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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."
"ABC7's Jim Wieder reports supervisors aren't happy to hear the suspect got away."
This is confusing on many levels. First, how did a person on a Segway out run the police? Second, how many people do you see on a Segway? Third, why did some one buy a Segway?
Disclaimer: These questions do not require a response as I understand that people on foot can escape police but any witty reponse (see funny) would be appreciated. Thanks-
Why does that sound ominous too me?
just in case.....you happen to be a leader of a free world.
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I don't remember the "Chicago Lakefront" screen in Lemmings.
It was a few months ago we had a news story down here about a company giving Segway tours of Sarasota, with full support of City Hall.
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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.
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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.
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
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We have been renting the Segway HT for 6 months now in the La Jolla / San Diego area... We also provide training and a helmet to all riders and to date have not had a single incident.
It is interesting though the reaction we get from the disabled community. While the majority of people who encounter the units see them as a marvel, the Disabled community is split in their view of the units.
Those with minor to severe mobility issues LOVE the units. They see them as a viable alternative to a wheelchair and a way to increase their mobility.
However, those who are confined to a chair, and those who are blind and deaf are strongly opposed to the units being on the sidewalks.
They are afraid that they will be hit by the units and see them as a danger, even though NOONE, in this area at least, has been hit by the units.
To further increase their safety, we also limit the units to 6 miles per hour.
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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
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Riders must leave their pride with the ticket booth before joining the tour.
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"The man fled the scene on his Segway. Police think he lives in the neighborhood. " Wow, I would have figured he rode his segway from a different city.
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Neither, really. It's suppose to fit a zone in between that has previously been poorly-serviced.
Do you walk to the grocery store?
That'd be an especially bad use of the Segway. Grocery customers buy numerous large bags, which you can't transport standing on a scooter. Keeping the purchase size down to what a Segway can carry would nessecitate more trips.
The Segway is meant to replace driving in short trips to and from locations between 10 and 15 miles from your departure point.
The Segway goes maybe 12 miles in an hour. Depending on road conditions, automobiles do between 20 and 60. For the 10-15 mile trips you're talking about, a car is the rational choice for the following reasons:
Segways don't do well compared with bicycles either. Bikes are about equivalent in terms of speed, cargo, and weather protection, but can cost just 1% of the sale price, and have the benefit of increasing the operator's cardiovascular health.
Plus, in uncongested areas, the bike is faster too... and of course it goes longer between recharging.
The market niche for Segways is apparently people who'd like to make small bicycle-level trips, but are too obese to pedal themselves.