By Andy McCue, 20 May 2008 17:21
NEWS
Peers in the House of Lords have called on the government to lift the ban on the use of Segways on public roads and pavements in the UK.
The Segway devices are allowed in many US states but are currently banned on UK roads because of safety fears.
But peers in the House of Lords called on the government to review its Segway ban, arguing the devices are safe to use, environmentally friendly and could help police.
Lord Redesdale said: "I tried one of these machines 20 minutes agoÂ… It took me a few minutes to learn how to use it and I was very impressed with it. The vehicle's safety mechanism was particularly good and was demonstrated by the fact that I drove straight at the noble Earl, Lord Attlee (with his consent) and failed to do him any damage at all - unfortunately!"
The Earl of Glasgow added: "It is no more dangerous than bicycling, and a lot more fun, I can tell you. It is technically innovative, self-balancing, carbon-free and ideal for travelling distances of two to five miles - journeys that people usually now take by car."
But transport minister Lord Bassam of Brighton said there is still a question mark over the safety of the devices on public roads and that a German police force had discovered seven major, serious incidents involving the devices.
He said: "There is a serious safety issue, which I do not think one can take lightly. We must always be mindful of safety issues - this government have a good record on road safety - and there are serious concerns; no doubt other jurisdictions have made such discoveries."
Lord Bassam said that while there are currently no plans to lift the Segway ban it is under review and the government is looking at a number of trials elsewhere.
Comments
There are 14 comments. Join the discussion
1. Radical Meldrew
Let's issue every member of Lords with a Segway now. With a range of up to 5 miles they might forget the way back!
2. Mike Poole
If we banned every vehicle that had seven accidents I wonder if there would be many vehicles on our streets.
3. Steve
Motobikes are pretty dangerous and I bet there are more than 7 serious incidents involving them today. Will they still be allowed tomorrow?
4. Karen Challinor
carbon free ?
so it's constructed from wood from sustainable forests and has a perpetual motion device as a power source does it
just because the carbon emissions happen a long way away doesn't mean the it's carbon free
5. Michelle Burdis
Hello
The trials should not be taking part with people who are road worthy, rather with people that will be riding these things - People that are normally riding bicycles - Or Older people that might be doddery! I am full in favour of these machines being on the road - but please make the trials fair!
Can I have a go?!!
6. Dick Vinegar
Radical Meldrew should not rubbish the Lords. They often have more grasp of technology than the Commons, because most of them are not professional politicians, and some of them have current contact with the real world.
Look at their sustained rearguard action against ID cards, and their more recent demands for more e-crime policing.
7. George
"Its no more dangerous than a bicycle"
If bicycles are not allowed on pavements then why should these be?
Can you imagine trying to walk down a busy shopping street with hundreds of people flying at you on these at bicycle speeds?
I have no problem with them being used on roads just like bicycles, but we would see they would be as popular as a Sinclair C5, if not less.
8. GALLEY SLAVE#41
Whatever happened to legs?
Can these people not put one foot in front of the other?
9. AC
Steve is correct. Motorcycles are dangerous (but then so on the basis of accident stats, are bicycles.....) and will probably be banned in this nanny society. I, and many others, chose to ride motorcycles (and cycles) and try to do so responsibly- but that will cut no ice with the pc control freaks.
It is so typical of the govt to look for and quote the few negative stats. They don't want to read all the studies that might prove them wrong.
If you ban something, then you can prosecute someone for using it. More control. More fines. More anti-Segway police (sorry community enforcement officers), etc.
Oh dear, I forgot that this comment will be saved and used against me in future in this Green and Increasingly Unpleasant Land..
10. Graham Shepherd
The police in Schipol Airport use them. Could be a bit tricky if they have to arrest someone, though...
11. anonymous
I've actually seen a member of the Fife Constabulary "Segway'ing" around the Kingdom Centre (a Mall in Glenrothes). It was one of the rugged types (the Segway, not the policeman!) so it was presumably on trial (no pun intended). Strange given that cycles, roller skates/blades, skateboards etc. are not allowed in the shopping centre!
12. Jon Pennycook
The Government could legalise them, then tax them in accordance with the fuel and car taxes they would lose, then could cut the tax, and raise other tax to cover the tax cut.
13. Chris Goodman
I am not generally in favour of bans but to allow segways onto the public highway raises a number of questions. If they are to use the roadway then they need to have registration ID and be insured with MOT after a certain age. A competency driving test would be necessary for on road safety.
They would certainly need to be kept off footpaths and pedestrian area - unless fitted with a suitable speed limiter to allow maximum of 3 mph - cycles (illegally) using footpaths (and ignored by police) at present are a great danger and cause of many accidents, so segways on pedestrian areas is basically a NO NO.
14. Graham Moore
If bicycles were just invented, then they would also be banned as dangerous and unsafe. Look at the accident figures relating to cycling. The segway is a bicycle, all it needs is lights and a bell.