Segway Supports Legislation Enabling Transportation Choice; Californians Will Benefit From Cleaner Air, Fewer Car Trips 8/14/2002
From: Tobe Cohen of Segway LLC, 603-222-6200; E-mail: media@segway.com Cheryl Byrne, 877-835-8362, ext. 2002, for Segway LLC MANCHESTER, N.H., Aug. 14 -- California is currently considering legislation that will allow the Segway HT to be used on California sidewalks. Like the 31 other states which have passed Segway-use and safety related legislation, this bill makes sense for the people and State of California and provides local governments control over local use, Segway LLC said today. The Segway HT is safe, good for the environment and good for the economy, Segway said. Thousands of hours of company testing and real world use by such safety professionals as police, emergency medical services crews (EMS) and park rangers have demonstrated the Segway HT as a safe and useful tool in numerous locations throughout the U.S. The Segway HT is currently being piloted by such other organizations committed to safety as the U.S. Postal Service and The Disney Corporation. Such prominent Californians as State Treasurer Phil Angelides, The California Highway Patrol, The California Chiefs of Police, The California Peace Officers Association, The Planning and Conservation League and other local officials have voiced their strong support for the Segway HT and its safety and environmentally friendly features. The company, along with these officials and other Segway supporters, has been working closely with citizen groups to address questions and support improvements to the pending California legislation. California's environmental and urban congestion problems stand to benefit significantly from this product. When the Segway HT becomes available, this legislation should enable Californians the choice of a safer and cleaner alternative to a car. The Segway HT is safe. The Segway is designed to be safe. It is safe for the pedestrian environment because it is designed to be like a pedestrian. Its battery-operated microprocessors, gyroscopes and redundant critical systems insure its safety, the driver's safety and the safety of those around the Segway. This enables the Segway to behave like a person: -- Constant balance is maintained at any or no speed at all -- Tires run at low pressure to absorb shock, making any unintentional contact less than the impact of someone stepping on your foot -- Since the Segway operates through the forward motion of the driver, it cannot go faster than other sidewalk traffic -- When the Segway makes contact, its motors reverse direction. To stop, the Segway HT relies on simple natural reactions rather than complex mental and physical processes. The Segway HT has received the Gold medal in the transportation category of the Industrial Design Society of America. In addition, Segway played a key role in ensuring the safety of hundreds of thousands at April's Boston Marathon and the Fourth of July celebration on Boston's Charles River Esplanade, providing medical support, security and administrative transportation. Those on Segway HT's were able to see above and navigate dense crowds with ease to get necessary medical attention and other services where it was needed. The Segway is good for the environment. The Segway HT is designed as an alternative to a car-not an alternative to exercise. The Segway HT operates on a rechargeable battery, resulting in quiet operation and in zero emissions. The Segway is designed for short distance transportation. American drivers make 900 million car trips a day, and the United States Environmental Protection Agency estimates half of those are less than 5 miles with only one passenger. These short trips by car are responsible for forty percent of auto emissions. And replacing some car trips with Segways can reduce American dependence on foreign oil. The Segway is good for the economy. Using the Segway for commuting can result in improved productivity. It is estimated that Americans spend 36 hours a year stuck in traffic-Californians possibly more-costing roughly $1.1 billion. In addition, by reducing pollution, the Segway can result in fewer days lost due to pollution related illnesses. The Segway can reduce health care costs. Pollution related respiratory illnesses result in health care costs of $56 billion. Reducing the number of miles driven by even 10 percent can reduce vehicle emissions by 20 to 40 percent. WHAT CALIFORNIANS ARE SAYING ABOUT THE SEGWAY: "As the State grows by over half a million people a year, traffic congestion will continue to be the biggest challenge in transportation. Every innovative idea to improve mobility should be explored. We look forward to seeing how Segway might help us meet the challenge." -- Sunne McPeak, President & CEO, Bay Area Council "The first consumer-based Segway research pilot project--a partnership of Segway, the California Department of Transportation, UC's Partners for Advanced Transit and Highways, and the Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) District--was recently funded. Dr. Susan Shaheen, a UC PATH research scientist and the project director, says: "This study will test the hypothesis that the Segway can increase personal mobility for short-distance trips and serve as a transit feeder service (adding transit riders). It will also address questions about Segway use in the overall transportation system (including safety and institutional issues), behavioral/environmental impacts and, and the viability of a Segway mobility service (short-term rentals) at key transit and activity centers." -- Dr. Susan Shaheen, UC PATH research scientist "New inventions naturally evoke questions and concerns. I'm convinced as the public becomes familiar with this invention and its possibilities, that it will be embraced by the public as a positive opportunity." -- Senator Tom Torlakson, State Senator, 7th District "This legislation would help clear the roadblock for companies seeking solutions through innovative technologies to the state's growing problem of moving people from home to work, to school or to public transportation hubs using means other than automobiles and without violating the environment. California's air quality and economy depend upon the continuing development of advanced technologies to help move people from one place to another without over taxing the infrastructure or destroying the environment." -- Mark DeSaulnier, Supervisor, District IV, Contra Costa County "In light of California's desire to support alternative pollution-free and congestion reducing modes of transportation, the Department feels it is reasonable to include within the definition of a pedestrian, the Electronic Personal Assistive Mobility Device (EPAMD). It is our belief, after reviewing the information that has been provided, that sidewalks are the most appropriate place for these devices to be allowed to traverse." -- Adam Cuevas, Assistant Chief, Office of Special Representative, California Highway Patrol Media contact information for: Phil Angelides, Treasurer State of California (916) 653-2795 Adam Cuevas, Assistant Chief Office of Special Representative California Highway Patrol (916) 657-7249 Mark DeSaulnier, Supervisor District IV Contra Costa County (925) 646-5763 Sunne McPeak, President & CEO Bay Area Council (415) 981-6600, xt. 309 Dr. Susan Shaheen UC PATH research scientist (510) 847-1459 About Segway Segway LLC is a Manchester, NH, based business founded by renowned inventor and entrepreneur Dean Kamen to provide a solution to short-distance travel. The company has created the SegwayTM Human Transporter (HT), the first self-balancing, electric-powered transporter designed to enhance the productivity of people by increasing the distance they can travel and the amount they can carry. Segway is funded by: Credit Suisse First Boston Private Equity, one of the largest managers of alternative assets in the world, through Credit Suisse First Boston Equity Partners, L.P. and associated funds; Kleiner Perkins Caulfield & Byers, the leading venture capital firm helping entrepreneurs build sustainable technology businesses; and individual investors. For additional information about Segway, please visit our web site at: www.segway.com. Press releases and digital images are available at Segway's press center at: www.segway.com/news. Segway is a trademark of Segway LLC in the United States and in other countries. |