Plodding days over for Taupo cops

Taupo police have rolled out their new crime-fighting tool – two Segway scooters that can be used only in parks and on grass verges.

Two of the $13,500 scooters, bought by Taupo Moana Rotary Club, have been lent to police by Taupo Safer Community Trust for a 12-month trial.

It is the first time they have been used for police work in New Zealand. But under current law, the battery powered two-wheelers are unclassified vehicles and cannot be used on footpaths or roads.

Fines of up to $1000 can be imposed for using them on a road, or $150 on a footpath.

Taupo area commander Inspector Steve Bullock said the community policing unit would use the Segways, which have a top speed of 20kmh, in public parks and along the lake front. The first deployment would be at the Lake Taupo Cycle Challenge on November 28.

"They will never replace police on the beat, or in cars, but they will give us greater flexibility and access during big events," he said. "They will be huge help to be able move in and around big crowds.

"And they will be a bit of fun and generate a lot of interest with the public."

Transport Agency spokesman Andy Knackstedt said Taupo police had identified a range of uses for Segways that did not involve use on public roads or footpaths.

The agency and Transport Ministry were looking at a long-term approach that would give legal certainty to distributors and users.

Segway NZ manager Philip Bendall said the company classified Segways as "mobility devices". "To my knowledge, no-one in New Zealand has been fined for riding one on a road or footpath yet."

He hoped the Transport Agency would make a firm decision on their use on footpaths. The company had imported 250 Segways since 2003 for mail deliveries, hire and personal use, he said.

After completing several pirouettes and tight manoeuvres around bends, Constable Belinda Westerman gave the vehicles the thumbs up. "They are very easy to learn to ride," she said.

- © Fairfax NZ News