Soon US pedestrians will have to share their

Soon US pedestrians will have to share their limited sidewalk space with the Segway scooter. The Washington Post reports that four months after the much ballyhooed scooter was unveiled, 20 states have passed laws allowing its use on sidewalks. Another 16 states and the District of Columbia were scheduled to take up the issue by the end of 2002. Public safety advocates are concerned about possible injury to pedestrians, however. The scooter weighs 70 to 95 pounds, can carry a person up to 250 pounds, and a payload of up to 75 pounds, for a total potential weight of more that 400 pounds. The motorized vehicle can travel up to 12.5 mph, and many argue that it is not as maneuverable as a bicycle — which is relegated to the roadway.