Why is the California State Government subsidizing the distribution of the Segway electric scooters?

To the Editor:

Your recent front page article, "State wants to make way for Segway" (The Times, August 22) was depressing. Why is our government subsidizing the production and distribution of the electric Segway scooters with a new test program slated for Pleasant Hill sidewalks? Could it be the Segway lobbyists in Sacramento? Why are they wasting our tax dollars on this program? Now I can see how the State government has managed to create a massive budget deficit.

Last year, in its infinite wisdom, our Legislature decided to define a Segway driver plus a Segway electric scooter as a pedestrian. In other words. Segway + driver = pedestrian. Any child of seven can plainly see that this Sacramento new math doesn't add up. This electric scooter weighs sixty-six pounds and can travel at speeds up to 12 mph. If a driver on a Segway hits a pedestrian, the pedestrian will get hurt.

What do the fattest people on the planet need the least? Why, a five thousand dollar electric scooter so they can walk even less. Brilliant. This scooter will be the new toy for sidewalk bullies on wheels. Segway electric scooters are vehicles and belong in bicycle lanes, not on our sidewalks.

Yours truly,

James K. Sayre

22 August 2003