Segway

I purchased a Segway PT a week ago and have been riding it every day since. It has replaced my Subway use in Manhattan, it has sped me up quite a bit in traversing Hoboken, and I have been able to bring it into every store and restaurant I’ve been to except one (more on this later). My initial reaction, as I’m sure many Segway owners have thought before, is of utter shock and joy. Every time I look at the Segway, it looks so cool sitting in my Hallway. Every time I step onto it, it’s like I’m getting onto a device so cutting-edge and new, it turns almost every head for the first time when I pass by them. The Segway PT is an amazing device, and I doubt I’ll ever be able to regret the purchase.

I purchased the new Segway i2, which features lean to steer technology, the Segway’s new method for turning. Previous models (the i1* series) used a knob on the handlebar to steer, and only leaning for forward and backward control. I used an i170 when I was in Paris, as I went on a Segway city tour (a fabulous experience, highly recommended). Ever since I stepped onto this self-balancing scooter, I’ve been hooked. When I first heard of the Segway (back when it was called “it”), I wanted one. Using one in Paris sealed the deal, and now, a few months later, I’m a proud owner.

Traversing the world on two wheels is a little different than walking. I think like a handicapped person: will they have a ramp? Will I have to go up stairs? Fortunately, more and more of the world is handicapped accessible these days. Fortunately, I’ve been able to bring the Segway onto PATH trains, an important feat in order to get into the city on Segway from New Jersey. Since I do not have a medical disability card, I cannot use the Segway in the station or on the trains, so I push the Segway through the PATH system, no questions asked. I even brought the Segway back to Long Island via the Long Island Rail Road (LIRR), and found it no problem. I was asked by a conductor to sit toward the back of the train, and into the handicapped cars, but these requests were reasonable and kept the Segway out of the way of foot traffic that might trip on it. The LIRR had elevators to get both into the station and onto each track, a feature that enabled me to easily push the Segway through the station onto my train.

Another concern is one of a legal/regulatory nature. The Segway isn’t legal to drive everywhere. In New York State, a law has yet to be passed legalizing the Segway (though it was very close to being passed this year). So the Segway in New York is in a legal gray area. However, in New Jersey the Segway is completely legal to use on any sidewalk or road. This was changed back in June 2003 when the state senate and assembly passed this law, effectively legalizing the Segway on sidewalks and roads across New Jersey.

I’ve only encountered one store that refused to allow me entrance on the Segway, CompUSA. I was visiting one in the city to buy a part quickly (I volunteer for a non-for-profit program, and they were having some computer issues that I was tending to). The security guards approached me as soon as I went to take the elevator up to the actual store (the entrance was on the ground level, but the store is up one). I was forced to leave my Segway in the entryway with the security guard. This was frustrating and time consuming. I also didn’t feel very comfortable leaving an expensive piece of machinery in the lobby of a city CompUSA. Needless to say, any places that blackball the Segway are going to be blackballed from my life. No more CompUSA (not that I even liked the damn store to begin with). To date this was the only store that has had such a policy, and every other place I’ve been to has been more than accommodating of the Segway. Restaurants have let me park it either near my table or up front if there is not very much room. Stores have permitted me to enter on Segway. My school is fully handicapped accessible and I have been able to get around on Segway in a fraction of the time I’d be spending walking. Overall this last week on Segway has been a very pleasurable experience. I can’t wait to see how I feel after another week, and another. I don’t think the Segway is ever going to get old. Every time I have to go somewhere, I’m honestly excited. Yes! I get to use my SEGWAY! People’s reactions are completely ridiculous. Being an early adopter has it’s benefits and downsides. I hope to chronicle some of it right here in my blog. I think this will provide a good historical perspective for me (and anyone else who might stumble across this entry) on just what it’s like to ride a Segway in 2006. Expect more on the Segway soon.