It's police v VicRoads in battle over two wheels

It's police v VicRoads in battle over two wheels

January 11, 2006

VICTORIA Police plan to issue patrol officers with a hi-tech chariot
known as the Segway Human Transporter has been put on hold after
striking an unexpected hitch: it is illegal.

After announcing last year that they hoped to buy several of the
two-wheeled electric devices for city patrols, senior police were told
by VicRoads that it is illegal to ride Segways, which are designed for
footpaths, in public spaces in Victoria.

VicRoads considers the devices, which can be ridden on private
property, to be the legal equivalent of miniature "monkey bikes",
outlawed by the State Government last year.

The roads body is standing firm despite police attempts to have the
law changed. But police vowed last night that they would continue to
lobby.

At present, anyone riding a Segway in a public place could be fined
$115 for driving an unregistered vehicle.

Michael Mote, the Australian importer of the US-made machines, accused
VicRoads of "bureaucratic intransigence" and said the Segway was used
by more than 100 police and emergency services bodies worldwide,
including police in Chicago and Boston.

"In the United States, legislators have realised that the Segway is a
completely new product and in 43 of the 50 states they have enacted
positive legislation that allows for them to be … legally used," he
said.

"In Victoria it's more frustrating. They just say the rules prevent it
… when it comes to a genuinely new product they need to make
appropriate rules, not just sit on their hands."

A VicRoads spokesman said the top travelling speed of motorised
vehicles on footpaths in Victoria was 10 km/h and the maximum power
output 200 watts.

"Segways do not meet the necessary requirements to be registered in
Australia and cannot be used on the footpath," he said. The vehicles —
which cost between $7000 and $10,000 are also banned from registration
because they do not have brakes, lights and a horn or bell.

The Segway is a quiet, battery-powered craft that uses an internal
gyroscope to adjust its position according to the movement of the
rider. It has a top speed of 20 km/h but can be set for a lower
maximum speed.

Positioning of weight determines whether the vehicle goes backwards or
forwards. Manufacturers claim the self-balancing mechanism makes it
virtually impossible to fall off.

Police are believed to be keen to introduce the vehicles, thinking
that their elevation makes them ideal for patrolling crowded areas and
their mobility suits inner-city policing.

Since going on sale just over a year ago, 100 Segways have sold. The
distinctive craft have been used for promotions — such as by cosmetics
firm Garnier at last year's Australian Open tennis — and by a security
firm that patrols a Knox shopping mall. Both are legal because they
are not considered public spaces.

When Mr Mote took his test vehicles into Vicroads for a demonstration
last year, staff were so worried about the illegality of the vehicles
that they cancelled a demonstration in the car park and transferred it
to "private property" — a theatrette inside the building.

 

Can we place bets on who wins?