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MPs want to let two-wheelers take to the road
David Williams, Motoring Editor22 Apr 2008
George Bush famously fell off the first time he tried one.
Now the futuristic Segway personal transporter could be heading for a road near you.
Senior MPs are demanding that the two-wheeled machines be allowed on London's cycle lanes.
The zero-emission Segway, built in the US where it is used by celebrities including Jennifer Aniston and Jim Carrey, is banned from British roads under what the makers call "archaic" highway regulations.
They want Britain to fall into line with most European countries and more than 40 US states where the near-silent machines are classed as a motor vehicle and allowed to mingle with traffic.
More than 250,000 Segways have been sold worldwide but the 2,000 British buyers - who typically paid £4,300 - can use them only on private land.
Today Norman Baker - Lib-Dem transport spokesman - and his Tory counterpart Robert Goodwill, called on the Government to launch trials to establish the roadworthiness of the machines that have a top speed of just under 13mph.
They were backed by Labour MP Steve Pound, treasurer of Parliament's all-party motorcycling and intelligent energy groups.
The MPs claim the Government is blocking an "environment-friendly, safe and reliable" form of transport that could help solve the capital's congestion crisis.
Mr Goodwill told the Standard: "If we could get people out of cars and onto a Segway there could be a real environmental gain. There is a strong case for trials to look into this.
"Segways are being used around the world but the UK is holding out against legislation that would let us do so too."
Norman Baker, who tested one in the corridors of Portcullis House, said: "They are easy to ride once you get the hang of it and it only takes a minute or so. Because the Segway does not fit into a convenient category does not mean we should not look at it as a potential answer to mobility, especially in London."
Makers of the Segway say the machine is over four times more efficient than the hybrid-energy Toyota Prius. It is emission-free in operation. A six to eight-hour charge via a household plug gives it a range of 24 miles.
It is controlled and steered by the driver leaning and pressing with their feet, while on-board gyroscopes maintain the machine's balance.
Segway fans, including Jay Kay of Jamiroquai, say it is ideal for journeys that are too far to walk but too short to use a car. The makers say it would be "ideal" for cycle lanes.
The demand for road trials is backed by the Police Federation. Sutton police trialled a fleet as "squad" cars and said reaction from the public was "superb". But they were ordered off the machines by the Department for Transport.
The MPs will formally launch their demand for road trials tomorrow.
Reader views (3)
There are already two wheeled vehicles allowed on the roads - they are called bicycles - far more efficient, more healthy and faster than a segway. The segway appears little more than a novelty gadget.
- Tom, Watford UK, 22/04/2008 13:33
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Are they mad!? What about the poor cyclists who have to swerve out of the cycle lane into the main traffic flow to overtake an idiot on an overgrown toy. Would you expect roller skaters or people on those little scooter things to be in the road? Surely this cotton reel with a stick attached is no more a roadworthy vehicle than these others?
- Jane, London, 22/04/2008 13:24
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Great, as if cyclists weren't bad enough, now I'll have another bunch of prats wobbling into my way when I'm trying to drive home.
- The Gene Genie, Croydon, 22/04/2008 12:44
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