FINAL BILL REPORT

ESB 6316

C 247 L 02

Synopsis as Enacted

Brief Description:  Regulating electric personal assistive mobility devices.

Sponsors:  Senators Kastama, Horn, Prentice, Johnson, Eide, Finkbeiner, McCaslin, McDonald, Swecker, Jacobsen, Fairley, Oke, Costa, Thibaudeau, Morton and Benton.

Senate Committee on Transportation

House Committee on Transportation

Background:  The Segway is an electronic mobility device that maintains balance through a technology called "dynamic stabilization."  Dynamic stabilization uses gyroscopes and tilt sensors, software and circuit boards, and high-powered electric motors to maintain balance the same way a person balances.

The Segway consumer model travels at a maximum of 12.5 miles per hour and travels up to 17 miles on a single charge.  The Segway carries a passenger of up to 250 pounds and it weighs about 80 pounds.

Summary:  The Segway is defined as an electronic personal assistive mobility device (EPAMD).  The EPAMD is a self-balancing two-wheeled device with an electric propulsion system, designed to transport one person.  The maximum speed on a paved level surface, when  ridden by an operator who weighs 170 pounds is less than 20 m.p.h.

An EPAMD is not a motor driven vehicle or a motorcycle.  The operator of an EPAMD is not required to have a driver's license and is not subject to vehicle lighting and other equipment requirements.  The EPAMD is not required to have a certificate of ownership and is not subject to vehicle licensing requirements.

The EPAMD is allowed on bike paths and sidewalks.  An EPAMD operator is considered to have all of the rights and duties of a pedestrian except that a person operating an EPAMD obeys all speed limits and yields the right-of-way to pedestrians and human powered devices at all times. An operator must also give an audible signal before overtaking and passing any pedestrian.

Municipalities and the Department of Transportation may prohibit the use of the EPAMD on public highways within its jurisdiction where the speed limit is greater than 25 m.p.h.  Municipalities may also restrict the speed of an EPAMD in areas with congested pedestrian or nonmotorized traffic.  State agencies may also restrict the use of an EPAMD in specific areas.

Votes on Final Passage:

Senate409

House912(House amended)

Senate377(Senate concurred)

Effective:  June 13, 2002