Agenda Item # Page # CHAIR AND MEMBERS ENVIRONMENT AND TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE

Size: px

Start display at page:

Download "Agenda Item # Page # CHAIR AND MEMBERS ENVIRONMENT AND TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE"

Myrtle Warren
5 years ago
Views:

1 TO: --- tkom: 11 SUBJECT 1 CHAIR AND MEMBERS ENVIRONMENT AND TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE DAVID A. LECKIE. - P. ENG DIRECTOR OF ROADS ANDTRANSPORTATION ENVIRONMENTAL (L ENGINEERING SERVICES DEPARTMENT MEETING ON JUNE 20,2005 SegwayTM Human Transporter 1 Allowance on Sidewalks & Recreational Pathways I] RECOMMENDATION That, on the recommendation of the Director of Roads and Transportation: (a) the following report BE RECEIVED for information. I II PREVIOUS REPORTS PERTINENT TO THIS MATTER II None. Purpose: BACKGROUND This report responds to the May 9Ih, 2005 ETC request in regards to the use of the SegwayTM Human Transporter on sidewalks and recreational pathways: Context: At the request of the Environment and Transportation Committee, Sergeant Tom OBrien of London Police Services has forwarded an article authored by him and printed in the London Free Press which speaks to this topic. Also included is information about two and three wheeled vehicles from the Ministry of Transportation. Please see Appendices A and B for this information. Discussion: The SegwayTM Human Transporter is defined as a self-balancing, electric powered transportation machine designed for one person, with a top speed of 20 km/h. The position of The London Police Services at this time is to not allow these vehicles on public sidewalks and recreational pathways, nor on City streets. Several municipalities are conducting pilot projects relating to the use of these machines, and this issue may be re-visited as further information regarding their use becomes available.

2 Acknowledgements: This report was prepared Sean Russell. SUBMITTED m: RECOMMENDED BY: - I,3 PLANNING & DESIGN DAVID A. LECKIE, P.ENG, DIRECTOR ROADS & TRANSPORTATION SWsar Attach. Appendix A - New and Emerging Vehicles In Ontario - Tom O'Brien, Sergeant - Traffic Management Unit, London Police Service Appendix B - Two and Three Wheeled Vehicles in Ontario - Ministry of Transportation of Ontario ernerainalindex. htrnl#limited cc: P.W. Steblin, P. Eng Y:\shared\Traffic\SRusseiiLSegway Human TransportehSegway ETC - May

3 El 1 New and Emeraina vehicles in Ontario APPENDIX A As we near the end of the school year and as the weather allows more outdoor activities it is very important that a clear message is sent to the public about some of the new vehicles that are out there on the market. Last year London saw the emergence of the motorized scooters and mini motorcycles. These vehicles, developed and used primarily in California and now other States have made their way into Ontario as fun vehicles to ride. Very few have any redeeming transportation value for commuters though. Statistics coming from the United States indicate that collisions involving motorized toy vehicles are on the rise and that 39% involve children under the age of 15. There have been a number of deaths associated to these vehicles as well. In order to be licenced and allowed on Ontario roads, vehicles must pass numerous stringent safety tests. These toy vehicles don t and therefore are not safe to be on the roads. Driving a motor vehicle on a street is a serious matter, it is difficult enough dealing with licenced drivers driving inappropriately without dealing with unlicenced, inexperienced operators driving dangerous toy vehicles. There may come a time in Ontario when some of these vehicles are allowed on our roads. The electric bicycle is being carefully considered. The Segway as well is being considered for a pilot project in specific cities however until such time that these motorized contraptions are legalized they have no place on our roads, sidewalks or public pathways. Please don t waste your money purchasing them only to be frustrated and disappointed later by the police doing their job. I apologize for being the bearer of bad news but I don t apologize for trying to make our roads safer. To get the official position of the Ministry of Transportation, please check out the website below. html#limited Sgt. Tom O Brien Traffic Management Unit London Police Service

4 Agenda item # Page # APPENDIX B Ontario Mixiis,@ of Transportatmn Two and Three-Wheeled Vehicles in Ontario Information Update. New types of vehicles and devices anive in the Limited-Speed Motorcycles ~ ;. ~ n ~ ~ ~! ~ marketplace everyday. ~ ~ ~ ~. ~! me province recognizes V~~~~~~ the importance of these new market innovations as they ~. expand mobility saww bcrems 1 options for Ontarians and provide an environmentally friendly way to travel. But, it is also important to know whether these vehicles can-or cannot-legally operate on our roads. It is also important to know what safety requirements must be met. In additon to these new vehicle types, the ministry continues to receive questions about bicycle and wheelchair use. pfpducfm S ~ n r i c ~. Low-Speed Vehicles. Electric and Motorized Scooters. Pocket Bikes. Personal Mobilitv Devices. SemavTM Human Transuorter. Motor-Assisted Bicycles. Power-AssistedElectric Bicvcles. Bicycles Before you operate a new vehicle type, you should contact your local municipality. They will tell you whether or not your vehicleidevice can legally travel on their sidewalks and/or bike paths. Many new vehicles and devices, such as go-peds, limited-speed vehicles and the "Human Transporters" (Le., SegwayTM), fall within the definition of a motor vehicle in Ontario's Highway

5 Traffic Act (HTA). The HTA requires motor vehicles to be registered, have licence plates, and the operator to have a valid driver's licence and appropriate insurance. Anyone caught operating one of these vehiclesidevices on Ontario's roads without complying with these requirements could face charges for driving an unlicensed and uninsured motor vehicle. Also, certain vehicles/devices such as go-peds and pocket bikes cannot operate on public roads in Ontario because they do not meet: Provincial equipment safety standards for motor vehicles, such as standards regulating lighting, braking, seat belts, etc. Federal standards for motor vehicles used on public roads. The province continues to review both existing and new vehicle types to determine whether they fit into the HTA or if a new vehicle definition is required. Road safety will be a key consideration in determining which new vehicles or devices may operate on Ontario's roads. This information update is to be used as a guide only. For official purposes, please refer to the Highway Traffic Act. Top of page e SegwayTM Human Transporter CanllOt be operated on roads in Ontario A personal human transporter (Le. SegwayTM) is defined as a selfbalancing, electric-powered transportation machine designed for one person, with a top speed of 20 M. The definition of motor vehicle in Ontario's HTA encompasses this type of personal transportation vehicle. However, this device does not meet Ontario's equipment safety standards for on-road use. This device is not included as a vehicle intended for on-road use under the MVSA, and is considered a device for a pedestrian environment. Personal transportation devices may be operated where the HTA does not apply, such as on private property. Anyone using a SegwayTM should contact local municipalities for by-laws pertaining to their use on bicycle paths and sidewalks. Top of page 8 on- This site maintained by the Government of Ontario, Canada Oueen's Printer for Ontario Last Modified: January 5, 2005

New and Emerging Vehicles

New and Emerging Vehicles Fact Sheet New Emerging Vehicles E-bikes, Mopeds Motor Scooters This to version of document ensure that Link to HTA: is intended for information only. While Ministry of Transportation does its information