Men Riding Segways

Segway Laws

November 2009

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.

  • 43 States and the District of Columbia have enacted legislation allowing use of Segways.
  • 5 States (CO, CT, MA, ND and WY) have no legislation permitting the use of Segways.
  • 2 States (AR and KY) have no statewide prohibitions against Segways, but local regulations may exist.

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

Sources: Segway LLC and State Highway Safety Offices.