Canadian Council of the Blind wants tighter rules for Segways in Halifax

Members of the Nova Scotia chapter of the Canadian Council of the Blind want Halifax Regional Council to limit where and when people can use Segways on city streets.

As of May2016, provincial legislation allows the self-balancing, two-wheeled electric vehicles to be driven on sidewalks, bike lanesand roads with no licence required.

• Nova Scotia's Segway bill lays out rules for use on roads

But the group saysthe vehicles pose a threat to people who are blind, or partially sighted, as well as seniorsandpeople with disabilities.

"These Segways could really harm a person," said Pat Gates of the Canadian Council of the Blind's Nova Scotia chapter.

"We're just concerned thatif they're not limited to where they can go, they'll hit somebody and potentially kill them or do some real, serious injury."

Tighter rules for Segways

Under provincial legislation, Segway drivers must wear helmetsand be over the age of 16or14 with guardian permission when on a guided tour. They also cannot exceed 7 km/h on sidewalks and 20 km/h on roads.

The legislation leaves room for municipalities within Nova Scotia to set their own rules for the vehicles.

The Halifax Regional Municipality has said it will follow the rules set out in the Motor Vehicle Act until there is direction from council to study the issue.

Gates said a group of blind and partially sighted people will have five minutes to speak to the city's Transportation Standing Committee this week.

Gates said the group would like to see the city restrictwhere Segways are allowed, and perhaps limit their use to after-hours.

Could startle guide dogs

Gates is legally blind, and walks with a cane. She said she doesn't have a problem with Segwaytours led by a guidebecause she feels they are conducted safely. However, she will be avoiding the downtown area where they operate in the summer.

"I can't imagine them being down there with you know, the crowds in the summer," said Gates.

"I mean, I wouldn't be going down there, now that I know they're down there."

Gates said she is worried the vehicles could startle blind or disabled walkers, and their guide dogs.
She said bicycles and skateboards are not supposed to be driving on sidewalks for that very reason, and feels Segways are even more dangerous.

"When I leave my apartment with my white cane, sometimes I feel like I'm actually taking my life in my hands," said Gates.

"Because I depend on other people to be observant where I cannot be."

Segways are safe

Max Rastelli, aSegway dealer in Nova Scotia,said he recognizes the group's concerns, butmaintainsthe vehicles are safe.

"Because the studies, and the pilots have shown that they're safe," said Rastelli.

"I would really like to hear an argument that's based on, maybe not emotion, but based onsome facts or some hard data of why you want to prevent some of the benefits that these can bring."

RastellisaidNova Scotia was the first province in the country to legalizeSegwaysfor civilians.He arguedthe regulations will help keep drivers in check, and said there are only roughly between 15 and 30 individuals who own Segways in the province, outside of tour operators.

"It's a niche product. You are just not going to see a flood of Segwaystake over the streets and sidewalks of any area of this province."