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Toys for Transport?
EvilCabbage asks: "Let's imagine I have a distance to travel to get to my office. Much of this is done on a train line, but there is a distance of around 10klm (aprox 6.2miles) from my home to this train station. A little too far to walk, but not quite far enough to justify use of my car every day. Fortunately, the Segway isn't on my shopping list. I'm wondering what parambulating devices are available to make this journey a little easier, without turning the key in my car. Bicycles are generally too large to carry on the train, and couldn't be left in my office all day. I've seen some scooters that fold to rather small sizes (perfect for lugging to the office and back), but are these things still for kids? What small urban transport devices are fellow Slashdot readers using (assuming we are still going outside)? What can you recommend and what won't cost me an arm and a leg to run?"
Why don't you look into a folding bicycle? I see people with them on the train all the time and you can get one for about $200. Maybe less used. They'll fold up small enough to carry if you need to. Here in San Francisco folding bikes are allowed on the trains at all times (if they are folded up) as opposed to regular bikes which aren't allowed during rush hours.
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I sometimes ride a skateboard to work - a distance of 5 km, and flat all the way. It is more work than cycling, and similar to walking, but much faster. My 5 km trip takes about 22 minutes, and the roads I skate on are not particularly smooth.
If you are a coordinated/athletic person you should be able to learn "pumping", which is a skating technique that allows you to propel yourself without pushing with one foot. If the road is smooth it's even possible to propel yourself up slight hills, although this is seriously hard work.
Ideally you will want a longboard rather than the sort of skateboard you see every day. But don't go too long! A long longboard is good for going fast, but is harder to pump at slower speeds. The best "commuting" board would be something similar to a GS board - around 25 " wheelbase, and with large (~70 mm) and soft (~78a) wheels. Check out NCDSA for more info.
Skating is a seriously fun method of transport, although not nearly as practical as a bicycle.