3 ms·

UK to allow driverless cars on public roads

14 points by jjp 12y ago

hactually 12y ago
And yet we don't allow Segways in public?
- junto 12y ago
  I think the ban is valid. UK roads are both busy, narrow and not suitable for Segways within normal vehicle traffic. Pavements are also narrow or non-existent and Segways would be a hazard to pedestrians, especially children. Hence, I agree with the ban in the UK. Other countries have more suitable wide streets and pavements due to more modern city planning. The UK is somewhat unique in its stable history, such that the layout of nearly all big cities has not changed drastically over hundreds of years. As the car has taken over the cities, the amount of pavement (sidewalk) space has been reduced. Here are some typical UK pavements if anyone is interested: - http://imgur.com/lLnqZYX http://imgur.com/lLnqZYX - http://imgur.com/MkA91eZ http://imgur.com/MkA91eZ - http://imgur.com/mly6Oms http://imgur.com/mly6Oms There are towns where Segways could share dedicated cycle paths though, however it would need a change in the Road Traffic Act 1991 to allow for local bylaws to make exceptions for Segway usage, since a permit for national Segway usage would not make sense for the reasons outlined above. I admit that I am guessing here, but my assumption is that Segway riders would be competing for space on the pavement rather than dodging in and out of buses, cars and motorcycles in rush hour traffic. Cyclists have it hard enough in London. I cannot imagine what kind of dramas would unfold if we added Segways into that mix. http://ibikelondon.blogspot.co.uk/2013/07/65-london-cyclists-dead-in-5-years-why.html http://ibikelondon.blogspot.co.uk/2013/07/65-london-cyclists...
  - hactually 12y ago
    That last photo deserve someone using their segway in an interesting way on that stupidly parked car. Their justification seemed to be mostly about taxation and that it should pay VED. Those aren't atypical pavements else I'm not sure how the mobility scooters would fair if all pavements looked like that. I have to wonder why they're allowed either, surely similar specs?

14 points by jjp 12y ago

hactually 12y ago

And yet we don't allow Segways in public?

junto 12y ago
I think the ban is valid. UK roads are both busy, narrow and not suitable for Segways within normal vehicle traffic. Pavements are also narrow or non-existent and Segways would be a hazard to pedestrians, especially children. Hence, I agree with the ban in the UK. Other countries have more suitable wide streets and pavements due to more modern city planning. The UK is somewhat unique in its stable history, such that the layout of nearly all big cities has not changed drastically over hundreds of years. As the car has taken over the cities, the amount of pavement (sidewalk) space has been reduced. Here are some typical UK pavements if anyone is interested: - http://imgur.com/lLnqZYX http://imgur.com/lLnqZYX - http://imgur.com/MkA91eZ http://imgur.com/MkA91eZ - http://imgur.com/mly6Oms http://imgur.com/mly6Oms There are towns where Segways could share dedicated cycle paths though, however it would need a change in the Road Traffic Act 1991 to allow for local bylaws to make exceptions for Segway usage, since a permit for national Segway usage would not make sense for the reasons outlined above. I admit that I am guessing here, but my assumption is that Segway riders would be competing for space on the pavement rather than dodging in and out of buses, cars and motorcycles in rush hour traffic. Cyclists have it hard enough in London. I cannot imagine what kind of dramas would unfold if we added Segways into that mix. http://ibikelondon.blogspot.co.uk/2013/07/65-london-cyclists-dead-in-5-years-why.html http://ibikelondon.blogspot.co.uk/2013/07/65-london-cyclists...
- hactually 12y ago
  That last photo deserve someone using their segway in an interesting way on that stupidly parked car. Their justification seemed to be mostly about taxation and that it should pay VED. Those aren't atypical pavements else I'm not sure how the mobility scooters would fair if all pavements looked like that. I have to wonder why they're allowed either, surely similar specs?