Yeah, that's another excellent point. Are the operators going to be required to have liability insurance? Are they actually going to allow them to operate on the sidewalks without it? Because, I'm sorry, I know it's frowned upon in conservative circles in general, and I'm not looking to get rich off of some damned Mississippi jury or what-have-you, but if I'm out enjoying an ice cream with my cute little three-year-old daugther, strolling our way to the zoo, and some idiot a**hole yuppie on a Segway, a cell phone and the sidewalk runs her down and kills her, I'm not only suing him bankrupt, I'm going to do my best to get him prosecuted for criminally neglegent homicide - if, in fact, I don't strangle him to death with his own tie on the spot.
What? I should be looking after my kid? Uh, I was. I was holding her hand. We were walking on the sidewalk. How exactly is it my fault? Oh, I see - we should've been on a Segway too. Great.
As far as I'm concerned, if people want to ride the things, fine. Couldn't care less, and I'm sure they'll serve all manner of useful purposes. But I think they should be required to use the bike lanes - and if these don't exist, then I guess it's up to Segway Inc., and their ridership, to make them happen. Of course, that's much more expensive and difficult than just appropriating the sidewalks, though, isn't it, Segway?