The discussion papers say the safety of Segways is "about equivalent" to the safety of cycling and asks whether riders should be allowed to use them on paths and roads, like bike riders, or whether they should be allowed only in pedestrian areas.

At the moment, Segways can only be used when they're hired from a commercial lakeside operator and used on the central basin of Lake Burley Griffin. SegGlideRide has an exemption from the normal rules, which treat Segways like motorbikes and impose big penalties for using them on public land, treating them as unregistered motorbikes.

The discussion paper asks whether the current system should be maintained when the SegGlideRide exemption expires next month or whether use should be allowed more broadly.

The discussion paper points to concerns about the safety of pedestrians, with Segways weighing from 18.5kg to 55kg and measuring as wide as 85cm. They travel at up to about 20km/h.

But it says as far as pedestrians are concerned, Segways pose a similar risk to the risk posed by joggers and wheelchairs and less than the risk posed by bicycles. While there have been injuries and fatalities, a Canadian study in which 143 riders rode an average of about 63km each on footpaths, bicycle paths and roadway shoulders resulted in no serious injuries.

Since January 2013, Canberra's Segway operator had submitted about 18 incident reports, mostly resulting in grazes, cuts and bruises, with three "more serious" incidents.

Segway performance was similar to bicycles, with similar speed, manoeuvrability and braking in dry weather, and little training needed to handle them, according to the paper.

The paper also canvasses the loss of "active transport" – walking, jogging or cycling – when people use Segways instead, but says "it has been argued that regular use of a Segway may assist improving the rider's balance, core stability and leg strength".

If the status quo stays, the paper asks how long the commercial operator's licence should be extended for and whether speed limits should stay as is, and whether the operation should be expanded beyond the central basin of the lake.

If people are allowed to use them more widely, the paper asks whether they should be allowed on roads, in the same way as bicycles, and whether speed limits should be set or whether it might be sufficient to have speed limits around pedestrians.

It asks whether Segways should be allowed on all kinds on paths or only some, and whether riders should have to wear helmets. It also canvasses age and height limits – currently, riders must be 12 and tall enough that their elbows are at at least the height of the handlebar.

It points out that Austroads is looking to develop a national policy on Segway use and, says that Queensland and the Northern Territory allow them.

In Queensland, Segways are allowed on footpaths and bike paths at a top speed of 12km/h. Riders must keep left, and give way to pedestrians. Twelve to 15-year-olds can only ride them under adult supervision, and rules require helmets, no mobiles, no alcohol and no passengers. Queensland classifies riders as pedestrians. The Northern Territory treats Segways like bicycles, but has similar rules to Queensland.

Segway costs had fallen from $9000-$14,000, to about $2500 or $3000 for cheaper imported models, the paper said.