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Segway Inventor Dean Kamen and Sustainable Transport Groups Clash

01 Aug 2003

Posted In: Planning & Advocacy for Cycling & Walking,

The inventor of the Segway, Dean Kamen, met with ITDP and Transportation Alternatives, a NY-based pedestrian and bicycle advocacy group, on July 3. TA first became concerned about Segway when the corporation began an aggressive lobbying drive to get the Segway allowed on all sidewalks. In most states, bills were introduced referring to the Segway as "electronic personal assistive mobility devices". Given Kamen's impressive history as an inventor of technology for the physically challenged, many people interpreted that phrase to mean electric wheelchairs and nothing more, which was misleading.

Mr. Kamen evidently believes that Segway belongs on the sidewalk and that they are not safe to operate in the street in mixed traffic.

Having made this decision, the Segway Corporation placed itself into direct conflict with pedestrians and sustainable transport advocacy groups who are trying to protect already scarce public pedestrian space. Furthermore, by marketing the Segway as ‘Pedestrian Plus,’ it is likely that it will attract mostly former pedestrians, not former motorists. Hence, the Segway is not likely to improve air quality or decrease congestion.

 

Photos: Picture the Segway (left) on a highly-used pedestrian sidewalk.

Looking for common ground, TA and ITDP suggested to Mr. Kamen cooperative promotion of traffic-calmed streets where Segway operators, bicyclists, pedestrians, and motor vehicles could mingle safely. Evidently feeling it is easier to fight pedestrians than the highway lobby, Segway stood firm in its belief that the device belongs on the sidewalks, next to children playing, shoppers and public transit commuters.