Lembit’s Segway protest in capital

Monday 22nd March 2010, 11:38AM GMT.

Lembit Opin MP leads the Segway protest

Lembit Opik MP leads the Segway protest

At present, the electronic scooters, which are capable of speeds of up to 12mph and can be recharged using household mains supplies, can only be driven on private land. It is illegal to use them on highways or pavements.

Mr Opik said: “The claim that Segways are illegal beggars belief. As far as I can see, there isn’t a scrap of evidence for this in British law.

“However, it seems the Government in general, and Transport Secretary Lord Adonis in particular, are taking a sensible approach. If their consultation is effective, it will give the authorities a way to accept the common sense case to allow use of Segways on the same terms as electric bicycles.”

Former US president George Bush once fell off a Segway, while a Segway was given to the then prime minister Tony Blair by the King of Jordan a few years ago.

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  1. 1
    Matt

    Keep your Segway off our pavements, Opik!

    Report abuse

  2. 2
    jeffb

    If governments could find a way to tax them they would soon permit them.

    Report abuse

  3. 3
    mark

    12mph! Why not walk? Anyone who would want to ride around on one of these looking like a right wally should be allowed to – it’s not like the roads are going to be full of them anyway – remember the Sinclair C5.

    Report abuse

  4. 4
    Rob, Telford

    Oh dear oh dear……

    Report abuse

  5. 5
    English Exile

    Funny how people always quote European Law ”Rules” when it suits their argument.
    The Police and Security Companies use them all the time in Southern Spain along the miles of promenades and in large shopping centres.
    Handy little tools.
    I was in Portugal last week and in Albuferia you can hire these things.
    Strange isn’t it?

    Report abuse

  6. 6
    bish

    Shame with the country in the state its in that this is on his list of priorities. I do hope the people of Montgomery put an end to his self publicising exploits.

    Report abuse

  7. 7
    Nick

    Instead of making stupid comments based on ignorance (Mark) why not consider that for just 10p worth of electricity you can travel 24 miles in a little over two hours. I would like to see you walk that. As a regular Segway user (I ride every day) I fnd that most people that attack the Segway have taken no time to find out about it.Oh, and Matt, take a look at the picture, we were not riding on the pavement!!!!

    Report abuse

  8. 8
    jeff

    are they insured in case of accidents?
    are they allowed in bus lanes?
    at 12mph that’s quicker than most of the traffic in London
    as far as I know electric vehicles are allowed on roads or used to be with milk floats

    ps Lembit how’s this helping the people who put you in power?

    Report abuse

  9. 9
    gareth davies

    its great to see our local mp protesting in london about the Segway alot of use it will do in montgomery but there you go at least he in the spot light again and come may he might be in it again when he loses he seat

    Report abuse

  10. 10
    Gareth Davies

    great to see our local mp on hes Segway around the streets of london in protest cant see what use it is to hes own Consituancy after all those Sedways prity usefull round the towns and villages and country lanes of Montgomershire wont or is it that he is in the spot light again

    Report abuse

  11. 12
    mark

    Nick, For zero pence I can cycle 24 miles in under 2 hours.
    I really dont beleive for one minute that you actually do travel 24 miles on the thing anyway.

    Just my opinion but it does make the driver look a wally.

    Report abuse

  12. 13
    MacPherson

    Licence ‘em, insure ‘em, give ‘em registrations, lights and M.O.T’s and I have no problem with them. But like all current (pun intended) electric vehicles, they are not green because the batteries use rare and toxic metals that have to be disposed of later and they are charged using electicity and where does that come from? Mostly from power stations! And I don’t want them buzzing round my legs in pedestrian only areas.

    Report abuse

  13. 14
    Wow I Want One!!

    Where do I get one and how much?

    Report abuse

  14. 15
    KarenK

    I once cycled 24 miles to buy a battery and I recall having 24 batteries which I recycled. I did all of this within the alotted 2 hours.

    Report abuse

  15. 16
    Andy H

    Have you seen how much they cost???? £4,795.00 It might only cost a few pence to charge but factor in the purchase price and its hardly a cost effective way to travel. Get a push bike. They’re cheaper, they don’t use electricity and get you fit thereby saving the NHS a few quid whilst your at it.

    Report abuse

  16. 17
    Peter F

    I went on a guided tour through Rome on a segway, and it was brilliant. I’d love them to be legalised over here

    Report abuse



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