ÖPIK GEARS UP SEGWAY CAMPAIGN (Montgomeryshire Liberal Democrats)

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Montgomeryshire Liberal Democrats <montlibdems@gmail.com>

ÖPIK GEARS UP SEGWAY CAMPAIGN

January 15, 2009 10:12 AM

Lembit Öpik, Liberal Democrat MP for Montgomeryshire, last night led a debate with the Minister for Transport over the legalisation of self-balancing personal transporters, commonly made by the company Segway, in the UK for use in cycle lanes.

Lembit's hope is that the adoption of self-balancing personal transporters will be part of the battle against climate change in reducing carbon emissions from transport.

Environmentally, Personal Transporters are in keeping with Government targets for carbon dioxide reductions. Personal transporters run on electricity and cause 16.6 g of CO2 per kilometre. While per passenger, a London Underground train produces three times as many carbon dioxide emissions, a small scooter four times as many and the average petrol-fuelled car more than eight times as many as a personal transporter.

Speaking during the debate last night, Lembit said:

"We must never forget that saving our planet will not be achieved through one giant leap by mankind, but rather through one small step after another by every man and woman. Let us take one more step today."

Lembit is due to meet with the Minister and other Department officials later this month to discuss the case for personal transporters further. Responding to Lembit's speech, the Minister concluded that the opportunity for the debate was very much welcomed. He added: "We do not have a closed mind and shall take a balanced view of the opportunities."

Ends/diwedd

Notes to editor:

For a full transcript of the debate please see http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200809/cmhansrd/cm090114/debtext/90114-0019.htm