What wrong with "It"? Well, first, nothing is said about its weight. If one were to ride this to work, or to the store, one would need to store it safely somewhere upon arrival. Where would that be? Does one tie it up to a parking meter (like the cowboy tying up horse to a post in front of a saloon? One must have a place to keep the vehicle when not in use at every destination. Having to carrying it up three floors to the loft office is not a happy thought.
Second: one cannot carry much gear or groceries around on this scooter?
Third: one using this device is exposed to rainy weather, cold weather, and the hazards of ice and snow.
Fourth: what does one do if the gyro device breaks down in the middle of forward motion - fall forward?
Fifth: how many people can stand for a long period of time without buckling at the knees. Try standing straight for an hour or two to test this problem.
Now all of this is not to say that there might not be trememdous applications for "It" - but those applications will not be to replace the automobile or to eliminate 'urban congestion' or to halt 'urban sprawl'.
Light rail is also a helluva good idea except for 1) Commuter parking facilities are cost prohibitive; 2) Cost per mile prohibitive; 3) Unable to operate at a profit, requiring heavy governmental subsidies. At 17 miles per hour, "It", like light rail, is going now where without heavy government sponsorship. And even then, "It" is going no where but to novelty land.
Well said, the media should quote you on this Bounceback! Your well reasoned analysis is right on the money in my opinion. My initial reaction was ....duh....many people in the city are carrying items, briefcases, bags, you name it...and the scooter has no provisions for this, its a "two hander" with no luggage rack. If you add a rack, you will likely need a larger unit and another set if wheels, and viola, you no longer need a "gyro balancing" scooter, you basically have an electric cart!