Chirru Birru

Segway!

I performed my best George Oscar Bluth impression today. My boss, Jeff, has a Segway (two, actually) and he invited me out to ride, since every time I've seen him on his I've been curious about trying it. Within about 15 minutes I was comfortably navigating at brisk walking speeds. Within an hour I was speeding along at the maximum speed allowed by law (12.5MPH to keep the Segway classified as an assisted-mobility device). I had a lot of fun learning the ropes and pushing the Segway faster, constantly being amazed at how unflappable it was.

All that said, I couldn't help feeling like a bit of an ass on the Segway. Not as big a tool as Gob, but a tool nonetheless. Part of this stems from the fact that on a path littered with joggers, bikers, families, and children all enjoying the outdoors, we were the only people on motorized transport. Strange, geeky, expensive motorized transport. A Segway is probably a horrible tool for meeting women (plus puppies are cheaper and far more effective).

To the Segway's credit, it's clearly designed as an excellent pedestrian vehicle. You're upright, you don't take up too much room, the thing is quiet, and you're extremely mobile, so passing people or getting out of the way is incredibly easy. To the credit of everyone on the path, nobody gave us dirty looks, and several people were thrilled when Jeff offered rides to the curious.

I'm in no hurry to rush out and buy a Segway. On a bike path I prefer biking, and in the city I prefer walking. Now not everyone can bike, and not everyone can walk, and the Segway is certainly better than a wheelchair if you're capable of standing. However I do hope it does well enough for there to be a MKII that's smaller, lighter, cheaper, and therefore more relevant. As it stands, it's really cool, and it truly is useful, but it's still not for everyone. It's on the verge of being something great if it survives long enough for us to let it.

posted by birru @ 8:58 PM