Segways Roll Over Chicago

lpangelrob2 writes "It looks like someone in Chicago finally found a use for Dean Kamen's Segways. The Chicago Sun Times is reporting that a three hour tour of Chicago's lakefront will be guided by Segways traveling on Chicago's sidewalks at 5mph. The cost of the tour is $65, and an instructional class and helmet is provided -- just in case."

Comments

Looks like it's a Gimmick

[Inhibit]

to get people to use the Segway's or somesuch. It might work to get people to view the city... wonder if it's funded in part by a tourist council?

They've been doing this in Paris for over a year.

[flanksteak]

I saw people touring Paris last year on a bunch of these. One of the tourists almost pulled a GW onto the pavement, but the guide showed them how to properly mount the Segway before they tried again. If you're going to Paris, Nice, or New Orleans anytime soon, check out City Segway Tours.

Here in Seattle I've also seen the people who collect the change out of parking meters using Segways to move up and down the sidewalks.

I guess Kamen is managing to sell these things, but not as many as was originally hoped.

Re:From the just in case link...

[AKAImBatman]

A lot of the Police here in Chicago are now on Segways. Perhaps their Segway couldn't keep up with his overclocked/turbocharged Segway? ;-)

Seriously though. Segways may not sound fast, but when you see them in real life, you realize just how fast they really are. They can maintain the speed of a brisk run and quickly maneuver around obstacles. Someone on foot would have trouble keeping up and would run out of breath long before the Segway ran out of a charge.

Minneapolis

[Judg3]

Minneapolis does this to on their "Magical History Tour"

Travel back in time on a Magical History Tour(TM)! Ride a Segway as you enjoy the history of the Minneapolis Riverfront area from 10,000 BC to present without breaking a sweat. Let the Segway do the work as you cover several miles accompanied by a professional guide

Of course, this one costs $70

Next thing you know Portland, OR will

[Marxist Hacker 42]

Be painting Segways Yellow- and leaving them around town for just anybody to use who wants to look stupid, just like the Yellow Bike Project

How about

[Prince Vegeta SSJ4]

you charge me $2 bucks and let me ride one of THESE

or better yet, ride a bicycle, McDonalds, motorized scooters, maybe motorized shoes next, let's get some exercise people. I know some people need assistance, but I'm tired of seeng 5 year olds on motorized vehicles, DAMN.

Re:Makes some sense

[timeOday]

Plus it's a lakefront tour, surely it would be more fun out in the open air rather than in a van.

Bikes could work, but only for cyclists. I run regularly but definitely don't have the butt callouses to sit on a bike seat for 3 hours.

Walking would be nice, but you couldn't go as far in 3 hours, and besides nobody would pay you $60 to let them walk for 3 hours.

Besides being a great attention-getter, I have to admit the Segway actually makes some sense here!

Re:Segway Experience

[dallask]

We rent the Segway in La Jolla CA. Everyone who has tried the units has come back very excited about them.

Most tell us that the trick is to relax and let the unit do the work for you. They also tell us that it is so responsive that it almost obeys your thoughts rather than your actions.

Re:Shut up already

[dallask]

Trying to sell you on the concept of the Segway is akin to trying to replace a farmer's horse with a car in the 1900's.

but in all honesty, the segway isnt for you. Your happy on a bike, and thats ok. Just realise that it is picking up steam and sales and you might just have to share the sidewalks in the future.

Re:Shut up already

[dallask]

The CA legislature has limited the Segways speed to 8 MPH on the sidewalks. We rent them at 6mph.

Those who own one and wish to ride them at the faster speeds can ride them in the bike lanes.

And for cites with dedicated bike lanes, that's fine. However, the unit's riders are legally considered a pedestrian. This is because the Segway is MUCH more controllable than a bike, or skateboard.

At 12MPH I can stop within a foot. Which I cant do on a bike. I can also stand still and pivot in place, allowing me to get in and out of tight places.

Its a new machine, with new technology, that's like nothing else on the market.

Re:Makes some sense

[sulli]

consider the cost of ownership of a ten passenger van versus the cost of ten segways. The segways win compared to the cost of a new van. Moreover the segaways have better access. Still the segways cant be used just anywhere like this.

consider the cost of a ten passenger van versus the cost of ten bicycles. you get the same features, and can take an awesome trip around the world with the money you save. plus the passengers lose weight.

Actually it takes more work than you would think

[SuperKendall]

Sure it looks like you are just standing there. But remember the Segway is using cues from your body to determine if it should move forward, back, or slow down... so you are actually spending a lot of time readjusting balance in ways you're not accustomed to, and after a few hours your legs can get fairly tired. It's not like being in a car whene the experinece is mostly passive as far as your muscles go.

Heck, even just standing up for a long time without balancing in different ways is more than most people do!