Commissioners in Chester County, Pennsylvania, have allocated $18

Commissioners in Chester County, Pennsylvania, have allocated $18 million for planning and revitalizing the county’s urban centers, consisting of the City of Coatesville and 12 boroughs. Planning grants of $75,000 are available, followed by $500,000 implementation grants. Much of the work involves urban design, streetscape improvements, transit connectivity, and brownfield/infill projects. The new urbanist firm Thomas Comitta Associates has been hired by three of the municipalities. 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.