Bill seeks to make two-wheeled IT legal in Alabama
By PHILIP RAWLS -- The Associated Press -- 1/21/02 12:11 PM
al.com
MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) -- It will take a law to make sure "IT" can become a hit in Alabama.
Sen. Gerald Dial and Rep. Mike Hubbard are trying to pass a law guaranteeing that the gyroscope-stabilized, battery-powered, one-person scooter originally known as "IT" can be used on Alabama roads, sidewalks and bike paths.
The Senate passed Dial's legislation on Tuesday. The House Judiciary Committee approved Hubbard's bill Wednesday. Hubbard said he hopes to have one of the bills through the Legislature within a couple of weeks.
The legislators said state law doesn't address the two-wheeled device, and an attorney working with the company contacted them about making sure the invention could be used in Alabama.
"They are pretty much having to do this in all 50 states because none of the motor vehicle laws have anything like this in them," Hubbard said.
When inventor Dean Kamen was working on the device, it was known by the code names "IT" and "Ginger." After Kamen unveiled it in December, he gave it the official name of "Segway Human Transporter."
So far, the legislatures in New Jersey and North Carolina have passed laws covering the Segway. Many other state are currently considering bills, said Brian Toohey, Segway's vice president of regulatory and international affairs.
Hubbard's and Dial's bills have proceeded, so far, without any opposition. Dee Dee Sharp, spokeswoman for the state Department of Public Safety, said the agency has not taken a position on the legislation.
Segway's inventor expects the device to change city life, replacing cars in congested urban areas. Commercial versions are already in production for about $8,000 each and are being tested by the Postal Service in Tampa. Consumer versions, costing about $3,000, are supposed to be available by year's end.
Dial said he sees the Segway being used in Alabama by shoppers in big malls and the elderly who have limited mobility.
"It's such a unique concept," Dial said.
The legislators' bills treat the Segway largely like a bicycle. It could be operated on public highways, sidewalks and bike paths during daylight and dark.
The owners wouldn't have to get vehicle tags or register the device with the state Revenue Department.
Cities could ban the device on public highways where the speed limit is more than 25 miles per hour.
Since the Segway is so new, no customs have developed about how the operators are supposed to treat others, but Dial's and Hubbard's bills attempt to help.
They require an operator "to give an audible signal before overtaking and passing any pedestrian."
On the Net: segway.com
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