Should the Segway Personal Transporter be allowed on busy sidewalks in Waikiki? Or should it be treated like a bicycle or motorized scooters allowed only on roadways?

There's no simple answer.

The Segway, a unique, two-wheeled scooter a rider stands on as it moves, can reach speeds up to 12 miles per hour. On a crowded sidewalk that can mean trouble.

But at slower speeds, the Segway can stop on a dime, pivot in place and generally behave in a more controlled manner than a bicycle.

There don't appear to have been any serious accidents involving Segways in Hawai'i.

But in response to complaints from those who fear it's only a matter of time, the Waikiki Neighborhood Board is expected to discuss the issue May 13. It's a good idea.

As Segways become more popular it makes sense for the stakeholders — the public and the private businesses who promote the Segway — to come to an understanding about how the scooters fit into the Waikiki environment.

The law allows Segways to move as fast as eight miles per hour — about three times as fast as someone walking— on sidewalks and bicycle paths.

It has an age requirement, 16 or older, and other rules such as requiring the rider to yield to pedestrians and warning them audibly. These sensible rules will only be effective if they are respected by Segway riders and understood by pedestrians.

Alan Rice, owner of Segway of Hawaii, says that riding a Segway is "not much different than jogging." He also points out that tourists who rent his Segways receive safety training, move through Waikiki as part of an organized tour group and travel single-file at about 3 mph.

It's this kind of willingness to self-regulate that will help the public grow more comfortable with Segways. The result, it's hoped, will be to avoid the bitter, community-dividing debates that too often substitute for honest public discussion.