Letter to Seattle City Council Members
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Greetings from Segway Enthusiasts Group (SEG) America, the largest and only national grass-roots, independent organization representing more than 3,000 Segway Human Transporter (HT) enthusiasts and owners abroad, many of whom are located in Seattle, Washington. Our mission is to educate the public, the government, and fellow man on the inherent safety and sensibility of utilizing the Segway HT for a variety of purposes. We represent a diverse cross-section of individuals who have found the Segway HT to be a viable, logical, and safe means of short-to-mid-distance transportation and firmly believe that its use in society will benefit the masses ecologically and relieve many symptoms of our modern world and its rampant, often unnecessary use of automobiles.
We understand that the Seattle City CouncilÂ’s Transportation Committee will be holding a public hearing regarding Council Bill 114910, which will consider regulation of the use of Electric Personal Assistive Mobility Devices (EPAMD) such as the Segway Human Transporter. The bill as written would ban Segway HTÂ’s from public paths and from off-road use in city parks. We would like to offer some insight into this incredible new machine and why further regulation of the Segway HT would be a travesty of great magnitude.
Presumably, the Burke-Gilman Trail would be an area the Segway would not be permitted for use upon. We feel that given the relative size of the Burke-Gilman Trail and its function as a connector between major geographic points in Seattle that it is one of the most viable places for use of the Segway HT. We consider the bikes and roller skates currently allowed on the trail to be equal in functionality to the Segway HT and contend that if they remain legal to use on the trail, so should the Segway HT.
We also propose that banning the Segway HT from off-road use in city parks is an unnecessary consideration. It is our view that the Segway HT is the rough equivalent to a human on foot, only with wheels instead of feet. The Segway HT is, at best, narrowly classified as a vehicle. While the Segway HT contains components such as motors and gearboxes, we emphasize that it is not known to leave tracks, marks, divots, or cause any other unnecessary wearing of sod or ground in off-road areas.
We believe that the Segway HT is inherently safe, both in terms of its pedestrian-friendly ability to integrate into crowds of people without incident and also its built-in redundant and robust mechanical systems. The members of our organization have logged hundreds of thousands of hours in use on the Segway HT in both dense urban environments and in open territories and feel qualified to say that the Segway HT will not pose a threat to public safety on public paths and off-road in city parks. Thanks in part to the Segway HTÂ’s design, which occupies no more footprint space than a human being on foot does, the Segway HT integrates phenomenally well in close quarters and is infinitely more maneuverable than any other wheeled device. The Segway HT is unique, especially if you consider that it is capable of standing absolutely still if necessary, but will not exceed more than about four times walking speed. Thus, it is often best analogized when compared to a human on foot who has the ability to be still, yet also has the ability to run if required.
We feel strongly that dense urban environments are the most ideal place for the Segway. Considering the congestion of automobiles on our streets, factoring in the pollution levels rising to all-time highs, and also the ever-increasing cost of gasoline, the Segway fits into a very unique role. We have a saying, “For every Segway on the sidewalk, that’s one less car on the road,” which we feel defines the environmentally-conscious citizen. The Segway HT is operated on batteries, which are replenished at less than ten cents per charge. Several of our members have sold their automobiles altogether because the Segway HT was a more effective, efficient, and productive alternative to a car. We believe that the Segway HT will become the most viable alternative in metropolitan areas where concentrated population densities exist as citizens begin to reject the notion of short-distance travel by auto, which will thereby help relieve traffic congestion, pollution, and encourage a more productive and environmentally pro-active lifestyle.
The Segway HT is currently being utilized by many federal and state government officials across the nation in areas as diverse as law enforcement and patrol, mail and package delivery, and airport security. However, it is also well documented that the Segway HT is used widely as a mobility aid to those with limited physical abilities. This makes the Segway HT a fantastic alternative to crutches, canes, walkers, and wheelchairs for those who may have had no other choice before.
SEG America would encourage you to contact us if you would like additional information that would further assist your decision-making process. We would be happy to provide you with as much information as you require, including, but not limited to, email, phone, or written correspondence, and would also invite you to receive a demonstration ride given by some of our representatives in Seattle as needed. Clearly, the most definitive means to understand just how safe and sensible this entirely new concept in transportation alternative technology is to experience it first-hand.
We appreciate your time and consideration and urge you to reconsider the terms outlined in Council Bill 114910.
With Warmest Regards,
The Executive Board of Segway Enthusiasts Group (SEG) America
