'IT' is coming -- and it's legal on sidewalks

Seattle Post-Intelligencer ^ | March 18, 2002 | JANE HADLEY

[ValerieUSA]

I don't see why ANY legislation had to be involved at all. I'm not impressed with this stupid product, but that doesn't mean it ought to be banned or need government approval to be used.

[RobRoy]

I would assume it should be able to legally go wherever a wheelchair can go. To me, that is the benchmark.

This thing gave me an idea a few months ago that I implemented early this month - and it was a big success: I bought a foldable Oxygen "razor" type scooter to use during lunchbreak in downtown Seattle. I am able to go from the south side of the city up to Lake Union in 1/3 the time it takes to walk. The buses are a lousy alternative because they never seem to be there when you want them.

I walk up the steep hills and coast or push on the flats and downhills. It works great! I sometimes get funny looks though. I'm typically wearing sport coat and slacks and I suppose it looks a little odd.

From what I'v experienced with my little human powered scooter, I think the segway is gonna happen, and eventually in a big way.

[areafiftyone]

YEA RIIGHTTT!! This will work real well on the streets of New York City. We already have to contend with speeding taxis' and messenger bicyclists. The sidewalks are overcrowded during lunchtime and rush hour as it is. We don't need anything else on the sidewalks. I can just imagine some angry New Yorker telling one of these guys off (New York Style) at the same time landing a good solid punch knocking him off of his HT.

[finnman69]

Exactly, I get pissed when some idiotic chinese delivery man is riding his bike down the sidewalk towards a crowd of people. Now we want more motorized vehicles on the sidewalk? Uh uh.

[js1138]

Competitive version of "IT"

[areafiftyone]

I agree. I almost got knocked over by two bicyclists at lunch time today. The cars are all stopped at the red light but these guys don't stop at all so when you are walking out into the street they come barreling down in between the cars that are stopped. Makes your heart jump in your mouth.

[ValerieUSA]

*LOL* Yeowch!

[PatrioticAmerican]

LOL!!!

[shadowman99]

1) Local and state governments can't wait to hit us with a "wheel tax", "road tax" or license of some type on this stupid thing. I'll walk. Thanks.

2) Why should it legal to ride this thing on a sidewalk, but not skates, skateboards, and various type of scooters? Many communitys have done everything they can to ban skateboards, but I have a feeling that for $3000 the Segway will get some type of elitist exception.

3) If I try to enhance the performance of a Segway, will I be in violation of the DMCA?

[SoDak]

WooHoo!! No more pesky walking. America will be more free to widen. Jabba like the "IT".

[js1138]

You think that one's an ouch? I couldn't find a pic of the battlebot that completly destroyed Overkill.

[Minnesoootan]

"We're not really anticipating any problems. But, on other hand, we need to be sure we're able to correct them if they do arise,"

take one day before they are driven drunk and you will have one big 'ole government revenue maker....I aint no Libertarian,so spare the flames.

[discostu]

Basically Seqway has two potential legal problems: since it's motorized it can arguably be demanded to be licensed (and have the driver be licensed) much like motor cycles. The other is that many cities (usually highly populated compact cities like NY) ban wheeled tranportation (bikes, skates, skateboards) from the sidewalk. Depending on how cities look at Segway in these two avenues it could be effectively banned.

Of course it's a stupid and ugly thing and I can't wait to see what happens when the rider get's nailed by a heavy wind. So it wouldn't bother me to see it banned, but that's what campaign donations are all about.

[T. P. Pole]

It has the ability when it runs into something -- the minute it touches something -- it pulls back

To go forward, the operator leans forward and to stop, leans back slightly

When it runs into something, it stops and reverses, unless it is running over your foot. Then inertia causes the rider to fall forward, causing IT to speed up.

Sounds safe to me.

[pt17]

So it wouldn't bother me to see it banned

Some people want to take away your guns, others want to take your scooter before you even get one.

[lepton]

wait'll you have to get the government defined airbag.

[js1138]

"A car is not designed to travel one or two miles . . ."

That's why we have legs.

You walk two miles to the grocery? I doubt it.

[tacticalogic]

Sounds safe to me.

Until someone invents a way to remotely tickle the gyro feedback circuits. Can you say "face plant"?

[js1138]

I think your concerns have been addressed.

Also, this thing is much slower than a bicycle. It can be rigged to have a top speed of 4 mph -- a fast walk.