Segway LLC manufactures electronically propelled
two-wheeled devices designed to transport one person with a maximum
speed of less than 20 mph. In most states, Segways must follow the rules pertaining
to pedestrians while on roads and sidewalks, such as traveling on the left side of the road, facing traffic.
Some states have minimum age requirements for operators or mandate helmet use for certain ages. One state (New Jersey) requires
helmet use for all ages. No states require the operator of an
to be licensed. Segways are exempted from registration requirements.
To date, Segways have been classified as neither a motor vehicle nor a consumer product.
The Consumer Product Safety Commission issued a preliminary
opinion that they should be considered "consumer
products" and therefore not be regulated by the National Highway
Traffic Safety Administration. This designation may change if Segways or other similar electronic personal mobility devices become more common.
State |
Permitted on
Sidewalks/
Bicycle
Paths |
Permitted on
Roads |
Helmets
Required |
Minimum
Age |
Pedestrian
Laws Apply |
| Alabama |
Sidewalks and bicycle paths |
Yes, but municipalities may restrict on roads w/ speeds more than 25 mph |
|
|
|
| Alaska |
Sidewalks and bicycle paths |
Yes |
|
|
|
| Arizona |
Sidewalks |
Yes, if no sidewalks avail. |
|
16 |
Yes |
| Arkansas |
No statewide prohibitions--local regulations may exist. |
| California |
Sidewalks and bicycle paths, except where regulated by local jurisdiction |
Yes |
|
|
Yes |
| Colorado |
Has not yet enacted legislation affirmatively permitting Segway use on public ways. |
| Connecticut |
Has not yet enacted legislation affirmatively permitting Segway use on public ways.
|
| Delaware |
Sidewalks and bicycle paths |
Yes on highways w/ speed limits up to 30 mph |
<18 |
|
|
| D.C. |
Sidewalks (except in central business district) |
|
|
16 |
|
| Florida |
Sidewalks and bicycle paths |
Yes on streets w/ speed limits up to 25 mph |
<16 |
|
|
| Georgia |
Sidewalks |
Yes on streets w/ speed limits up to 35 mph and separate bike lanes |
<16 |
16 to use on highways |
Yes |
| Hawaii |
Sidewalks and bicycle paths |
|
|
16 |
|
| Idaho |
Sidewalks |
|
|
|
Yes |
| Illinois |
Sidewalks |
Yes |
|
|
Yes |
| Indiana |
Bicycle paths |
Yes |
|
|
|
| Iowa |
Sidewalks and bicycle paths |
|
|
16 |
|
| Kansas |
Sidewalks |
Yes |
|
|
Yes |
| Kentucky |
No statewide prohibitions--local regulations may exist. |
| Louisiana |
Sidewalks and bicycle paths |
Yes on highways w/ speeds up to 35 mph |
|
|
|
| Maine |
Sidewalks and bicycle paths |
Yes, on streets w/ speed limits up to 35
mph if no sidewalk or bicycle path avail. |
|
|
|
| Maryland |
Sidewalks and bicycle paths |
Yes on streets w/ speed limits up to 30 mph
if no sidewalk avail. |
<16 |
|
|
| Massachusetts |
Has not yet enacted legislation affirmatively permitting Segway use on public ways. |
| Michigan |
Sidewalks and bicycle paths |
Yes on streets w/ speed limits
up to 35 mph |
|
|
|
| Minnesota |
Sidewalks and bicycle paths |
Yes on streets w/ speed limits up to 35 mph
if no sidewalk avail. |
|
|
Yes |
| Mississippi |
Sidewalks and bicycle paths |
Yes on any streets where bicycles are permitted |
|
|
|
| Missouri |
Sidewalks and bicycle paths |
Yes on streets and highways w/ speed limits up to 45 mph |
|
16 |
Yes |
| Montana |
Sidewalks and bicycle paths |
Yes on roadways w/ speed limits up to 35 mph |
|
|
|
| Nebraska |
Sidewalks and bicycle paths |
Yes except on freeways and the interstate highway
system |
|
|
|
| Nevada |
Sidewalks and bicycle paths |
|
|
> |
Yes> |
| New Hampshire |
Sidewalks |
Yes |
|
|
Yes |
| New Jersey |
Sidewalks and bicycle paths |
Yes |
Yes |
16 |
|
| New Mexico |
Sidewalks and bicycle paths |
Yes |
<18 |
|
Yes |
| New York |
Sidewalks and bicycle paths |
Low speed roadways |
|
|
|
| North Carolina |
Sidewalks and bicycle paths |
Yes on streets w/ speed limits up to 25 mph |
|
|
Yes |
| North Dakota |
Has not yet enacted legislation affirmatively permitting Segway use on public ways. |
| Ohio |
Sidewalks unless marked for exclusive use of
pedestrians and bicycle paths |
Yes on streets w/ speed limits up to 55 mph |
<18 |
14 |
|
| Oklahoma |
Sidewalks, bicycle paths and walking trails |
Yes on roadways w/ speed limits up to 25 mph |
|
|
|
| Oregon |
Sidewalks and bicycle lanes and paths |
Yes on streets w/ speed limits up to 35 mph |
<16 |
16 |
Yes |
| Pennsylvania |
Sidewalks |
Yes but not on a freeway |
<12 |
|
|
| Rhode Island |
Sidewalks and bicycle paths |
Yes unless highway prohibits bicycles |
|
16 |
Yes |
| South Carolina |
Sidewalks and bicycle paths |
Yes if no sidewalk avail. |
|
|
Yes |
| South Dakota |
Sidewalks |
|
|
|
Yes |
| Tennessee |
Sidewalks and bicycle paths |
Yes |
|
|
|
| Texas |
Sidewalks and bicycle paths |
Yes on streets up to 30 mph and if no sidewalks
available |
|
|
|
| Utah |
Sidewalks and bicycle paths; pedestrians have right of way |
Yes on streets w/ speed limits up to 35 mph
and less than 4 lanes |
<18 |
16 |
|
| Vermont |
Sidewalks and bicycle paths |
|
|
16 |
Yes |
| Virginia |
Sidewalks |
Yes on streets w/ speed limits up to 25 mph
and if no sidewalk avail. |
<15 if by local ordinance |
14 |
Yes |
| Washington |
Sidewalks, trails and bicycle paths as determined by local governments |
|
|
|
Yes |
| West Virginia |
Sidewalks |
Yes |
|
|
Yes |
| Wisconsin |
Sidewalks |
Yes, however localities
may prohibit them on certain streets or on streets with
speed limits over 25 mph |
|
|
|
| Wyoming |
Has not yet enacted legislation affirmatively permitting Segway use on public ways. |
| Totals |
Laws Allowing Segways: 43 States + D.C.
No Laws Allowing Segways: 5 States (CO, CT, MA, ND, WY)
No Statewide Prohibitions: 2 States (AR, KY) |
Varies |
Varies |
Varies |
Varies |
