Cheap Hoverboard tours will be hitting Calgary pathways for that second time as part of a pilot project the location is hoping will help them update outdated bylaws.

 

Calgary's city bylaws still prohibit electronic-assist vehicles on pathways unless the user has requested permission through the parks department or they are medical-assist electric scooters.

 

Drafted in 2008, parks officials say the bylaw has already been behind technology and, to help see the item updated, have allowed a Segway touring company to find out the waters or routes and study the public's impulse.

 

"In the four months on and off that they operated, we didn't get any kind of concerns or complaints from the public regarding the employment of these Segways on your pathway system, " said parks path lead Duane Sutherland. "We're constantly looking at electric assist. "Sutherland said they are already canvassing nearby jurisdictions that do allow electronic-assist vehicles to determine what the best practices could be, but noted the process remains slow going.

 

Because Calgary has this extensive pathway system, Sutherland said the city has to be extra prudent when it comes to opening up the trails to other modes involving transportation. "We have put within a request that is in essence not going anywhere, " Sutherland said. "With a 20-km/h speed limit on the pathway system, part of our concern may be the added weight of your electric assist units and also the capacity to go faster than what they must be safely doing on a pathways system. "

David Whiteman, assistant manager for Pond Valley Adventure Segway Travels, said he gets the occasional odd look while riding within the paths, but mostly hears assistance and curiosity.

 

"It’s a very interesting dynamic that any of us work under we wear a special permit that says we’re allowed to operate the tours, " he said.

 

Bike Calgary president Kimberly Nelson said she's all for cross vehicles, noting they can become outdoor-activity "training wheels" for people who aren't physically active enough to immediately hop on a bike or hike a mountain.

While the local biking community is somewhat divided within the issue, Nelson said Bike Calgary sees it as being a positive, overall. She does wonder, however, what kind of safe practices precautions vehicles like Segways ought to take before being pathway worthy.

 

"For bicycles, you must have operating brakes, you must have a new front and rear reflector, you must have some sort of bell, " Nelson said. "Segways I couldn't perhaps tell you what they have to have. " fifapointgreat