Police Segways unusable

Taupo police area commander Inspector Steve Bullock tries out one of the Segways. Photo / Alan Gibson.

Taupo's mayor says he had no alternative but to stop the police using two Segway vehicles because of legal issues.

Two $20,000 Segways were made available to officers on patrol but the machines had been "languishing in a police station gathering dust" for more than a year after officials ruled they could not be used.

Mayor Rick Cooper says he had no alternative but to get rid of them. Area commander Inspector Steve Bullock said there was no classification for Segways and they fell into the motor vehicles category - which meant they had to meet requirements such as being registered to be allowed on the road.