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PERSONAL MOBILITY DEVICES (PMD): EVALUATING THEIR ROLE IN PEDESTRIAN ENVIRONMENTS Victoria Transport Policy Institute
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Managing Personal Mobility Devices (PMDs)
On Nonmotorized Facilities
26 July 2006

By

Todd Litman
Victoria Transport Policy Institute

Robin Blair
Los Angeles MTA




Abstract
This paper explores the appropriate way to manage nonmotorized facilities (sidewalks,
bikelanes, paths and trails), taking into account the increasingly diverse range of potential
activities and modes, including various mechanical Personal Mobility Devices (PMDs) such as
scooters, bicycles, and Segways. It examines various types of activities and modes that may
use nonmotorized facilities, discusses potential conflicts among these uses, describes general
principles for managing nonmotorized facility use, and describes appropriate planning,
management and education strategies for minimizing problems.


A version of this paper was published as,
Todd Litman, Managing Diverse Modes and Activities on Nonmotorized Facilities: Guidance for Practitioners,
ITE Journal, Vol. 76, No. 6 (
www.ite.org
), June 2006, pp. 20-27. Managing PMDs On Nonmotorized Facilities
2
Introduction
In theory, it should be simple to determine where each mode should operate: Pedestrian should
use nonmotorized facilities (walkways, sidewalks, paths and trails), and wheeled vehicles should
use roadways. But in practice it can be difficult. By custom and law, sidewalks and paths already
accommodate certain wheeled devices, including wheelchairs, skates and sometimes bicycles,
and users of an increasing variety of modes are requesting permission to operate on
nonmotorized facilities, including Personal Mobility Devices (PMDs) (small wheeled devices
that provide personal mobility such as wheelchairs, skateboards and skates) and Electric
Personal Assistive Mobility Devices (EPAMDs), such as those illustrated in Figure 1.

Figure 1
Electric Personal Assistive Mobility Devices





Seated Electric Scooter
Standing Electric Scooter
Segway Human Transporter


It can be difficult to categorize these devices since they have diverse features and uses. For
example, there are many incremental steps from a pedestrian, to a pedestrian using a walker, to a
human powered wheelchair, to a powered wheelchair, to an electric scooter, to an electric cart, to
a gasoline-powered cart, to a small car. It is often unclear how a particular device should be
classified and the rules it should follow.

These devices provide benefits by increasing peoples mobility and substituting for automobile
travel, but they can create new problems such as congestion and risks to other nonmotorized
facility users (Goodridge, 2003). They are becoming more numerous, diverse, and powerful. An
increasing portion has mechanical propulsion, and new facility design practices to accommodate
wheelchairs allow PMDs to attain higher speeds. As a result, the potential for conflicts among
nonmotorized facility users is growing. The introduction of the Segway and lobbying by its
manufacturer to allow its use on sidewalks has raised concerns by some advocacy groups that
PMDs will endanger and crowd out other facility users. As a result there is growing debate over
where such devices should be used and the rules they should follow (ADONIS, 1999).

It is therefore increasingly important for transport planners and public officials to decide how
nonmotorized facilities should be managed, including where and when specific modes and
activities should be allowed, the rules each should follow, and how such rules should be
promoted and enforced. This paper investigates theses issues and identifies principles and
strategies suitable for managing nonmotorized facilities, particularly with regard to PMDs. Managing PMDs On Nonmotorized Facilities
3

Defining Nonmotorized Facilities And Their Uses
Nonmotorized facilities include walkways and paths, some of which are intended primarily for
pedestrians, and others that are intentionally multi-modal, as summarized in Table 1.

Table 1 Nonmotorized
Facilities
Pedestrian Oriented
Multi-Modal
Hallways (inside buildings).
Walkways (outside buildings).
Courtyards
Sidewalks
Small paths.
Multi-use paths and trails.
Pedestrianized streets.
Bike lanes (incorporated into streets).
Bicycle boulevards (streets designed to favor cycling, and limit
automobile traffic volumes and speeds).
This table lists various types of nonmotorized facilities.


There are many types of nonmotorized facility modes and activities, including some that can be
considered pedestrians and some that are considered Personal Mobility Devices, as
summarized in Table 2.

Table 2
Nonmotorized Facility Users
Pedestrians
Personal Mobility Devices
Human
People standing (viewing, talking, etc.)
People sitting on benches and sidewalk café tables.
People walking (alone and in groups).
People playing games (e.g., tag, ball games, etc.).
People using mobility aides (walkers and rollators).
Pedestrians with strollers, handcarts and baggage.
Joggers and runners (alone and in groups).

Multi-Species
Pedestrians with pets.
Equestrians.

Other Sidewalk Activities
Sidewalk vending.
Panhandling.
Human-powered
Hand-powered wheelchairs.
Skaters and roller blades.
Skateboards.
Push scooters.
Bicycles.
Bicycles with trailers.
Pogo sticks.

Motorized
Electric powered bikes.
Motorized wheelchairs.
Electric powered scooters.
Gasoline powered scooters.
Segway-type scooters.
This table lists various types of nonmotorized facility users.
Managing PMDs On Nonmotorized Facilities
4
Legal and Legislative Status
Laws governing Personal Mobility Device use vary as summarized in Table 3. Forty states and
several municipal governments have passed legislation regulating PMD use, often in response to
Segway lobbying efforts. Most include a definition of EPAMDs (such as An Electric Personal
Assistive Mobility Device is a self-balancing two non tandem wheeled device designed to
transport only one person with an electric propulsion system with an average power of 750 watts
(one horsepower), whose maximum speed on a paved level surface is less than 20 m.p.h.), and
allow their use on sidewalks. Some include special provisions and restrictions, such as helmet
requirements, or restrictions on operating speed and age.

Table 3
Selected PMD Legal Status (Various Sources)
Jurisdiction Status
Special
Features
Allowed on
sidewalks
& paths
Allowed
on
Roads
Helmets
Required
Min.
Age
European
Union
Uncertified and
therefore illegal
as a vehicle
(Bergeijk, 2003).
Allowed on sidewalks up to 6 km/hr. Will require
certification as a vehicle (probably as a moped) to be
allowed on roads. Segway organization is trying to change
the classification system.
If less
than 6
km/hr.
No
France and
Italy
Allowed on
sidewalks, not
roads.
May be used on sidewalks at 6 kilometer-per-hour
maximum.
If less
than 6
km/hr.
No
States






Alabama
HB128
Municipalities may prohibit EPAMD use on public
highways where the speed limit is greater than 25 mph, but
shall not otherwise restrict the operation.
Yes Yes No No
Arizona
Senate Bill 1193 A person who uses an electric personal assistive mobility
device or a manual or motorized wheelchair is considered a
pedestrian unless the manual wheelchair qualifies as a
bicycle.
Yes Yes No 16
California
SB 1918, signed
into law
September, 2002.
Requires a sound-making device, reflectors and use of lights
during night. EPAMD use may be restricted by local
ordinance.
Yes yes No No
Florida
Chapter 316.2068 A person who is under the age of 16 years is required to
wear a bicycle helmet while operating an EPAMD. A
county or municipality may prohibit the operation of
EPAMD on any road, street, or bicycle path under its
jurisdiction if the governing body determines that such a
prohibition is necessary in the interest of safety.
Yes Yes Yes 16
Georgia
Senate Bill 37,
passed 2003
Electric personal assistive mobility devices may be operated
on highways and on sidewalks where a 48 inch clear path is
maintained for access for persons with disabilities, provided
that any person operating such a device shall have the same
rights and duties as prescribed for pedestrians.
yes yes no 16
Illinois
Public Act 92-
0868
Every person operating an electric personal assistive
mobility device upon a sidewalk or roadway has all the
rights and is subject to all the duties applicable to a
pedestrian. Allows local governments to regulate use.
8 mph on
sidewalks.
Yes No No
Maryland
HB 869, effective
Oct. 2002
A person may not operate an EPAMD on any roadway
where there are sidewalks adjacent to the roadway or the
posted maximum s