Attention: Senator Hilary Clinton (NY.)
NO on Senate # S. 2024

We write as representatives of New York pedestrian, bicycle and transportation advocacy groups to express our absolute opposition to #S.2024 legislation allowing motorized vehicles like the "Segway" device on sidewalks. Sidewalks are for people to walk and jog on, and children to bicycle on. Pedestrians are already a vulnerable and beleaguered group. It is wrong and unsafe to make toddlers, parents with baby carriages, little children on tricycles, disabled persons and the elderly share scarce sidewalk space with any motorized vehicle - whether it is a so-called "Electronic Personal Assistive Mobility Devices" or a motorcycle.

An enormous amount of public space - our streets and roads - has been set aside for motorized vehicles like the "Segway" device. The "Segway" and other motorized vehicles belong in the streets, whether they are fueled by gasoline, natural gas or hydrogen, or powered by internal combustion engines, fuel cells or electric motors.

Most states and localities bar adult bicyclists from sidewalks, and for good reason: adult cyclists are too big, too fast and too threatening to safely occupy space used by small children and other vulnerable pedestrians. An adult operating a "Segway" device presents a greater threat to pedestrians than does a 14-year-old bicyclist.

There is a well-funded commercial lobbying campaign underway to convince legislators that the "Segway" device is somehow inherently different from other motorized vehicles. It is not. It is a heavy, motorized platform which can attain speeds of 15-20 mph. We deplore the self-serving efforts of the manufacturers of "Segway" to obtain special classification and privileges for their motorized vehicle on the unfounded premise that it is safe for sidewalk travel while others are not.

"Segway" devices belong in the street with cars, motorcycles and other motorized vehicles. We are counting on you to keep sidewalks safe places for toddling children, baby carriages, dog-walking, chatting with neighbors and walking.

John Kaehny
Transportation Alternatives, 115 West 30th Street, Suite 1207, New York, NY 10001

Jon Orcutt
Tri-State Transportation Campaign, 240 West 35th Street, Suite 801, New York, NY 10001

Rich Kassel
Natural Resources Defense Council, 40 West 20th St., New York, NY, 10011

Val Washington
Environmental Advocates of NY, 353 Hamilton St., Albany, NY 12210

Ellen Cavanagh
Neighborhood Streets Network, 370 5th Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11215

Walter Hook
Institute for Transportation Development Policy, 115 W30th St., Ste 1205, New York, NY 10001