Segway (IT, Ginger, Dean Kamen...)

JBinKC · Post by **JBinKC** » Wed Sep 17, 2003 11:26 pm

I saw a Segway on the Plaza tonight. Looked like an older guy driving/riding it. I couldn't get a good look since it was dark, but it was pretty cool to see one in person. I wanted to ask him if I could take it for a spin. Looks pretty much effortless.

trailerkid · Post by **trailerkid** » Thu Sep 18, 2003 12:15 am

cool...never seen one

Post by **bahua** » Thu Sep 18, 2003 8:35 am

As it is, the average American walks 350 yards a week, which is primarily the distance to and from their cars. Is 350 yards too much now? We are already the most obese nation in the world. It's like having legs is a bad thing.

Post by **dangerboy** » Thu Sep 18, 2003 9:29 am

There was an older couple with a pair of Segways at Art Westport.

From what I have read, there is definitely a learning curve. Initially, you had to go to their HQ for training before they let you have it. Now when you buy a Segway they send someone to your house to teach you how to use it.

MidtownGrrl · Post by **MidtownGrrl** » Thu Sep 18, 2003 1:52 pm

We spotted a Segway at September's First Friday Art Walk. I don't remember much about the person driving/riding it.

carfreekc · Post by **carfreekc** » Sun Sep 21, 2003 2:25 am

I rode one for a half hour when I was in Portland earlier this year. It took a little getting used to (I turned the handle the wrong way since it was counterintuitive and then bumped into the outside wall of the hotel), but after that, it was relatively easy.......and boring. After about 15 minutes I got bored with it since you're just standing there, not really doing anything. It would be cool if you worked in a huge warehouse or something, but for transportation, I'll stick to walking or biking. (And they don't belong on sidewalks!)

macnw · Post by **macnw** » Sun Sep 21, 2003 9:42 am

FYI,
Oregon is one of the most unhealthy states in the US. The last thing people need up here is another excuse not to move. Use those two things attached to your body. Anyway, people here in Portland cannot drive in the rain, what will they do with this new toy?

carfreekc · Post by **carfreekc** » Sun Sep 21, 2003 6:42 pm

macnw wrote:FYI,
Oregon is one of the most unhealthy states in the US. The last thing people need up here is another excuse not to move. Use those two things attached to your body. Anyway, people here in Portland cannot drive in the rain, what will they do with this new toy?

Maybe I should have clarified....the Segway I rode in Portland was at an international conference on walking in an attempt to garner some good will from the walking community (no small chore considering the alienation Segway created by its intensive lobbying efforts to get legislation allowing Segways on sidewalks). I don't know anything about them being in Portland other than that.

If I lived in Portland, I'd be walking when I wasn't riding transit.

What I saw of it anyway (which, admittedly, was limited) was immensely walkable.

Midtownkid · Post by **Midtownkid** » Tue Sep 23, 2003 7:04 pm

the couple in their 40s or 50s live in my neighborhood...they are the people you saw at the plaza art fair and maybe the westport art fair too...they are so cool...they are going to give me lessons soon

Post by **dangerboy** » Fri Oct 03, 2003 8:32 am

Plaza Security is testing a Segway, and City Hall is considering them for meter readers, police crowd control, and other uses. Appareantly there is a local dealer now who has sold dozens already.

http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansascity/6919346.htm

(FYI, The Star requires registration to read online now)

KCPowercat · Post by **KCPowercat** » Fri Oct 03, 2003 8:49 am

but they are all being recalled????

Post by **dangerboy** » Fri Oct 03, 2003 9:15 am

They're getting a software patch to give an earlier low battery warning. Some people were ignoring the warning and getting injured when the Segway stopped running and they fell off. I guess you can't hook to your PC to update the on-board software. New units already have the update.

Good2Great · Post by **Good2Great** » Wed Oct 22, 2003 10:52 am

bahua wrote:As it is, the average American walks 350 yards a week, which is primarily the distance to and from their cars. Is 350 yards too much now? We are already the most obese nation in the world. It's like having legs is a bad thing.

That's not even a quarter of a mile!!!!!!

Comment to America:

"HEY FATTY, how about holding the fries for ONCE!"

Post by **bahua** » Thu Oct 23, 2003 8:30 pm

I like my fries. Here's my comment to America:

Hey FATTY, how about using the stairs to get to the second or third floor?