You couldn't make it up!
 

From "The Express" (British newspaper) 15th January, 2011.[attachment=0:2a4xgja1]Untitled-1.jpg[/attachment:2a4xgja1]

Re: You couldn't make it up!
 

The way they're using the term "pavement" in the story, I am guessing that's a Britishism for sidewalk, as opposed to street. In the USA there is no consensus yet among states, cities, and towns as to whether Segways are legal on the sidewalk, the street, neither, both, in malls, and so forth. Here in NH they are, but when I rented one in Lake Placid NY I was told I would have to stay on the street. Helmets are also mandatory in NY state, but not in NH. Of course the beast originated in NH, and the inventor lives here, so that probably makes a difference.

It will likely be quite a few years, if ever, before the status of these vehicles is really sorted out. It probably won't help that they are developing an enclosed version that looks like a two wheeled car.

Your story is not unusual here in this country.

Re: You couldn't make it up!
 

They started out legal everywhere in Chicago but they've gradually been banned from areas where people have been annoyed by them. Still relatively more legal here than NYC. Personally, I doubt they will ever overcome the dork factor to become mainstream.