Ask the Mayor: Segway Tours in Historic Lahaina Town?

Segway. Maui Now stock photo. June 2016.

Mayor Alan Arakawa answers some of the questions submitted to his office staff.

Submit your own questions about County of Maui programs, services, operations or policies to Mayor Alan Arakawa via email at AskTheMayor@mauicounty.gov, call 270-7855 or send them by mail to 200 S. High St., 9th Floor, Wailuku, HI 96793. Questions submitted will be considered for inclusion in the “Ask the Mayor” column.

Hello,

Q: Why do we have Segway tours in historic Lahaina Town? They travel on busy sidewalks, get in the way of traffic and are just tacky.

A: According to current laws, it is permissible for the Segway tours to be conducted in the Lahaina Historic District as long as payments for the tours, other transactions and all safety briefings take place outside the Historic District.

Hawai‘i Revised Statute §291C-134.5 states that an electric personal assistive mobility device (EPAMD) operator, such as a person renting a Segway or participating in a Segway tour, must be 16 years or older.

The maximum forward speed must be set at no more than 8 mph, and on a sidewalk or bicycle path the operator of an EPAMD shall “exercise due care to avoid colliding with, and shall yield the right-of-way to, persons traveling on foot and those using mobility aids.”

The operator also shall give an audible signal before overtaking and passing a pedestrian, and must not operate an EPAMD recklessly in disregard for the safety of persons or property.