Posted on 04/18/2002 11:39:13 AM PDT by Temple Owl
Scooter gets closer to OK for public use Senate committee tests personal devices, opens hearings on legalization
LANSING -- The day when Michigan residents will be able to ride their personal scooters down the sidewalk moved a little closer this week. A Senate committee tested and opened hearings on legalizing the space-age transporter, also known as the "electric personal assistive mobility device."
"It felt very comfortable," said Sen. Bill Bullard, R-Highland, after taking the device for a spin behind the state Capitol. "And I'm not the most coordinated person in the world."
Bullard, sponsor of the bill to legalize the device, said his Transportation and Tourism Committee probably will approve it in a week or two. The device, which looks a little like a pogo stick on wheels, allows a rider to glide along at up to 15 mph by just leaning forward or back or using a handlebar to turn left or right.
"We clearly are not a scooter," said Matthew Dailida, manager for state government affairs for Segway, the New Hampshire company which manufactures the device.
He and another company official put the Segway HT, for Human Transporter, through its paces near the Capitol, harmlessly running into onlookers to demonstrate it poses little threat of danger.
The device uses two batteries, which can be recharged on household current, Dailida said, along with gyroscopes, sensors and a computer to keep the platform level no matter where the device is aimed.
He said 17 states now allow the device for commercial use by postal and police officials. Later this year, he said, it will be available to the general public at a cost of about $3,000.
Bullard said his committee is likely to approve a bill permitting the device for operators 15 years old or older as long as only one person rides and they wear a crash helmet. A local government could regulate, but not ban, the devices under a bill to be studied by the committee.
We are clearly one person.
Nope, still sounds stupid!
This does not belong on the sidewalk. Are all these politicians taking bribes? They should all get hit by one before they vote to allow it.
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