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Legislators anxious It is known as "Ginger" or "IT," a new self-balancing, electric-powered transportation device used for short distances that is not expected to appear on Hawaii streets until year's end.
to roll on personal
transport device
Lawmakers consider pre-emptive
measures concerning "Ginger"By Pat Omandam
pomandam@starbulletin.comAnd already, state lawmakers -- at the urging of Ginger's creators -- want a say on who can operate it here and how it can be used.
"It's regulation where regulation isn't needed," said House Minority Floor Leader Charles Djou (R, Kaneohe).
"I think it's a perfect example of state government overreaching and getting its nose into places it really, honestly doesn't need to be in," Djou said.
Mainland inventor Dean Kamen's electric personal assistive mobility device, officially known as the Segway Human Transporter, was unveiled last December before a national audience as an alternative solution to city traffic congestion.
The two-wheeled device, which resembles a souped-up push lawnmower, uses self-balancing technology to allow a single person to operate it. It can travel as far as 17 miles on a single charge and at speeds of up to 12.5 mph.
Currently under evaluation by the U.S. Postal Service, the National Park Service, the city of Atlanta and others for its commercial applications, it is expected to be available to consumers late this year. Three of the very first editions are being sold at an online auction, with bids already ranging as high as $100,000 for one as of yesterday.
The company has pushed hard for state regulation of Ginger this year so people can legally use it when it does become available. So far, bills have been introduced in more than 30 states, while New Hampshire, New Jersey and New Mexico have already passed laws on it.
In Hawaii, House Bill 2031 along with a companion Senate bill (SB 2601), originally imposed some tough, motor vehicle-like standards for the personal transporter, such as requiring it be subject to the state vehicle weight tax, the state traffic code, the state lemon law and other regulations.
Lawmakers also wanted to limit its speed to 8 mph, even though it does not have a speedometer.
"It's trying to regulate a problem before there is a problem," said state Rep. Mark Moses (R, Kapolei), who successfully pushed to allow anyone of any age with a mobility-related disability to use the device.
The House Transportation Committee eliminated the motor vehicle requirements, but it will still be tough for the average resident to legally use it. The changes allow those age 16 or older to operate the device -- but only if they are a government employee or an employee of a commercial establishment performing their duties.
The device would be banned from streets but allowed on sidewalks and bike paths, raising several pedestrian safety issues.
State transportation officials have testified there is a potential for injury if people use the transporter on bike paths and sidewalks. Since they are a bit wider than a person, riding two or more abreast could make it difficult for bicyclists to pass or for pedestrians to quickly get out of the way.
House Transportation Vice Chairman Willie Espero (D, Ewa Beach) contends lawmakers are not jumping the gun on Ginger this year. Instead, they want some minimum standards and restrictions in place to avoid having children using these devices as toys as they become widely available.
"This is something that you'll probably see and hear more of within the next year or two on what's going to be the best, safest use of these motorized contraptions," Espero said.
Honolulu police say they do not want these devices on roadways or public areas at all until specific regulations are in place. Police want the state Transportation Department to come up with proposed laws for Ginger, as well as for motorized scooters and skateboards, which are gaining popularity.
Segway officials, in written testimony last week to the committee, said the National Highway Traffic Safety Admin- istration ruled this device is not a motor vehicle. Instead, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission has jurisdiction over it as a consumer product, said Matt Dailida, state government affairs manager for the New Hampshire-based Segway.
"By allowing people to cover more ground in less time and giving them the strength to carry more, (the device) will reduce the need for cars and other vehicles with combustion engines," Dailida said.
"We think this will produce some profound environmental changes: reduced fuel consumption, cleaner air and reduced environmental stress," he said.
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