New Haven Independent

Posted by: Deuce | August 1, 2008 11:17 AM

"cruises down the sidewalk on his two-wheeled electric vehicle"

That's going to piss off a lot of bicyclists.

Posted by: DingDong | August 1, 2008 11:38 AM

Are you allowed to ride those things on the sidewalk?

Posted by: 2Unique4U | August 1, 2008 12:15 PM

Deuce;

My comment exactly. Here's the sidewalk regulation from New Haven's Code of Ordinances:

Sec. 29-10. Vehicles on sidewalks.
"No person shall drive, wheel or draw any coach, cart, handcart, wheelbarrow, bicycle, or other vehicle of burden or pleasure, whether of the same description or not, except children's hand carriages drawn by hand, or permit any horse under his care to go or stand upon any sidewalk or footpath in the streets or public squares of said city, except going in or out of driveways."
(Code 1928, § 751; Traffic Reg. of 7-7-52, § 10)

Although not specifically mentioned, I believe this includes Segways.

Posted by: Stupid Novelty | August 1, 2008 12:36 PM

How about ride the segway to work from Branford instead of the SUV and then do some of that good old fashioned walking on city sidewalks.
These things don't stand a chance of making it passed novelty.
By the way, they've existed for years, they're called electric wheel chairs. You just don't have to admit being physically unfit to walk in one of these.

Posted by: Fedupwithliberals | August 1, 2008 2:35 PM

The ultimate hybrid!

Posted by: Near Miss | August 1, 2008 3:31 PM

If it weren't for my wonderful real estate agent, Mr. Sessa could have used his Segway to "cruise" over to my house for a foreclosure. He was working for Washington Mutual back in 2002 when I was a 28 year old young woman buying my first house in New Haven. I had made the offer for my house and choose Washington Mutual to process the final mortgage, although I had approval from a number of banks. After weeks of "processing", unreturned phone calls, multiple visits to his office and a great deal of anxiety about maybe losing the house because my loan wasn't going through for reasons no one would explain he offered that the "only possible" mortgage for me was one of those now-famous sub-prime mortgages. He told me my credit score wasn't good enough. It turns out that they spent all those weeks running my credit report multiple times to drag down my score so that I wouldn't qualify for a regular loan. I learned this when a reputable banker finally helped me buy my house with a fixed-rate 15 year loan at 5%. Thank god for my real estate agent who intervened. I could have been one of the hundreds of people in this city who fell victim to dishonest bankers and mortgage lenders.

Posted by: Uncle Nunzio | August 1, 2008 4:48 PM

Don't people walk anymore?

And it's not "green" to be plugging in those re-chargeable batteries. Obviously, the electricity to charge has to come from somewhere. And since all those NIMBYs and hippies don't want Nuclear Power Plants, the electricity is probably coming from some horribly polluting coal-burning power plant.

Posted by: Nelly Bly2 | August 1, 2008 8:41 PM

To Mr. Novelty

Segway uses must be able to stand. Even back in 1928 they had wheelchairs and they were allowed on the sidewalks. (PS, Mr.2unique4U, that's covered by the American with Disabilities Actn in case you're worried.)

Now there are manual w/c, power operated vehichles, those scooter you see around with the basket in the front and then Power Wheel chairs. Anyone with a medical reason for using a power wheelchair wouldn't be able to use a segway. They are not medically necessary.
I believe that as a sport that originated in Scotland, you walked from hole to hole. Same go for exercising, carry of have a caddy carry your clubs and walk it. My dad would have been putting his golf bag on tripod device w/wheels and moving himself from Tee to Tee.

I remember when scooters were used by children to push off on one foot. Now we have skateboards and Scooters for the older generation.

Posted by: Ditto | August 1, 2008 9:46 PM

Near Miss, you make me feel lucky. When he and his staff were processing my mortgage application, Harry Sessa was incompentent, pushy, scatter-brained and obnoxious, but at least he didn't try to ruin my credit or scam me (or at least as far as I know!). I'm glad you were able to find someone you could trust!

Posted by: Walt | August 2, 2008 8:32 AM

They should ticket Sessa and also the law-ignoring cyclists like those who comment in the Independent.

Confiscate their vehicles as they are doing to the dirt-bikes.

Then auction them off.

Posted by: William Kurtz | August 2, 2008 5:13 PM

Great suggestion, Walt. I will support that. Of course, to be fair, the same rules will apply to motorists, right?

Posted by: Walt | August 3, 2008 5:59 AM

Sure.

I get p.o.'ed by the blatant claims by the bicyclists that they have a right to ignore any law they do not like.

Never heard a car driver make similar claims although many obviously do drive unsafely.

On another note, although I support the new actions re dirt bikes, I wonder what gives the cops the right to go into someone's garage to seize a dirt bike, as they are apparently doing, just based on an anonymous phone call?

Posted by: William Kurtz | August 3, 2008 7:26 AM

I don't blame you, Walt. I'm a cyclist as well as a driver and a claim that anyone had the right to ignore a law he didn't like would annoy me, too.

I suspect you don't often hear motorists make claims like that because their 'right' to break 'minor' traffic laws goes largely unchallenged and its exercise is largely invisible. For example, how often have we heard someone say, "well, sure; the speed limit on the highway is 65 but the cops don't stop anyone below 75. And if you get a ticket, you can just go to court and have it reduced." As a society, we accept a certain level of lawlessness and the danger that goes with it.

So when we're driving in our cars, we don't notice the person who's 10 or 15 miles over the speed limit on the highway. His ignoring of the law is invisible to us. In fact, we're likely to accuse the person obeying the posted limit of holding up traffic. And of course, the guy going 120 m.p.h. is a reckless fool.

The difference with a person on a bike? For one thing, he's unlikely to be speeding. But when you see someone on a bicycle roll up to a stop light, look both ways, see that there is no cross-traffic in sight and no pedestrians in the way, and then roll through the light before it turns green, you're not necessarily seeing someone who believes he has a 'right' to ignore the law. Rather, you're probably seeing someone who behavior is based on the actual risk of the likely consequences and on a different way of perceiving the world.

Yes, there is a fair amount of reckless behavior on the part of cyclists. But here's an idea: let's talk about the bicyclists who run red lights without looking (there are a few), or ride against traffic or on the sidewalk in the same breath as the outlaw drivers who blow stop signs and red lights and weave through traffic, and not in the same breath as safe, responsible cyclists and drivers. In other words, the central division here isn't between "cyclists" and "drivers" but between "safe road users" and "reckless road users."

Posted by: robn | August 3, 2008 8:47 AM

Walt

Sec. 29-131 through 29-133 of the ordinances of New Haven ban motorized vehicles from streets (and sidewalks), excluding motorcycles, mopeds, wheelchairs, snowplows, lawn mowers or electric chairs.

If someone is reported to have violated this law, the police are allowed to sieze the vehicle pending legal resolution. Sec 29-133(e) I can't find a legal explaination anywhere, but my assuption is that an anonymous phone call is probable cause for a police search.

http://www.municode.com/resources/gateway.asp?pid=11090&sid=7

Posted by: Walt | August 3, 2008 3:57 PM

I can see call as probable cause for a warrant to be issued, but for warrantless search ????

Posted by: HARRY SESSA | August 3, 2008 6:00 PM

First off this article was supposed to be about doing business in New Haven utilizing the Segway .. Given the fact that our industry is under a microscope these days I will address my comments accordingly.
In my career I have originated thousands of home loans. My team has received numerous awards for excellence in customer service from Great Western, Washington Mutual and Bank of America, most recently.

Sarah is an ambitiuous reporter with excellent intention who wrote a great article about a local businessman who believes in alternative urban transportation. I have owned 3 hybryd automobiles and I actually do care about my families' carbon footprint. To the best of my knowledge not one of my clients has had a home forclosed on. I never have used the Segway to go to a meeting regarding a forclosure. This may be the youthful reporter's interpretation of the financial segment of the econmomy these days but I never discussed this aspect with her during the interview and her statement is misleading and at best, inaccurate.
As far as the indivudual (unnamed) who acuesed me of placing them in a "sub prime " loan. The likely scenario is that there was boarderline credit and the fact that Wamu agreed to do the loan a result of a detailed analysis was to offer a program alternative which provided an oppotunity to get them into a home when other lenders would have turned them away. If the individual made payments on time after the Wamu loan they would have gained the opportunity to refnamce with a conventional rate with another lender. There are many many area Realtors who we have worked with who will disagree with these comments.
My understanding is New Haven has an ordinance allowing Segways to ride on the sidewalk as a result of a disability case. On a personal note, I have had 3 knee surgeries and have several herniated discs. This is why Segaway is a great alternavie to walking for me as well playing golf.
Thank you all for your comments on the Segway. My intention in agreeing to the article was to bring attention to this great means of avoiding the need for automobiles in many in an urban setting. Nothing more,nothing less. To the individual(s)who feel they could have done better with there home loans elsewhere : All I can say is thank you to the other 6,000 others who were very happy with the service I provided over the past 20 years.. Best Wishes to all and happy riding ( buy a Segway and make folks smile ) .., HS

Posted by: HARRY SESSA | August 4, 2008 8:12 AM

p. s. The SUV I referred to on the video is a Hybrid - go greener ! www.harrysessa.com

Posted by: Walt | August 4, 2008 8:51 AM

Mr Sessa got a free commercial out of this anyway.

If Mr Sessa is handicapped, I apologize.

Suggest he check, if he is not handicapped, as to the real law, and if it really exists. clarify whether it permits non-handicapped folks as well as handicapped to ride on the sidewalks, endangering others.

Non-handicapped people taking their dogs into supermarkets, or parking in the handicap- reserved spots are pretty lowlife as I see it.

If that is what Mr. Sessa is doing he should stop, or be arrested.

Posted by: HARRY SESSA | August 4, 2008 11:24 AM

to Walt : yes Walter, unfortuneately I do have a walking disability and a registered handicap drivers certificate as well. After 3 knee surgeries I am unable to walk long distances without pain and the Segway helps considerably in this regard. I should have made this more clear to the reporter, however I agreed to the interview to promote this kind of user friendly gas saving transportaiton in New Haven for able riders as well. Training and safety come first certainly and I have an insurance liability policy ( voluntary ) just like the driver of any motor vehicle. This is very important. Thank you for the opportunitty to clarify this ..HS

Posted by: robn | August 4, 2008 1:06 PM

...I earlier wrote "electric chairs" but that passage, Section 29-131 (7) of the Ordinances states that the following vehicles are allowed...

...Any electric personal assistive mobility device (hereinafter "EPAMD") that is self-balancing, has two (2) non-tandem wheeled devices, is designed to transport only one (1) person, and has an electric propulsion system that limits the maximum speed of the device to twelve and one-half (12.5) miles per hour or less....

Use of these devices doesn't appear to be restricted to physically disabled persons.

Posted by: amazed | August 5, 2008 4:14 PM

First, I find it remarkable that not one person has had a positive comment about the use of the Segway as an alternative form of transportation. Maybe we need more bike routes in the streets, as the one on Orange Street, to create a safe and legal route for such alternatives. As far as Harry Sessa and his team at Bank of America, I can only speak from experience after experience with Harry Sessa going above and beyond to work with me, a real estate agent in New Haven and my buyers in the home mortgage process. The service and professionalism has been superb. Harry and his team have been available to respond to questions late in the night, on vacations, and during normal businees hours. They provide a variety of options to clients, work quickly, and I have not had one deal fall apart, and we have always closed on time. Harry Sessa has provided nothing but top of the line service to my buyers, not a complaint have I heard on countless loans. Enjoy the Segway Harry! Maybe a positive drivng route can come about instead of negative energy.

Posted by: Walt | August 5, 2008 5:11 PM

Harry Sessa

Thanks for the clarification.

Although I am lucky enough to have no handicap, those who use needed handicap special priveleges, without need, and there are many of them , really bug me,

Posted by: Ray Baldelli | August 5, 2008 5:42 PM

Harry,

Great fun with Segway! And what a way to introduce people to your creativeness and energy. You've certainly been praised for that by my clients in obtaining their mortgages... always professional and giving of your time -- making a complicated process easy whenever possible. So, good luck; good fortune.

Posted by: EOppie | August 18, 2008 12:03 AM

Here is a better Law and Mr. Sessa, I will be gliding with you in New Haven beginning tomorrow :-) According to All-Ride, they treat my segway on shoreline east as a bicycle....we will see how that goes.

(d) It shall be unlawful for any person to operate an EPAMD and/or for any owner of an EPAMD to knowingly permit the operation of his/her EPAMD on any street in the City of New Haven, provided, however, an EPAMD may be operated on any public sidewalk and/or crosswalk in the city. An operator of an EPAMD shall yield to pedestrians and any wheelchair or similar mobility assisting device as defined in section 22-119(4) above and shall comply with any applicable State of Connecticut laws or regulations.