SEGWAY OUT THE PEDESTRIAN

Fiedor Report On the News #266 ^ | 3-31-02 | Doug Fiedor

[forest]

The Segway is neither car nor pedestrian. There will be accidents. Who will pay?

[hellinahandcart]

Who will pay?

The owner of the damned Segway that hits me will pay. In more ways than one.

[Maedhros]

The answer to the Segwaywers is mandatory social engineering to accomodate their toy.

If I recall correctly, Steve Jobs said, "you could build cities around it."

[Drew68]

There will be accidents. Who will pay?

And at 10-12mph + 80lbs + another 100-200lbs for the operator, these accidents will hurt.

Nonetheless, I want one and I imagine when the price comes down a lot of people will have them.

We *are* an inherently lazy bunch!

[dawn53]

One big problem is, the device is neither a pedestrian nor a motor vehicle. It will disrupt the flow of people walking on the sidewalk because it goes much faster than humans walk. Yet, it is much too slow to allow on the street

This doesn't make sense. They let bicycles on the street. How can it be too slow to allow on the streets?

[Ferris]

There is no real fit in an urban environment for this Segway scooter.

Irrelevant...

They said the same thing about the car and the plane, by the way...

So, they are legislating a fit.

THE problem is that they are legislating anything remotely related to the Segway...

But, man’s laws cannot alter the laws of nature, which means that Segways will be involved hitting walking humans and getting hit by vehicles.

Gee whiz, do you mean just like cars?

There are already ways to deal with someone who has caused harm to another person by hitting them with a vehicle...

This is just another area that government has no business even talking about...

[Helix]

Well, if it's not treated as a vehicle but as a pedestrian then can I have a bottle of Jack or a Budweiser whilst operating my Segway and not be charged with DUI?

[StriperSniper]

So, they are legislating a fit. But, man’s laws cannot alter the laws of nature,

And the follies continue.

[Mr. K]

I disagree with this- I think it will work just like motorized wheelchairs. You dont hear of them causing accidents, or being dangerous.

[angry elephant]

I disagree with this- I think it will work just like motorized wheelchairs. You dont hear of them causing accidents, or being dangerous.

Since there are many reports of Americans being too fat, it doesn't seem like another excuse for not walking should be promoted. People who are in wheelchairs are in them because they have to be and always gain weight. If the government wants to get into legislating how we travel, which it shouldn't, it would cut health care costs to require everyone to walk up or down one flight of stairs in office buildings.

[Mr. K]

my post had nothing to do with people getting fat and lazy. (too true) I just think they are over-regulating this thing before it even comes out. It is the natural reaction of the govt. now (How can we tax or regulate everything?)

[steve-b]

I think it will work just like motorized wheelchairs. You dont hear of them causing accidents, or being dangerous.

Motorized wheelchairs move at walking speed.

[Looking4Truth]

Yeah, like I'm going to pay 2 grand for an ugly lawn spreader looking thing to ride around downtown sidewalks.

I'll be p.o.'ed if they allow these 'smeg'ways on the sidewalks and not bicycles, roller blades and skateboards.

If the dorks at Apple like it, count me out. This is not a MacOS slam, I just don't like Steve Jobs and other 'future-thinkers' of his ilk.

[Free the USA]

Check the Bump List folders for articles related to and descriptions of the above topic(s) or for other topics of interest.

[Lokibob]

As a lot of folks have, I have followed this for over a year now, and think it will be a very big seller in the very near future.  All you have to do is look in any city park to see the next consumer base.  Ten year olds on up (I see 3yos) riding scooters.  These kids, when they start college will NEED cheap local  transportation. 

You watch the face of anybody riding it for the first time, and they are grins from ear to ear.

Insurance will fill the bill for the liability.

On the right and left coast, everybody is in a hurry, but I can assure you, that in flyover country, our less hurried mind set is custom made for the Segway.  To ride to the store, unhurried, is to be desired. 

[TN4Liberty]

I wonder if you can deer hunt with one... Ten MPH to get to your treestand before daylight would be a good thing, especially in some of the hilly areas.

[Frankss]

It seems to be a motorized vehicle,about 3 feet wide,12 mph.Imagine a busy city sidewalk with thousands of pedestrians walking every which way and these contraptions wheeling around. What about a motorized skateboard? What about a moped? A bicycle is not really allowed on the sidewalk (makes sense). Why is this thing getting allowed? What about a gasoline powered one that can do 80 mph? I think that insurance, license, tags,registration and inspection are in order. ( some sarcasm)

[Drew68]

I live in downtown Denver and I don't have a car. One of these things, legal on sidewalks, would be great!

[angry elephant]

I'll be p.o.'ed if they allow these 'smeg'ways on the sidewalks and not bicycles, roller blades and skateboards.

Gee, in Seattle they allow bicycles, roller blades, skateboards, scooters, electric scooters, etc., on the sidewalks. I don't think they're really allowed, just no one ever stops them.

[Age of Reason]

One big problem is, the device is neither a pedestrian nor a motor vehicle.

Rubbish.

It has a motor, doesn't it?

It's a vehicle, isn't it?

Therefore, it's a motor vehicle.

That it is a slow one, is its lookout--not pedestrians.

Make them wear seatbelts, helmets, and ride in the streets.

As for me, I'll keep walking.

Maybe when the next model of slugway comes out, it will have a built-in treadmill so riders can have some exercise while they zip about.