Airwheel similar to segway, likely penalty for use ?
Discussion
Sorry to drag up an oldish thread, but I can't believe this.
I remember when the segway was first released, people were asking if it would become a revolution in personal transport, especially inner city. Problem is that they're too expensive.
These airwheels are much more affordable, and don't look hard to use.
Ban cars in inner city areas and let these loose alongside bicycles.
I've seen videos of these being used in central London (Oxford street) with the guy in complete control, weaving through pedestrians with no issues.
I honestly can't believe that in this modern world, an excellent invention/product that could genuinely revolutionise 21st century cities, is completely hobbled by laws and legislation that make little to no real world sense.
Ridiculous world we live in.
I remember when the segway was first released, people were asking if it would become a revolution in personal transport, especially inner city. Problem is that they're too expensive.
These airwheels are much more affordable, and don't look hard to use.
Ban cars in inner city areas and let these loose alongside bicycles.
I've seen videos of these being used in central London (Oxford street) with the guy in complete control, weaving through pedestrians with no issues.
I honestly can't believe that in this modern world, an excellent invention/product that could genuinely revolutionise 21st century cities, is completely hobbled by laws and legislation that make little to no real world sense.
Ridiculous world we live in.
I would also have thought these could be a benefit particularly to some business like postal deliveries in certain semi rural areas and even pedestrianised town centres.
I could also see them being hired out along the lines of Boris bikes.
Seems very short sghted to simply effectively ban them.
I could also see them being hired out along the lines of Boris bikes.
Seems very short sghted to simply effectively ban them.
TNT are using them for deliveries in London at the moment, do they have a special exemption?
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/re...
I think they should be banned as you'll get people and kids using them instead of walking when walkings the only exercise a significant percentage of the population get, it will cost society billions due to ill health and obesity if walkings phased out.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/re...
I think they should be banned as you'll get people and kids using them instead of walking when walkings the only exercise a significant percentage of the population get, it will cost society billions due to ill health and obesity if walkings phased out.
TooMany2cvs said:
4mph is the legal maximum speed for pavement use. 8mph mobility scooters can only be used in "high speed mode" on the road.
Whenever I see them being used on the pavements they seem to be going at full speed, is there any law they are breaking by going 8mph on the pavement?untakenname said:
TNT are using them for deliveries in London at the moment, do they have a special exemption?
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/re...
I think they should be banned as you'll get people and kids using them instead of walking when walkings the only exercise a significant percentage of the population get, it will cost society billions due to ill health and obesity if walkings phased out.
Interesting to see TNT using them. But it's exactly what they should be being used for. Absolutely perfect. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/re...
I think they should be banned as you'll get people and kids using them instead of walking when walkings the only exercise a significant percentage of the population get, it will cost society billions due to ill health and obesity if walkings phased out.
TooMany2cvs said:
4mph is the legal maximum speed for pavement use. 8mph mobility scooters can only be used in "high speed mode" on the road.
Whenever I see them being used on the pavements they seem to be going at full speed, is there any law they are breaking by going 8mph on the pavement?I take your point regarding the nation's rising obesity levels, but I would argue that you need to be reasonably fit to use one of these things, plus, the nation's obesity problem is more likely down to eating habits plus a general lack of exercise.
Disregarding central London for a second, how about in the countryside.
My half brother was born missing his right foot. His prosthetic allows him to walk short distances, but the walking action causes rubbing and sores. One of these could allow him to see some parts of the British countryside that would otherwise be inaccessible to him. But these laws say that you can't use these things on public land...
Article says:
"The AirWheel, a contraption with two steps and an internal balancing mechanism, is legally allowed to travel on pavements and other pedestrian routes"
I'm going to email Airwheel and see what their official word is.
If it's advertised and sold as legal for pavement/footpath use then where do you stand if accosted by the BiB?
"The AirWheel, a contraption with two steps and an internal balancing mechanism, is legally allowed to travel on pavements and other pedestrian routes"
I'm going to email Airwheel and see what their official word is.
If it's advertised and sold as legal for pavement/footpath use then where do you stand if accosted by the BiB?
I know ignorance isn't an excuse, but surely with the company claiming legality (which I haven't actually seen yet), plus a major delivery company using them on public pavements, I think Joe public should be OK using them sensibly in public, and not face any comeuppance from the law.
Email sent, so we shall see what their official word is.
Edit:
Is TNT/whistl placing their use under their public liability, and therefore they are insured in case of an incident? Probably how they are getting around it...
I know naff all about insurance law etc, it's just really annoyed me how such a brilliant product has to face such ridiculous restrictions.
Email sent, so we shall see what their official word is.
Edit:
Is TNT/whistl placing their use under their public liability, and therefore they are insured in case of an incident? Probably how they are getting around it...
I know naff all about insurance law etc, it's just really annoyed me how such a brilliant product has to face such ridiculous restrictions.
Edited by FussyFez on Friday 24th October 18:26
Indeed. Well I had a response within an hour or so of sending the email.
-The AirWheel is not a road legal vehicle and therefore should not be used on UK roads.
- The AirWheel is permitted for use on pavements and public parks etc.
Many thanks
Thomas
AirWheel LTD
So, "permitted for use on pavements and public parks etc" is the official line.
Does the use of the word permitted mean they have been tested and certified?
-The AirWheel is not a road legal vehicle and therefore should not be used on UK roads.
- The AirWheel is permitted for use on pavements and public parks etc.
Many thanks
Thomas
AirWheel LTD
So, "permitted for use on pavements and public parks etc" is the official line.
Does the use of the word permitted mean they have been tested and certified?
FussyFez said:
Well I had a response within an hour or so of sending the email.
- The AirWheel is not a road legal vehicle and therefore should not be used on UK roads.
- The AirWheel is permitted for use on pavements and public parks etc.
Can anybody else spot the massive contradiction here?- The AirWheel is not a road legal vehicle and therefore should not be used on UK roads.
- The AirWheel is permitted for use on pavements and public parks etc.
Ignore the second line. The first one is the important one.
TooMany2cvs said:
FussyFez said:
Well I had a response within an hour or so of sending the email.
- The AirWheel is not a road legal vehicle and therefore should not be used on UK roads.
- The AirWheel is permitted for use on pavements and public parks etc.
Can anybody else spot the massive contradiction here?- The AirWheel is not a road legal vehicle and therefore should not be used on UK roads.
- The AirWheel is permitted for use on pavements and public parks etc.
Ignore the second line. The first one is the important one.
Corpulent Tosser said:
No, enlighten me.
Construction & Use regs apply to all motorised (internal combustion or electric) vehicles used on pavements and in other public places, as well as on the carriageway. Some classes of motorised vehicle are permitted on pavements, some aren't. This doesn't meet any of them, so isn't permitted in public places.TooMany2cvs said:
Corpulent Tosser said:
No, enlighten me.
Construction & Use regs apply to all motorised (internal combustion or electric) vehicles used on pavements and in other public places, as well as on the carriageway. Some classes of motorised vehicle are permitted on pavements, some aren't. This doesn't meet any of them, so isn't permitted in public places.I saw one "in the wild" today, on the road in London (Victoria) traveling at a fair rate of knots!
I really think these should be legal for road/bike lane use. It takes up less space than a bike, and is fantastic way of commuting the last mile or so to work. Perfect if you need to travel in to a town by bus or train.
I really think these should be legal for road/bike lane use. It takes up less space than a bike, and is fantastic way of commuting the last mile or so to work. Perfect if you need to travel in to a town by bus or train.
Is there not an advert where Clair Baldwin is talking b
ks whilst steering a Segway down a main road? Suppose it could be a private road though, or closed for filming. Still sends out the wrong signal, espesially after the thread where the new M4 advert was banned for giving the wrong impression.
ks whilst steering a Segway down a main road? Suppose it could be a private road though, or closed for filming. Still sends out the wrong signal, espesially after the thread where the new M4 advert was banned for giving the wrong impression.Gassing Station | Speed, Plod & the Law | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff