Segways are not Disability Devices

Segways are not "medical devices”. In Ontario, we are justifiably concerned about bad precedent legislation that would define Segways as Electric Personal Assistance Mobility Devices [EPAMD’s]; thereby, classifying the EPAMD driver as a pedestrian just like a wheelchair user. "without prejudice" All CCRF, 1982 Sc2(b)

Saturday, May 06, 2006

About and the reasons for this segwaydisabled blog site!

While this document was prepared specifically for the Ontario Ministry of Transport, it will have relevance to all levels of government globally when considering recognizing Segways as Electric Personal Assistance Mobility Devices [EPAMD’s], by classifying the EPAMD driver as a pedestrian just like a wheelchair user. Segways are not "medical devices”; we are justifiably concerned about bad precedent legislation that would anomalously define a Segway as a pedestrian.


Mobility believes that Segways may very well be a legitimate medical assistance and liberating device for people of disability where the definition of disability according to Statistic’s Canada is “a condition that limits one’s participation in activities of daily living”. Our group’s concerns related to Segways being approved as EPAMD’s relate to the ethical and legal obligations at all government levels in Canada to protect all sidewalk stakeholders both able bodied and disabled.

# posted by Segway for Ontario @ 11:07 AM

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Disclaimer:
The word “segway” has come to mean a whole myriad of “fun” sidewalk toys in todays lexicon. Whether it is a two, three or four wheel --- electrically or gas powered ---“personal assistance vehicle”, “personal mobility device” or whatever --- under the trade name Segway, Embrio, Nolet Electric Cruiser, Rad2Go Electric Chariot --- or colloquially as “ginger”, “ruth” or “fred”, --- they do not belong on the sidewalk. Innovative Mobility does not see these vehicles, regardles of what they may be called, as evil but rather innovative and amazing technology that belong on the roadways and not on public pedestrian pathways where they present a clear and present risk to pedestrians and other City stakeholders. Our mantra is pure and simple to all municipalities and regulating bodies “Please keep the sidewalks safe and do not provide preferential sidewalk access to the wealthy” by allowing them to use the sidewalks as their playground”; “there is simply too many open ended and unanswered questions to allow even limited trials of these sidewalk SUV’s or to approve only for use by persons with disability.”

“without prejudice”
The aforesaid is the opinion of Innovative Mobility based on the best available information available today. As we have said before “Segways are not evil, we believe that they are innovative and phenomenal technology – but they do not belong on the sidewalk or any public trails or pathways used by seniors or children. Redefining the accepted definition of “pedestrian” for the benefit of a single company is outrageously inappropriate.”