Segways could soon join cycles on Burlington’s bike path.
The city’s Parks and Recreation Commission is scheduled at its November 27 meeting to consider allowing recreational use of the battery-powered personal transportation devices on the 7.5-mile bike path. Adoption of such a policy could clear the way for the start of guided Segway tours next spring.
Rick Sharp (pictured), a 59-year-old attorney who was instrumental in the bike path’s creation, has been trying for the past three years to win city approval for Segway tours he plans to operate on a commercial basis. Sharp expresses hope that the parks commission will support his initiative on at least a trial basis.
He’s winning backing for his idea from some key figures.
Chapin Spencer, director of the pedestrian and bicycle advocacy group Local Motion, says he’s in favor of giving Segways a trial run. “It would be a chance for [Sharp] to prove it works on the bike path and sidewalks,” Spencer comments.
Kelly Devine, director of the Burlington Business Association, is also personally open to trial use of Segways downtown and along the lake. Devine emphasizes that she has not yet presented the issue to her group’s board of directors.
The new city parks director likewise appears supportive of Sharp’s proposal for a test of Segways’ compatibility with other uses of the bike path. Jesse Bridges, now in his fourth week on the job, says there’s little question that the city must accept Segway use by disabled persons. Sharp is himself disabled as a result of a paragliding accident several years ago.
Bridges adds that Sharp seemed to have addressed safety concerns in regard to recreational use during a Segway outing that the two recently took on the bike path.
For his part, Sharp remarks, “After three years of stonewalling, I’m thrilled that we actually have a parks director who returns emails and who is willing to experience a Segway first-hand.”
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hey, if cars have to share the road with bicyclists, i don’t see how any bicyclists can object to having segways. after all, all you bicyclists are about sharing.
seems like an appropriate name for you, Gerry MALavedna, methinks the term “ugly americans ” was coined to characterize Americans with attitudes like your selfish self!
The BIKE path is already highly utilized by walkers, joggers, roller bladers and cyclists. We do not need to add to the congestion with recreational motorized vehicles such as Segways or electrified scooters (except the types used by people who are not able to walk). The purpose of the bike path is to keep the city healthy and vibrant.
yes, let’s exclude people from using the bike path. That sounds logical and intelligent.
And the purpose of the road is to allow motor vehicles to move from place to place. So, I agree 100% with you, give the walkers and such the sidewalks, bikers the bikepath, and leave the roads to cars and trucks.
How about mopeds too? Not much different than Segways
I think people are missing the point. They are for TOURS aka more revenue. I really doubt that just because they will be allowed means everyone is going to go out and spend $6000 on a segway.
Besides, having visited one of Chicago’s waterfront bike paths(which allow segways), I can personally attest that they do not cause a danger to pedestrians using the busy pathways already.
So true. We have taken Segway tours of Boston, Paris, Florence, Queenstown, NZ and Las Vegas. Segways stop faster than a bike and are more controlable. For the disabled like me they are a Godsend. We saw 4 or 5 times as much of each of these cities as we could have seen with two good feet. Segways could reduce car traffic downtown, thus reducing pollution, CO2 emmissions and our carbon footprint. They could help make Burlington a more livable city. All you have to do is give them a try.