Projo Biz Blog

The Newport City Council is considering an ordinance to ban Segway personal transporters from city streets and sidewalks.

The two-wheeled, single-person battery-operated vehicles can go about 12 miles an hour. Riders stand and steer with a handlebar.

The city last year denied a request from a tour operator to run Segway tours around downtown Newport and to the city's famous oceanside mansions, saying they could be a traffic hazard. Segways are used in other tourist destinations around the country to give tours.

A spokesman for New Hampshire-based Segway told the council Wednesday night that cars, scooters, roller blades and bicycles can go on city streets and sidewalks, and Segways should be no different.

The council asked the city solicitor to review the proposal.

-- The Associated Press

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