I know of some vets who have lost one or both legs from war injuries who use Segways to improve their mobility. It's painful for many those guys to walk any distance, especially in the first year of using artificial limbs. I am sure that the criticisms of Segways I have read about here are not directed towards users who have genuine physical limitations. Most of the guys that I have spoke with that use Segways for mobility prefer them to wheelchairs because they have better visibility and it's actually easier for them than getting in and out of a wheelchair.

Now, debating the use of Segways by able bodied citizens is a different thing. It's a free country, and if somebody wants to use one on a sidewalk or pedestrian zone, and it's not crowded and a hazard to pedestrians, who cares? I have seen a few here in Orange County, so few that they attract attention. The Sheriff guys at John Wayne airport buzz up and down the aisles on Segways, and I think it's a bit for show as they like their toys.