Fast Talk

Segways still aren't necessarily friendly on crowded sidewalks, and definitely not on crowded streets. It makes sense if you work within a small vicinity and need to get around (i.e. getting around a university campus), but there needs to be a strong advertising and marketing push to get this product mainstream.

The WSJ reports that Segway sales have risen to an all time high and that the company expects sales this quarter to jump 50% from a year earlier. Although unlikely to become an overnight sensation, or a huge trend ever, with a rising awareness of environmental impact, and with costs skyrocketing, it's really not surprising that sales have increased. Read the full article here: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB121357738002676071.html?mod=2_1571_topbo...

Gas prices could reach a billion dollars per gallon - the American public will never consider the Segway a viable replacement for the car. People simply aren't willing to spend over $5,000 for a machine that is hazardous to pedestrians, that you can't use in inclement weather, and that can't go over 15 mph.

Riding a segway the 40 miles it takes me to get to work over highways and railroad tracks is not an option. My family and I moved to a smaller town with less expensive housing after having my son two years ago, but we had to make a trade off. Pay $3000 a month or for the same set up we have for a little over a $1000 we could commute. A Segway is only an option if you are living in downtown, midtown or the immediate area of your work place. For people like me it is not an option.

I think we are "there." My husband and I bought scooters. In addition, when I have to drive, I make sure I "bundle" my errands, chores, and meetings.

I can take alternatives to driving very, very seriously. But Segways are the kind of thing that would get you beaten up in Middle School. Now apply that to a congested intersection...

These alternative green machines may not be serious alternatives, but still something to consider. (www.fastcompany.com/multimedia/slideshows/content/greenmachines.html)

I don’t know much about Segway — how fast it could go and if it even comes with a trunk — but I don’t think it could ever be a car replacement. It would only be an option for a short commute within the neighborhood, or on a college campus.

Gas would have to be completely unavailable. You can't get anywhere safely on one on a city street, much less a freeway on a Segway. If you are going somewhere close by, why not just walk and get some exercise, for crying out loud??

Sales of Vespa Scooters have tripled. Americans need a wake up call in all facets of how we live economically. Corporate greed, Americans greed, living beyond there means, government mis-haps and I need a Fendi bag and I make 20k a year mentality. I'm thankful gas prices and a paradigm shift has happened, always seems to take extremes for humans to learn. Wake Up!!!!

i think the people that are still stuck in the "i need gas" mentality need to save their gas money and visit other countries besides the states. It seems like everyone else has and have already been awakened by high gas prices. find alternatives that are better than what you are doin now... even if it comes down to carpooling (gasp).

A segway is not a practical alternative to a motor vehicle in most situations. When you have to tote three kids off to school you need a car...or at least a golf cart. Speaking of golf carts, Global Electric Motorcars makes a street legal electric vehicle that can tote up to six passengers and can be enclosed. Now if only they were suitable for North Dakota Winters. If it is any consolation, I have taken to dropping off my kids at daycare, which is about 1 mile away and then biking the five miles to work instead. GEM site: http://www.gemcar.com/

Some of us have taken the issue seriously for years and I am of the opinion that regardless of how empathetic I am concerning the situation, my situation hasn't improved! Regrettable as this may sound, one size does not fit all communities. The Segway is neither cost effective nor an efficient use of resources for some communities to invest in that kind of infrastructure. So we will continue paying higher prices for gasoline and employ other alternatives to offset what we will never realize in our lifetimes. Bummer, ain't it?

Inertia is big in any society, but in some, more than in other. Obviously, US has to learn that Small is the new Big and the Train is the new Car, the small portions of food are the best portions of food, etc. I don't know about the Segway ... I think that this concept is above the level of futurism/social stamina US is up for in the XXI century (unfortunately).

Oh, one other thing: the Segway, as well as most of the products out there, is not for Everybody. There is a well defined population (lifestyle, mindset) that this transportation alternative might be suited for, but other things like pricing, infrastructure, etc. come into play when making a decision.

The Segway...Let's look at it two ways: First, is it a short range, not very fast mode of transport. So it can't do the distance. If you're in a situation where you could use a Segway, you could probably walk (and fight the American obesity epidemic at the same time) or use public transport more efficiently. One thing that people don't consider with many of these new fuel-efficient modes of transport is that much of America is commuting significant distance out of suburbs...even the Segway doesn't address this. Secondly, how is the Segway any different in terms of carbon footprint unless you're charging it from a solar panel? If you're plugging it in from an outlet and your municipality uses natural gas or coal for power...then you're just shifting the type of CO2 you're creating. So we ask the more important question...how much could we reduce CO2 emissions and limit environmental impact by using the Segway? At the same time can we save some coin at the pumps? Also, it still conjurs images of a really big security guard at a mall on it...which makes it a lot more difficult to take seriously.