First known to technophiles as Ginger/IT, the Segway Personal Transporter has recently been entirely redesigned for its second generation. Known as the i2 it is rated to carry 260 pounds maximum. This plus an innate lack of grace and balance on my part made me rather leery about trying one. Yet try one I did, several times, plus the older model for comparison.
I was rather surprised by the Segway. Given that I knew I was over the weight limit (though at the time I didn’t realize it was by about a hundred pounds) and that I’ve never had great balance, it took determination to try it out that first time. My first experience was on the first generation Segway. The primary difference is that the older ones have a stationary center control column with a ring you move with your thumb to steer, and the newer ones steer by tilting the column and leaning on the base. There are many other small improvements, and several important features surprisingly stripped off the ‘upgrade’ but I’ll get to all that in due time.
Let’s address the answers to the first questions everybody asks: about 12.5 miles an hour top speed; about $5000 without accessories, 16-24 mile range on a charge. They are legal to operate almost everywhere that an electric wheelchair or other personal mobility device is allowed (though some people--including law enforcement aren’t aware of the laws), some municipalities have different laws governing them, and some areas have special restrictions. The last thing most people don’t realize is that they are in fact very safe. There are a few caveats, of course: you have to know how to get on one properly, you have to be aware that you’re higher off the ground (watch your head, especially in doorways), and you have to remember that all you do to stop is lean back to center your weight. With those three things in mind it’s rather difficult to injure yourself and much harder to injure a bystander (they don’t realize this--expect some to react like you’re running at them with a raised machete that is already dripping blood).
So what’s it like to ride one? As I said, surprising. It works better than I ever expected yet at the same time is much less practical than I would have thought, especially given all the early hype. How do you start? First, let me say you don’t ever get on one for the first time without somebody there to instruct you and ‘spot’ you as you step on (don’t worry, they don’t need to be able to support your weight). You start by turning it on with a key, on the old model this is a tab on one’s key ring, on the new one it’s a Bluetooth dongle that you can attach to the handle bar (or leave in your pocket, or wear on your wrist). Don’t be a W and hop on yet though--you’ll fall on your arse. You have to hold it level, turn it on, and tell it to balance (the two models get to this point differently, never get on one unless you’re sure it’s ready), once it’s ready you step on.
This first step on is by far the most difficult thing about a Segway. You need to step on straight, keeping the platform level, and on the new model it’s important that you keep the handlebar straight up as well. It’s a good idea for the person showing you the ropes to stand in front and hold the handlebar in the right position. As soon as you get both feet on the platform you’ll probably start to try to balance yourself. Now this is kind of like telling a scuba diver not to hold their breath the very first time they go under water, but anyway: don’t. Balancing front to back is the Segway’s job, and it’s going to do it whether you fight it or not. Try to stand upright with your knees unlocked and trust the machine. As soon as you do the worrisome oscillations you were causing will stop. Just relax and practice standing there for a moment, it’s not any harder than it was before you got on the thing. Also try no to grip the handlebar for dear life, and don't put a lot of downward weight on it (it might telescope down a little, no big deal but it can surprise you).
Now the person in front should take a couple steps backwards and you should gradually lean towards them (keep the handlebar straight for now). The Seg will start to roll and as you approach remember: all you have to do to stop is lean back to your previous stance. If you screw it up you can’t run over the spotter because all they have to do is push back the handlebar (and you) and you’ll stop. Next is backwards, a little harder but you’re starting to trust the machine. Just lean back a little and it’ll roll a little, stand upright and it’ll stop again. Roll back a forth a bit (should be on flat ground, otherwise it’ll tend to turn to go downhill automatically).
Once you’ve got forward and back down (told you it wasn’t hard) try going forward slowly and turning a bit (either with the thumb ring or by tilting the bar of a newer one), it’s very easy. Next try turning while stopped. Very cool, it spins in its’ own length. One can even turn in reverse, though you’ll see the directions aren’t the same as backing up a car (am I the only one who kinda expected this?). Still, it’s very easy. Drive around a turn and have some fun, lean into turns--particularly on the newer ‘leansteer’ models. If you decide to brave a speed bump or ramp remember to hit it straight on. Don’t try to do one wheel then the other on any obstruction, always go dead-on perpendicular.
By now on your ride you will have probably noticed two surprising things: the machine works better and better the more you trust it, and that your feet are starting to hurt. That’s right, in just a couple minutes of riding on a Segway you’ll get what’s known as ‘Segfoot’. It’s surprising, but especially for beginners your feet feel worse riding the Segway then having walked twice the distance or more. I’m told that experience, good footwear and a thick pad (sold separately…) all help. Once you need to give your feet a break and let somebody else have a try you’ll experience the second most difficult part of riding a Segway (particularly the new model)--getting off. Now would be a good time to ride back over your ‘spotter’ with him/her standing in front with hands on the handlebar again. It’s just like getting on, but in reverse. You want to step off backwards keeping the platform level by holding the handle (remember: straight up on the new model). The problems start if you pull the handle towards you or to one side, making the Segway move as you step off. It’s not hard once you get used to it, but the first couple times it’s good to have the spotter there.
That’s the Segway for you, works better than one would think but has drawbacks too. Having ridden several times now I can see how they could be popular for recreation, even to replace a car for short commutes. There are forums dedicated to Segway use complete with a community atmosphere which has get-togethers, group jaunts--called glides, and organized Segway Polo.
But there are drawbacks too. Segfoot is the first you’ll notice, but there are practical limitations that blow much of the initial hype out the water. I can’t see how Segways could ever be practical for Postmen or Police. Security guards, sure. But not somebody who has to deal with stairs all day and certainly not a sworn officer who has to be able to draw and fire a weapon. If you just jump off the back of a new-model Segway it’ll roll three feet forward then fall over--not the kind of distraction Police officers need in addition to the situation they hopped off to deal with. By far the biggest drawback to the Segway though is the perception of others. Not something readers of this site are a Relax The Backstranger to, but even though the device is legally the same as a wheelchair, even though there are handicapped using it for the increased maneuverability and standing position, even though people often use it not to avoid walking but as an alternative to driving, there are a fair number of people who make assumptions. Some of these people then must share their wisdom, even in places known for liberalism and acceptance calls of “why don’t you walk, you lazy bastard” are surprisingly common, and that’s the experience of my entirely fit friend (who has a knee problem, acquired on a bicycle--which is far more dangerous to pedestrians on a sidewalk, to answer a common criticism).
The other problem is the price, and with the new model you have a whole range of accessories you will one day be able to buy, several of which were built into the older model such as a kickstand (that’s right, $5000 and it has to be leaned against something or it falls over face first). Still, it’s a lot of fun to try out, and if you have a short commute it could even be practical, so by all means, give one a try if you get the chance!
Joined: 2007-03-12