tisdag 29 juli 2008

Regulations for Self-balancing Scooters

Man skulle ju kunna tro att Segwayens bekymmer är att den är dyr, relativt långsam och inte går särskilt långt på en laddning, och att den därför aldrig kommer bli särskilt vanlig, men det är inte bara i Sverige det kliar i regleringsfingrarna:

Self Balancing Scooters and similar vehicles

Self-balancing scooters, such as the Segway Human Transporter (HT), are powered by electricity and transport a passenger standing on a platform propelled on two or more wheels. They are capable of speeds up to 12 mph (20 km/h).

In relation to road use, the Department for Transport considers that these are powered vehicles, subject to road traffic law. The Vehicle Excise and Registration Act 1994 (VERA) states that every mechanically propelled vehicle used or kept on a public road should be registered and licensed. As self-balancing scooters are mechanically propelled, they also require registration and a vehicle registration licence (tax disc). Additionally, the user would need a driving licence and motor insurance.

To obtain registration, a vehicle would need to comply with basic safety standards. Most 2-wheeled vehicles being registered are made in accordance with the European rules which came into operation on 17 June 1999. This is known as European Community Whole Vehicle Type Approval (ECWVTA) and applies to vehicles capable of more than 4mph (6km/h).

Ur FAQ:n på samma sida:
You can only ride an unregistered self-balancing scooter on land which is private property and with the landowner's permission. The Department would advise that appropriate safety clothing should be worn at all times.

(Via Treehugger)

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