I notice a few people getting around DC with these segways. Not just cops. A girl in an apartment building near me uses one. She rides it right through the front door and into the elevator. They seem like a waste of money to me. I suppose if you have some kind of health problem that keeps you off a bike you might consider one of these things. I'm tempted to rent one to see what they're like, maybe they're fun. It doesn't seem right to let them on sidewalks where bikes are forbidden. The seqway website promotes it with some of the same language that people use to describe bicycle transportation- except the health benefits.

I saw a TV segment on a handicapped person who could stand, but could not walk. He said the Segway changed his life as he was at the same level as other people and had almost normal mobility. He and a double leg amputee on another specially modified Segway were able to tour Europe together, which would have been next to impossible with wheel chairs.

For normal people, I am not sure that I see the need or justification. Why not walk or ride a bike?

I've seen someone in my neighborhood with one. Also, I used to pass someone in Arlington riding on the bike path when I commuted out that way. If you want to try one, there's a company that tours the monuments via Segway - they teach you how to use it, then go up and down the Mall with it.

Who was it who said the Segway offers all the convenience of walking, with none of the dignity? That about sums it up for me.

It has been interesting to follow the buzz on the segway. When it was introduced at the height of the internet boom, it was hyped as the next great leap forward for transportation, and people were arguing over how many years it would be before we all had one. Then it sort of became a toy for wealthy folks and computer geeks, and now it's finding a small niche in government and industry applications. I'll bet there have been more iPhones sold in the past six days than Segways in the past six years.

I also don't see much point to them, unless the person has problems walking or moving. They look weird to me, and I can easily outpace them on a bicycle. So what's the point?

I also don't see much point to them, unless the person has problems walking or moving. They look weird to me, and I can easily outpace them on a bicycle. So what's the point?

I agree. Basically it should belong to the family of wheelchairs for the mobility challenged.

I think they're great, not because they're particularly useful or anything, but just because they help shake up people's ideas of how to get around. I can easily imagine someone who drives all the time foregoing their car for a segway when they would never consider a bike. I'm all for alternative means of transportation that have less impact than a car, especially ones as elegant as the segway. I mean, if you compare it to a car or even a motorcycle, it's a work of art. A car is built to drive its own bulk around and weighs 4,000 lbs or more, a segway is built to haul a person and their affects around. Just psychologically it may be a big leap forward for people who are inclined to view bikes and public transport as things for the plebes. The idea that something that weighs about as much as you is just as good for hauling your ass around as two tons of metal and rubber is a good idea to put into people's heads.

Of course, it may not do those things, but it has the potential to.

It's transportation without the exercise... I predict the US will be even fatter in 20 years...

I'll bet there have been more iPhones sold in the past six days than Segways in the past six years.
Probably more iPhones or Xboxes or Playstations sold in the first six minutes than Segway will ever sell at retail.
Iphones sales have been estimated by market analysts in the first two days to be at least 312,000+units. Segway sold 23,500 units in its first 3 years on the market, including sales to government agencies giving them a trial.

IMO the segway has it's place but that place is a small one.

There's a little downtown tour on the things that runs here during the summer. I get the giggles when I see them cruising by. But the real problem is they're quite heavy, expensive and pretty much useless in snow or rough terrain.

can a segway go uphill?

I think they're great, not because they're particularly useful or anything, but just because they help shake up people's ideas of how to get around. I can easily imagine someone who drives all the time foregoing their car for a segway when they would never consider a bike. I'm all for alternative means of transportation that have less impact than a car, especially ones as elegant as the segway. I mean, if you compare it to a car or even a motorcycle, it's a work of art. A car is built to drive its own bulk around and weighs 4,000 lbs or more, a segway is built to haul a person and their affects around. Just psychologically it may be a big leap forward for people who are inclined to view bikes and public transport as things for the plebes. The idea that something that weighs about as much as you is just as good for hauling your ass around as two tons of metal and rubber is a good idea to put into people's heads.

Of course, it may not do those things, but it has the potential to.

1) people wouldn't forego a car for a segway because a car is way faster. if anything they'll put a segway in a car and then when they park use the segway instead of walking.

2) in reply to the work of art thing the same can be said for a bike or a bicycle or a truck or any form of transportation

3) why go through all the trouble with magnets and such and all that "amazing technology" to keep it upright when you can put a third wheel front and center? i can't recall where but somewhere on the web is a site that has detailed directions to building your own 2 wheeled segway super cheap.

1) people wouldn't forego a car for a segway because a car is way faster. if anything they'll put a segway in a car and then when they park use the segway instead of walking.
Not likely. Weight of the I2 Commuter: 105 lbs / 47.7 kg + accessories

Anyone here have first hand experience with a segway?

Not likely. Weight of the I2 Commuter: 105 lbs / 47.7 kg + accessories

then what is the purpose? to commute at a walking pace? i don't understand why anyone would want to do that

then what is the purpose? to commute at a walking pace? i don't understand why anyone would want to do that
The purpose is to see how many people can be fooled into buying an expensive, virtually worthless for any practical purpose product because it is high tech.

well i knew that already..

then what is the purpose? to commute at a walking pace? i don't understand why anyone would want to do that
The people I see using them go quite a bit faster than walking pace. They also raise you up higher, the cops who use them get the speed of a slow bike but with a better view. The advertisements say they go 12.5 mph. They also make a rough terrain model. If I try one I'll report back. Maybe they're fun enough to warrant the steep price. Without the ADA requiring wheelchair ramps everywhere they'd be less usable.

Segways are somewhere between the devil incarnate and the next savior or the planet. They take the convince of door to door travel offered by the car one step further by offering covenant chair to chair travel. Segways are the only device that enjoys dual pedestrian and vehicle status. You can take it the same places as bikes (sans some MUPs) and you can take it about anywhere you can walk. You can ride it through the aisle of a store, down the corridor to your cubical. It is amazingly convenient and totally decadent all at the same time.

Our local bike/ped advisory group got a free demo of these things and the first impressions were the control of the Segway is amazingly organic and natural. The next impression was after an hour standing still on one of those things you are in agony.

Being a cyclist Segways impress me as being way to limiting in speed and in distance but for some pedestrians they can improve both time and distance covered.

While I agree that I think the things are ridiculous for an able-bodied person, I'll try to think like a non-cyclist for a second.

One of the big reasons people seem to mention they don't want to bike to work is that they'll get sweaty. So being able to go significantly faster than walking sweat-free may appeal to a certain segment of the population.

This reminds me whenever I see someone riding one of those motorized wheelchair-like scooters carrying their shopping around I wonder if they are disabled, or lazy. But then I wonder hmm how is an able-bodied person using motorized wheelchair any different from a car in that lazy respect? Only difference is one people will make assumptions about you and one is generally integrated into society.

I think they're neat, but for their price I'd never buy one. IMO, they are not a very practical vehicle at all for most people, and I think a $250 bike is a much better value for the money than a Segway costing 20X as much.

On the other hand, I don't care if other people want to exercise or not--if their choice is between the Segway or a gas-powered vehicle, I'd think the scooter would be the clear winner there for lack of pollution alone.

I think they'd be a lot of fun

....for about an hour!

Boy,

A lot of high and mighty going on here.

As far as I am concerned, if a Segway helps just one person get out of the car for getting around it's great.

Sure it isn't exercise. Sure they need to be charged. But they are a whole lot less impact on the environment. And it is at least a step in the right direction.

-D

Boy,

A lot of high and mighty going on here.

As far as I am concerned, if a Segway helps just one person get out of the car for getting around it's great.

Sure it isn't exercise. Sure they need to be charged. But they are a whole lot less impact on the environment. And it is at least a step in the right direction.

-D
Unlikely that anybody is getting out of a car for a Segway. More likely using a pickup truck or van with a ramp to haul around the overweight beast for a ride in the park. It is certainly too heavy to haul around inside and too expensive/vulnerable to leave unattended outside any business or work site for long.

Segways are the only device that enjoys dual pedestrian and vehicle status.

I'd like to know how that happened. I mean, bicycles should have this, but instead they gave the exclusive privilege to the segway company. What gives?

I've read the book, bought the T-shirt and seen the concert..Dean Kamen's 'Segway' is a robot...

The US Army is currently testing beefed-up versions and they are using them to replace mules (yep you heard right mules!) for carrying gear over hazardis terrain. The segway when properly programmed can follow you around via a radio link on it's start-up key, eventually it will be able to take you to the grocery store, follow you around while you shop and pop things into it's carry basket. When you're finished you leap on and it takes you home..via the park if you want. Not too long from now I could see them running errends for people, running to the store, communicating with cash registers to make your purchases, etc..

Is it a good thing or a bad thing? Don't know.. but I think that it's like the automobile which was considered a pretty impractical toy that was only a plaything for the rich. That was only 100 years ago... Segway is waiting in the wings..watching..waiting.....bwahhaaaaa..haaa...!

Don't know.. but I think that it's like the automobile which was considered a pretty impractical toy that was only a plaything for the rich. That was only 100 years ago...


Yea, and look how great that turned out for the planet.

On the positive side... seeing someone on a segway actually saves you time because you don't have to speak to them to know they're an idiot.

So......ARE they able to climb hills??

So......ARE they able to climb hills??
Yes.

1) people wouldn't forego a car for a segway because a car is way faster. if anything they'll put a segway in a car and then when they park use the segway instead of walking.

2) in reply to the work of art thing the same can be said for a bike or a bicycle or a truck or any form of transportation

3) why go through all the trouble with magnets and such and all that "amazing technology" to keep it upright when you can put a third wheel front and center? i can't recall where but somewhere on the web is a site that has detailed directions to building your own 2 wheeled segway super cheap.

God I hate the internet.

.. but I think that it's like the automobile which was considered a pretty impractical toy that was only a plaything for the rich. That was only 100 years ago... Segway is waiting in the wings..watching..waiting.....bwahhaaaaa..haaa...!
The bike also started out as a play thing for the rich, just something to think about.

God I hate the internet.

Yeah, the free and unhindered spread of information is a terrible thing. Knowledge should be handed from above and controlled only by well bred individuals such as yourself. :rolleyes:

Yeah, the free and unhindered spread of information is a terrible thing. Knowledge should be handed from above and controlled only by well bred individuals such as yourself. :rolleyes:

God I hate the internet.

God I hate the internet.

Wonderful invention...that ignore button:D

Aaron:)

Wonderful invention...that ignore button:D

Aaron:)

Good god I hate the internet.

I think that it's like the automobile which was considered a pretty impractical toy that was only a plaything for the rich.

I think this is a myth - the automobile was immediately recognized as a powerful tool for transporting people and cargo. Like the airplane, there wasn't anything quite like it before it was invented. Only rich people could afford the prototypes at first, but just about everybody wanted one and they caught on like wildfire as soon as people could afford them.

The Segway is more like an autogyro - it has failed to capture the interest of the public, and it has failed to distinguish itself from other forms of transportation. There is also no competition, as no other company seems to want to produce one.

Wonderful invention...that ignore button:D

Aaron:)

Thanks for the tip.

Good god I hate the internet.
I'm sure the feeling is mutual at this point.

The Segway is more like an autogyro - it has failed to capture the interest of the public, ....


Maybe its the standing up what turns people off. If it were a sit down device....
Hmm, maybe the weight too, if it were human powered then it wouldn't need batteries and motors. Take away the drawbacks and it becomes a parallel bicycle.

Do you remember life before the Segway? (http://www.theonion.com/content/video/in_the_know_do_you_remember_life)

Maybe its the standing up what turns people off. If it were a sit down device....
Hmm, maybe the weight too, if it were human powered then it wouldn't need batteries and motors. Take away the drawbacks and it becomes a parallel bicycle.
A dicycle (http://www.unicycling.com/garage/multi.htm)?

I'll be impressed when there's a Segway with 700c wheels, and with the platform still a few inches off the ground. Maybe that's mean of me, but that's how I deal with them being out of my price range. Didn't want one anyway. Hrmph.

Maybe its the standing up what turns people off. If it were a sit down device....
Motorized wheelchairs already exist for those with the need for that type of mobility. Grossly overpriced, overweight, limited function, limited distance Segways don't fill any mobility need that can't be filled by better products already on the market.

I had the opportunity not too long ago to ride/play with a Segway. They truly are amazing machines. With practice not only will they go up hills, they will go over curbs. I can't imagine a situation where I would actually buy one for any real transportation need, but it was fun to play with.

What I don't understand, are the comments from posters who seem to think that cars are evil and also the posters who hate the rich who "were the first people to buy automobiles". While the American car culture has gotten out of control lately, I imagine that for the most part our lives have been improved by cars and the rich people who first invested in the technology. Imagine if a trip to the Emergency room involved a horse drawn buggy.

Don't get me wrong. I am disgusted by the fat a-holes hauling themselves around in their Escalade, but I love knowing that cars are available if I need to get somewhere quickly.

there cool to look at..thy police dept has ordered two at a ridcoulous price!

I'm not a big fan of the segways either, especially when I see police on them. Maybe in the city or something, but anywhere else, just looks stupid. Give a cop a bike instead and save a few grand. Bike can go more places and do it a lot faster. Saw a cop the other day buzzing through a field with one, and had to turn around cause he couldn't get it over a ledge...

...
NJ transit map and driving directions to NJ transit stations (http://trainsnj.com)
Nice transit map link in your sig line, by the way. Good concept.

Nice transit map link in your sig line, by the way. Good concept.

Yeah, I like it too. Its pretty handy, although NJ Transit does have a decent map of it rail lines/stations, there are no major roads to serve as a reference, so its kinda useless. And Google maps themselves are nice, their data does contain the rail stations and train tracts, but its hard to follow where they go(not just transit rail but freight as well) and it gets lost amongst all the other data, especially at a smaller scale or zoomed out.

Most of the Segways I have seen in use have been at one of the local state Universities. Apparently the campus police are using them. I can see the advantage over a bicycle in a crowd situation and given the fact that most if not all of the campus is AIDA compliant, it allows them to go just about anywhere a regular pedestrian can. I don't think they could ever replace the bicycle as a transportation alternative, but in the campus setting they certainly can be used as a supplement to it. And it gets the police out of the cars and into a more approachable format.

Aaron:)

Give me a break. Segways are just stupid and useless. If you need to maneuver amongst pedestrians, walk. If you need to maneuver quickly among pedestrians, run, dammit. If you have to go faster than you can run, then get on a bike. Or drive a car. Segways are just the iphone version of those silly motorized wheelchair/scooters used by old fatasses in casinos too lazy to actually get some exercise. And if people have real handicaps and have trouble moving under their own power, Segways are not going to help them.

There are places that do Segway tours and they sort of make a fun amusement ride like paddle boats but in general their ideal market seems to be the soon to be handicap or indoor situations where a bike is not totally appropriate.

And don’t get me started on transit maps, I use Google Earth and the transportation overlays.