A question - I work in downtown DC, in a section designated the Central Business District. I have had REPEATED close calls with tour groups on Segways. I've consulted a couple of people in the DC government who say that Segways are not allowed on the sidewalks in this section. However ... the Segway tours continue and, when I commented to one tour group leader that they aren't allowed, he insisted that they are (he did manage not to run me over, for which I'm grateful, but ...). Any suggestions on how to pursue it - I'd have been happy to just have the damn tour groups pay attention to pedestrians (and people in wheelchair who need the curb cuts). But if they're not allowed on the sidewalks and continue to run on them, endangering ME, what should I do?

I've contacted the manager of the mayor's pedestrian safety program, the local police district, the chief of police, the mayor's office, and my home councilman. No luck so far, though.

Dang Todd! You've spoken to everyone I would have done. No love? That's not on.

Next stop? City Paper, 7 on Your Side or other media outlets. Play up the economic risk the city faces in the case of pedestrian casualties.

Hmmm, don't have anything to say, but looking at pretty boys and girls always makes me feel better.

Yum! I want one with boys in eyeliner.

bonny, I'm wondering if (a) someone has decided that the tourist dollars are important enough to waive enforcement or (b) someone's been paid off (or both). I've been thinking of getting either the City Paper or Mark Fisher at the Post (he LOVES taking off on issues like this), but was holding that as a last resort. I'm hoping Jim Graham can do something - he's pretty responsive to constituents. Meanwhile, I am absolutely CONSUMED with rage over this - they are just so SMUG about being able to practically run people down on the sidewalk, with no one to tell them no. And, for the record, the finala straw for me was having two close calls in a row just a couple of days after seeing a large group block a curb cut and leave a man in a wheelchair stranded in traffic. stabbity stabbity stabbity!

Here's your regulation:

18 DCMR Sec. 1201.9

There shall be no prohibition against any person riding a bicycle upon a sidewalk within the District, so long as the rider does not create a hazard; Provided, that no person shall ride a bicycle upon a sidewalk within the Central Business District except on those sidewalks expressly designated by Order of the Mayor, nor shall any person ride a bicycle upon a sidewalk in any area outside of the Central Business District if it is expressly prohibited by Order of the Mayor and appropriate signs to such effect are posted.

You can complain to the Segway office at: 202-626-0017.

or: 624 9th Street, NW Washington, DC 20001

Organize a picket outside of the office? Maybe pass out a flyer or two hundred to people coming for the tour?

What I would LOVE to have happen is the cops start ticketing every single person in the tour - which is not likely to happen.

And I don't know if contacting the office would help - the manager of the pedestrian safety program said he'd contacted the managers of the various Segway tour companies AND when I commented to the tour leader that they weren't allowed on the sidewalk, he said that they were.

Once I calm down a little - having had it confirmed that they AREN'T allowed - I'm going to contemplate the next step.

a large group block a curb cut

I've seen this! And they do seem to have a smug, aren't we cute thing going. Not helped by the OTHER tourons taking pictures of them like they are some sort of local attraction. Maddening.

Agh. The bicycles on the sidewalks in my 'hood are also uber-irksome. Especially on Independence. Okay, I get that Independence is the wrong way when you want to head downtown but DUDE, A Street? Right. Over. There. Not that far out of your freaking way.

It especially boils my buns when riders come at breakneck speed and give me grief for having a dog 'that might run into them.' I got into a 'get off that bike and say that' fight with a bastard on the sidewalk not long ago.

I just want to scream, "Civility. Look into it!" And yes, I get the irony...believe me.

Back from the dentist - my teeth are all nice and clean. And that crown that I thought chipped off? That was no crown - that was my tooth! It just broke off. And without pain. WTF?

So, now I need to come up with the deductable for the fillings which is MUCH MUCH less $$$ than if I had to replace a crown. So relieved and a little freaked out all at once.

If it makes you feel any better, the last time I was down town, I saw a woman totally wipe out on her segway. out of nowhere, she just lost control and hit the deck. I tried not to laugh, but a giggle did escape.

bonny, yes the bicyclists are also annoying ... we get the messengers near my office, and they're a hazard. But at least they're usually alone and they have some control over the bicycles (and they really don't want to hit anyone - it'd slow them down!).