Segway tour company seeks access to sidewalks

The owner of a Segway touring company in Summerside says the province is being asked to allow the personal transport devices on sidewalks and streets in that city as a test run.

Greg Weeks, owner of PEI Segway Tours, said provincial laws now restrict his business to the boardwalk in Summerside. He would like to see a pilot project which would allow him to offer heritage, architectural and cultural tours throughout the city.

Weeks argues the Segways are similar to other vehicles in use.

"Electric personal assisted mobility devices already operate on the sidewalks, and sometimes on the street on Prince Edward Island. The scooters or the electric wheelchairs, they're all the same," he said.

Weeks said the City of Summerside will be asking the province to approve the project.

Nova Scotia just launched a similar two-year, province-wide test run allowing Segways on sidewalks and streets.