Campaign to
Legalise Segways in the UK

Have you noticed how the roads in our towns and city centres are getting more and more congested? It's true. More and more cars are being used to make an increasing number of journeys on the relatively fixed number of roads! The result: jams, fumes, noise and road rage. Did I mention that petrol and diesel prices are at their highest - and that they're only going to get higher?

Unless something changes, the problem is only going to get worse.

Enter the Segway Personal Transporter (PT); an invention to help change the way we think about our transportation options. In the past we had the car, the bicycle, public transport and walking. These options still exist but we now have another. Check out www.segway.com for more details.

The Segway PT can carry an individual up to 24 miles in a safe and efficient manner. They operate within our existing infrastructure

because they function anywhere a person can safely walk - they blend in. You can now move further and more quickly than walking. The barriers that made you choose your car instead of a stroll are no longer an issue. You can glide to your destination smoothly and safely amongst pedestrians and within built-up areas - reaching and passing thru places you simply couldn’t on a bicycle. You won’t miss a thing as you pass queuing lanes of stationary or slow-moving traffic. With no parking to worry about and not a bead of sweat in sight, you’ll arrive refreshed, alert and most likely smiling because you actually enjoyed the trip. You will be ready for action – no shower or change of clothing required!

In countries all over the world this is a reality - people have this option every single day. However, in the UK, we are unable to legally enjoy this particular mode of transportation. We have to drive, walk, cycle or use public transport. Unfortunately, most people choose to drive. Rush hour traffic anyone?

The Highway Act of 1835 renders the Segway PT illegal in the UK on pavements. They cannot be used where bicycles can (even electric bicycles) because they do not have pedals - and they cannot be used on the road as a motor vehicle because they do not meet any kind of permitted type approval in the UK. The only place they CAN be used is on private property (and only with the land owner's permission).

See the video interview recorded by www.warrington.tv or listen to the BBC Radio Wales interview for further information.

Desired outcome

Modern legislation is required to legalise the use of the Segway PT in public areas, e.g., cycle paths and roadways, in the UK.

Who do we need to influence?

The decision makers in the UK Government and the Department for Transport.

How long will we campaign?

Until Segways become legalised!

How to take part

Read about the public consultation (separate page)
Sign the electronic petition (below)
Read the comments left by other people (updated regularly)
Print and sign a paper petition form (separate page)
Contact your MP or MEP
Don't believe the myths (separate page)
Existing Segway owners should glide sensibly following The Segway Code (separate page)
Pass this information on (separate page)
Download & print promotional material (separate page)
Link to this website (separate page)
Embed the petition into your website (separate page)
Make a contribution/donation (separate page)

A petition

Please sign and ask all of your family, friends and colleagues to sign the electronic petition. Alternatively, you can use a paper petition form.

Click here to see how many signatures have been collected so far (updated live).

A copy of the petition will be sent to the Prime Minister's Office. The date for this will be confirmed soon. An additional copy will go to the "Transport Technology and Standards" department at the Department for Transport. Any official responses will be posted here. Watch this space!

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Contact your MP or MEP

Via the The United Kingdom Parliament website (www.parliament.uk), you can easily e-mail or write to any Member of Parliament or Member of European Parliament.

To save you a few clicks, use the following form to easily identify your local MP:

Please write to let them know that you think Segway PTs should be legalised in the UK, and that you would like their support.

If you do write, please personalise your message and express your own personal beliefs. Consider using the excellent third party website: www.writetothem.com. They will help with identifying the appropriate people and tracking success.

See the letters page for examples of letters sent and responses received.

Further information

Links to all UK Segway related websites:

UK Segway links, news, companies

Please contact:

Gareth Brandwood
Gareth@LegaliseSegways.co.uk
Mobile: +44 (0)7711591085

Credits

This site has been produced by Gareth Brandwood with a lot of support from the members @ Segway Chat. Thank you to everyone who has helped to make this happen.

Campaign to Legalise Segways in the UK