Electric Unicycle NYC - Laws

[mindvirus]

Hiya,

I came here to ask about the laws for using an electric unicycle in NYC. The city is full of electric skateboards and electric bikes (the latter of which I believe are banned), so I don't know that anyone actually cares:

In particular, for New York City:

- Are you allowed to ride them on the sidewalk?

- In practice, have you encountered any trouble?

I've ridden my EU past police officers many times, and never gotten any trouble, so I can't imagine that they care too much.

When searching on the subject, I found these:

http://dmv.ny.gov/registration/motorized-devices-cannot-be-registered-new-york This is specific to New York State, and covers more powerful motorized vehicles - dirt bikes, go-carts, etc.

https://aglr.wordpress.com/2012/03/25/the-new-york-city-segway-a-hiccup-in-the-vehicle-and-traffic-law/ Talking about Segways being banned in NYC.

http://www.greencarreports.com/news/1084757_nyc-bans-electric-bikes-again-launches-bike-sharing-system More on e-bikes being banned.

Thanks!

[Citi Wheel]

This is what I've found.

http://ypdcrime.com/vt/article34c.htm#t1271

 

If you go to S1271 article 2b, it mentions that operating electric personal assistive mobility devices, which I think applies to EU, is prohibited is a city with a population more than 1,000,000 people. I have had a lot of cops talk to me about my EU but just out of curiosity, and not about using it on the sidewalk. I think at most they may ask you to get off it and walk. I feel like a cop would have to be having a real bad day to give you a ticket over it.

[techflyjy]

I think we might need to ride low profile here, ride safely and acceptable speed in the city. Don't wanna give city a excuse ban our EUC officially.
But according the document, In theory riding a EUC is illegal in NYC, right?
 

[Cloud]

This is what I've found.

http://ypdcrime.com/vt/article34c.htm#t1271

 

If you go to S1271 article 2b, it mentions that operating electric personal assistive mobility devices, which I think applies to EU, is prohibited is a city with a population more than 1,000,000 people. I have had a lot of cops talk to me about my EU but just out of curiosity, and not about using it on the sidewalk. I think at most they may ask you to get off it and walk. I feel like a cop would have to be having a real bad day to give you a ticket over it.

interesting, what would be the definition of electric personal assistive mobility device? Does this mean electric cars are banned in NYC?)

[Citi Wheel]

interesting, what would be the definition of electric personal assistive mobility device? Does this mean electric cars are banned in NYC?)

Good point. I looked into the exact definition of a EPAMD and it does not seem like this definition applies to electric unicycles. Here's what I found.

 

http://www.humantransport.org/bicycledriving/library/segway/Segway.htm

G.S. 20-4.01(49)…Vehicle. - Every device in, upon, or by which any person or property is or may be transported or drawn upon a highway, excepting devices moved by human power or used exclusively upon fixed rails or tracks; provided, that for the purposes of this Chapter bicycles shall be deemed vehicles and every rider of a bicycle upon a highway shall be subject to the provisions of this Chapter applicable to the driver of a vehicle except those which by their nature can have no application. This term shall not include a device which is designed for and intended to be used as a means of transportation for a person with a mobility impairment, or who uses the device for mobility enhancement, is suitable for use both inside and outside a building, including on sidewalks, and is limited by design to 15 miles per hour when the device is being operated by a person with a mobility impairment, or who uses the device for mobility enhancement. This term shall not include an electric personal assistive mobility device as defined in G.S. 20-4.01(7a)."

 

So then I looked up the definition in section G.S.20-4.01 (7a)

http://www.ncleg.net/enactedlegislation/statutes/html/bysection/chapter_20/gs_20-4.01.html

(7a)      Electric Personal Assistive Mobility Device. - A self-balancing nontandem two-wheeled device, designed to transport one person, with a propulsion system that limits the maximum speed of the device to 15 miles per hour or less.

 

There may be another law pertaining to EU's however, as johnnc415 said on this forum that a police officer told him once that the EU was illegal in NYC.

 

Th