============================================================ From: Martha Roskowski <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Date: 2002/04/09 Tue PM 07:41:07 EDT To: [EMAIL PROTECTED], [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: segway legislation S 2024
Hi folks, This Thursday, 4/11, the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee is schedule to vote on a bill which would allow Segways on sidewalks and paths built or maintained with federal funds. The bill's sponsor, Bob Smith (R-New Hampshire) has bypassed the normal hearing process to bring it directly to a vote by EPW on Thursday. If your Senator sits on EPW (listing below), I encourage you to call today and ask your Senator support postponing the vote until a full and fair hearing of the bill has been held. There are many questions about the bill's intent and consequences. The Segway itself and its interaction on paths and sidewalks that should be discussed before the Senate passes this bill. Segways can travel 12.5 mph, so imagine someone sprinting flat-out down a sidewalk and you have an idea of the speed. S 2024 would "amend title 23, United State Code, to authorize the use of electric personal assistive mobility devices on trails and pedestrian walkways constructed or maintained with Federal-aid highway funds." Which raises lots of questions, like, does this deal only with the Segway (they're the ones pushing the bill) or could it be interpreted to mean golf carts, etc? The bill authorizes the use "when State and local regulations permit," so it likely wouldn't automatically require that cities and counties allow their use, but the wording should be carefully analyzed. As you know, the Segway folks have been pouring significant dollars into lobbying to change state laws. This is a foray at the federal level. To my knowledge they have not done any outreach to bike and ped interests. Like many organizations, Bicycle Colorado does not have a position on Segways. But I believe it's only appropriate to insist that those with concerns about Segways on sidewalks and trails be provided with a forum for discussion before this bill is passed. If you share that concern, please make a call TODAY to your Senator. Members of Environment and Public Works: Jeffords, VT Chairman Democrats: Baucus, MT Reid, NV Graham, FL Lieberman, CT Boxer, CA Wyden, OR Carper, DE Clinton, NY Corzine, NJ Republicans: Smith, NH (ranking) Warner, VA Inhofe, OK Bond, MO Voinovich, OH Crapo, ID Chafee, RI Specter, PA Campbell, CO Just helping to spread the word... -m Martha Roskowski Bicycle Colorado PO Box 964, Boulder CO 80306-0964 303-417-1544 ph 303-247-1214 fax [EMAIL PROTECTED], http:\\bicyclecolo.org ----------------- The Thunderhead Alliance is a coalition of forty-five state, regional and local bicycle advocacy organizations representing over 80,000 cyclists. The Thunderhead Alliance seeks to strengthen, create and unite state, regional and local bicycle advocacy organizations. www.thunderheadalliance.org ==^================================================================ This email was sent to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] EASY UNSUBSCRIBE click here: http://topica.com/u/?b1dcQz.b1fhym Or send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] T O P I C A -- Register now to manage your mail! http://www.topica.com/partner/tag02/register ==^================================================================ ============================================================ ********************************** Sue McNamara Tancredi Philadelphia Coordinator Tri-State Transportation Campaign 327 South 43rd Street Philadelphia, PA 19104 215.243.2026 phone 215.243.2029 fax [EMAIL PROTECTED] ---- You are receiving this because you are subscribed to the Bicycle Coalition of the Delaware Valley list named "bike." To subscribe or unsubscribe or for archive information, see <http://www.purple.com/list.html>.
