Electric Bikes - 10mph across the USA on a Segway

Hey,

Maybe some of you have seen this, maybe some of you have not. A 90min documentary about riding a Segway across the USA.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DdR41fe9Zeg

Yours in cycling, electric or otherwise,

LesMcLuffAlot

I am pretty tolerant of all things two wheeled but Segways are dumb and that movie is like watching paint dry.

This type of product and the way it was presented to the world and the lawmakers that supported it only goes to show how far off the "critical" thinkers like Dean Kamens are about the needs of the people. Just more throw tons of money at it skewered logic. :(

+1 for MABMAN's opinion above.

But the analogy I would use is spending 90 minutes watching someone pound a square peg into a round hole.

Every few miles these adventurers had to lay the Segway down to replace the battery and the rider traversed the United States standing up, completely exposed to the weather, and probably in worse physical condition than when he left.

In my humble opinion, the Segway - from the beginning - has been a solution looking for a problem. Eventually, they will all be in museums.

Hey I'm no fan of Segways, but let's not be naive.

I'll rip-off PT Barnum: "never underestimate the laziness of the typical slob"

Generalizing the concept:

Let's have a coast to coast race for assisted bicycles similar to the infamous Cannonball for cars. Let the best technology win. Racing is a good way to improve the breed and carve a new Oregon Trail in the process. Although some riders might get hurt, progress always has its price. ;) j/k

Or just do what Justin did? http://endless-sphere.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=7134&st=0&sk=t&sd=a&start=10

I think the Cannon Ball Rallye idea is great. I used to like to read about them in Car and Driver way back. The guys in the rental car and the van with drums of gas and a porta potty come to mind. Will have to be renamed though, how about the "The Al Gore Sea to Shrinking Sea Memorial Trophy Race"?

Logistics would be a nightmare and Al might not be down. There are already events that showcase alt energy vehicles however, I guess there just needs to be more of them. Maybe they'll put a Hybrid class in up at the Hannegan Speedway?

There's a reason why Segway's haven't caught on with the general population as an electric vehicle. It is probably safe to say that cost is the primary reason. $4500.00 buys you the most basic model only. For that money I can have a great e-bike, recumbent e-bike or maybe an assisted velomobile.
Lots of people on Youtube whined about the segment with the Orland Park cop. Since the film makers say they research their route, I find it difficult to believe they didn't know that Segway's are banned on all roads and sidewalks in Orland Park. Or, is it possible that the film makers knew of the ban and were looking for a confrontation with police to spice up things in what otherwise would be a real snorefest?
If you want to see something amazing, try: http://www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/?o=3Tzut&doc_id=430&v=QI which lists Heidi Domeisen's solo 13,000 mile journey across the USA by trike, all by pedal power, on her own, with no ulterior motive but adventure. I favor tpreitzel's idea of a coast-coast assisted race. Not that I'd do it at my stage in life.

Oh, and for what it's worth, I've never had any problem riding my assisted trike around town, on roads or bike paths. Local cops give me waves and 'thumbs up' all the time. A few even know I have more than 750w on tap. They also like my lighting setup - Planet Bike Blinky Superflashes and Lightman Strobes in rear and Cateye flashing headlights up front, plus an additional 12v 50w 'offroad vehicle' halogen headlamp. They like my HPVelotechnik Scorpion tadpole trike, too. Good guys/women, haven't met a 'dick' among them in almost 4 months of assisted riding and over 600 miles with more than a few stop signs blown through.

Yeah, you can get a heck of a flat screen tv and a leather couch for $4500 and have enough left over to pay 2 years of premium cable and fill the fridge with beer. :rolleyes:

The Cannonball was all about speed but the race should be as much about low energy consumption levels too. And any support vehicles used would have to add to the energy use. I remembered about SPOT's also and they would help to keep track of the different entrants. Harder to track energy use however.

I saw off the man who did the first USA crossing by hand-cranked 4-wheeler. He was the guy who walked across the US on his hands. He was a motivational speaker. Hand walking took a year. Hand cranking took 69 days. A while after that I witnessed the start of the second man to make a hand-cranked crossing. he tool 19 days. No surprise, he had taken the LA Wheelchair marathon two years running.

Someday, the Segway will replace the bicycle....someday.

And pigs will fly. :lol:

And pigs will fly. :lol: :roflmao2:

:roflmao2:

They've learned to talk (see 'Babe'), so, can flying, or piloting skills be far behind?

How does Segway always so much attention? Who are they blowing in government/media? It's the dumbest product I've ever seen!

http://forums.segwaychat.com/showthread.php?t=35

Luckily the Segway seems to have gone bye bye. The entire cities that were going to be planned around it never got off the drawing board either. My favorite Sewgay incident was when Bush tried to ride one and it bucked him off!

Am I the only one who is reminded of the "movie" Wall-E, where humans rode around in chairs doing nothing and became fat slobs with no bone mass?
The Segway is our first step in that direction.

The target user of a Segway is someone with a completely rigid spine who can't sit or walk, yet still desires mobility. If even THEY would ride one.

"where humans rode around in chairs doing nothing and became fat slobs with no bone mass"

Pretty good description of a car eh? From car to couch is the way of the masses, with a stop at the drive through en route.

...Who are they blowing in government/media? It's the dumbest product I've ever seen!

The president.:roflmao2:
http://img237.imageshack.us/img237/1232/bushsegwayoj2me2.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

Or how about a Sewgay tour package from Ohio's first (and only) dealership.

http://segwayofohio.net/SegwayTours_Brochure.pdf