The Chainlink

Alderman wants to ban Segways from lakefront path

I'm more concerned about Segways on sidewalks in the Loop, but it's nice to see at least some thought being given to the tourists zipping around on motorized vechicles that they can barely control.

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/chi-alderman-want...

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Permalink Reply by Gort 12-mile Pinklegneep on June 28, 2012 at 2:48pm

I like going out on a sunny day with a friend in one of those four-wheel pedal machine contraptions, what do they call it, two bikes.

Permalink Reply by Craig S. on June 28, 2012 at 4:12pm
I'd like to ban everybody but me from the LFP.
Permalink Reply by Adam Herstein on June 28, 2012 at 4:14pm

+2

Tony Adams said:

I don't ride the LFP very often, but I've never noticed a problem with electric bikes. Spandex clad training riders present a much larger problem when they plow down the path at recklessly high speeds.

Permalink Reply by Kevin C Dormant on June 28, 2012 at 4:19pm

How would this benefit me?

Craig S. said:

I'd like to ban everybody but me from the LFP.
Permalink Reply by Adam "Cezar" Jenkins on June 28, 2012 at 4:21pm

I agree. The hate on electric bikes is just smugness.

Lisa Curcio said:

+1

Tony Adams said:

I don't ride the LFP very often, but I've never noticed a problem with electric bikes. Spandex clad training riders present a much larger problem when they plow down the path at recklessly high speeds.
 

Permalink Reply by Craig S. on June 28, 2012 at 4:36pm
This is an amazing statement considering you admit you don't ride the LFP much. It's not just the roadie crowd that are a problem. How about those that text and ride, or talk and ride, or ride no hands, or all of the above? I consider myself part of the roadie crowd and I know that everyone else but me is the problem.


Tony Adams said:

I don't ride the LFP very often, but I've never noticed a problem with electric bikes. Spandex clad training riders present a much larger problem when they plow down the path at recklessly high speeds.

Jason said:

I have emailed Alderman Reilly and asked him to extend this ordinance to all electric vehicles, including electric bikes. Please do the same if you feel so inclined.

http://www.ward42chicago.com/contact_info.html

Permalink Reply by Craig S. on June 28, 2012 at 4:37pm
I would be a happier person and would probably share more beer with you.

Kevin C said:

How would this benefit me?

Craig S. said:

I'd like to ban everybody but me from the LFP.
Permalink Reply by h' Zerocats on June 28, 2012 at 5:02pm

Well, most (or all) are rentals, no?

I've always thought the price was not =high= enough for these things to catch on.

Let everyone know they start at 50k and you'll have people zooming around on them just to show how much money they have to throw around.

Peenworm Grubologist said:

i would've thought that the price would effectively ban them from purchase and looking like a complete toolshed would keep people from renting them but, alas, here we are.

122782_ said:

Can we just ban all segways everywhere?

Permalink Reply by Debra J on July 1, 2012 at 7:27pm
Good riddance to those Segways. I hope the Alderman's proposal gains some support.

I was in Southern California recently and rented a cruiser to bike around Santa Monica and Venice. I saw a woman on a rented Segway going up a slight incline and completely wipe out and go flying off the thing.

Ironically, the owner of the Segway company fell off a cliff and died while riding a Segway. http://m.wired.com/gadgetlab/2010/09/segway-death/

I just checked Trip Advisor for Chicago. At one time, a Segway tour was listed as the most popular activity. Now, I didn't even see it in the top 20. Art Institute is back on top. Yeah!
Permalink Reply by h' Zerocats on July 1, 2012 at 9:30pm

Hmm... my impression of Reilly is that he's pretty much above-board. Do you have knowledge to the contrary?

Chris C said:

Segways but not 4-seat pedals cars.  Hmm.  Could it be that Segway has deeper pockets and the Honorable Alderman is looking to squeeze another vendor.  Nah!

Permalink Reply by Chris B on July 2, 2012 at 7:47am

agreed. I ride the LFP twice a day. I would not be too excited to hop on the segway banning bandwagon. They are at least slow, and have tour leaders that are usually pretty responsible (I usually see them stop and wait, and have overheard one tour leader tell the tourists that their right of way is "last" ). But if they ban these which may not seem very dangerous, it will be relatively easy to convince people to start restricting bicycles in some manner to keep the speed down. It doesn't matter if pedestrians not paying attention are the problem or if it's the people working out and riding fast that are the problem. Because it's not about facts, it's about perception and tribes.

In addition I am not sure why, as a user of "alternative" transport that is often fought against as dangerous, why I would want to assist the majority in holding down other forms of alternative transport. especially without stats or evidence to show they are indeed dangerous, just opinion and anecdote.

Tony Adams said:

I don't ride the LFP very often, but I've never noticed a problem with electric bikes. Spandex clad training riders present a much larger problem when they plow down the path at recklessly high speeds.

Jason said:

I have emailed Alderman Reilly and asked him to extend this ordinance to all electric vehicles, including electric bikes. Please do the same if you feel so inclined.

http://www.ward42chicago.com/contact_info.html

Permalink Reply by Jared on July 2, 2012 at 9:40am

I'm not sure I can recall seeing regular people using them on sidewalks.  Police once in awhile and security people and then the tours, but Segways just never took off with the general population.

Cameron Puetz said:

I honesty feel that Segways should be regulated more like bikes as they have a similar speed and maneuverability. They don't really bother me on the LFP, but on sidewalks they seem like a hazard.

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