastructure. Unfortunately motorists use the bicycle lanes as loading zones and the police could care less. Once we can open the streets a bit, perhaps we can allow segways on the streets.
So before you throw out an offensive generalization you should try to visit and become a bit familiar with the situation.
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