City Council Bans Segways, Other Scooters Along Venice Boardwalk

LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com) — The Los Angeles City Council voted Tuesday to ban the use of Segways and other similar electric and hybrid personal vehicles or scooters along the Venice Beach boardwalk.

The 14-0 vote comes on the heels of several accidents along the boardwalk reportedly caused by the two-wheeled, electric vehicles, which are operated with the user standing upright.

The ordinance drafted in May by the City Attorney's office (PDF) restricts the use of "electric personal assistive motorized devices" as defined in California Vehicle Code Section 313, as well as hybrid, multiple-wheeled motorized scooters or hybrid, multiple-wheeled motorized-type devices.

The ordinance exempts peace officers and those with disabilities and still allows for Segways and similar vehicles to be driven on bike paths.

Mayor Eric Garcetti is expected to sign off on the proposal.

City Council members first took up the issue after an elderly woman was seriously injured on June 10 by another female riding a Segway in front of a store on Ocean Front Walk. The victim was hospitalized and underwent an emergency hip replacement operation.

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