Nail on the head!

Have you ever attempted to ride one of these devices? I have and walking is much easier and faster! I can understand how the person who invented them died riding one. They were never safe.

Some people use anything the wrong way, that is not the fault of that thing they are using.

Matti,

Not according to their lawyers and their multi-million dollar class-action lawsuits!!! Not to mention the American juries that fall for such 'twinkie' excuses!

Living causes serious injuries. Babies should come with the words "proceed at your own risk" clearly printed on their foreheads. Maybe then people would stop blaming everyone and everything when something bad happens.

#1.4-That happens, a lot of money could be saved by not having those cases, where there is not so much sense.

I am from NH and they allowed the use of segway on sidewalks. Reason being, that Dean Camen is from NH and is kind of a big deal, so you know....politics and stuff. The things are a menace to foot traffic and pedestrians. THEY DO NOT BELONG ON THE ROAD THEY DO NOT BELONG ON THE SIDEWALK! THEY BELONG ON A GO-CART TRACK. PERIOD!

When are people going to be able to start thinking beyond ..GEE WHIZ and GOLLY!

I don't see how these are any more or less safe than a simple skateboard. It doesn't make sense to compare ER visits from these to pedestrians being hit by a car. One of them is self inflicted, the other is someone else hitting you. It would be better to compare them to skateboard and roller-blade ER visits.

Regardless, I still maintain the #1 danger of a Segway is looking like a complete tool.

First... the OWNER of the company died riding one... NOT the INVENTOR. That dude just bought the company in 2008.

Second... with everything you do there are injuries... ask this author to find out how many bike messengers die or end up in hospitals... Or this.. how many pedestrians are nailed by falling airconditioners in Manhattan alone (look it up its huge)

And Third... and this one makes me the craziest... the article says 41 people were reported with injuries between 2005 and 2008... so... thats less than 11 people a year.... 10 to 24% of THEM were admitted into the hospital with injuries that warranted treatment... so thats like 4 or 5 people (again over 4 years)?? and then it goes on to say that 4 of those people went on to intensive care?!? Over the course of 4 years? 4 people. And this is something we should all be worried about? really? Skateboarding and bikes and motorcycles are now safe... but hey.. these Segways are death sentences on wheels??

The article continues... with a spike of injuries in 2007.... 8 people. ??? am I the only one that thinks this is crazy reporting?? I have to wonder who's writing this article and what their agenda is if out of millions of people in Washington DC 1 person a year is injured so badly they need intensive care.

The reason the original owner sold it was because the car industry squashed all of his attempts to make these sidewalk or bike lane legal. It became a grey area and too expensive to fight in court. Even the post offices were going to use them in an attempt to speed up service and lower maintenance costs! and the car industry and the fuel industry had it squashed. This article is a continued attempt at removing them from the streets.

I completely agree. Whoever the author was on this article should be FIRED!!!! His reasoning behind this is so minimal. So what if couple of people get injured.... People get injured just walking a straight line sometimes...... @!$%# HAPPENS!!!!

Millions of people in this world and this author is pointing out 24 people that got injured on segways in the last 4 years......... What an idiot!!!! Go find another job or something and leave the editorials for the real editors. You're a JOKE!

Just because a handful of idiots didn't know how to control this segway doesn't mean that it's unsafe. The number that the author mentions is SO MINIMAL that I can't even believe he would use that to back up his horrendous article. He's making it sound like it's a matter of life or death.

All I have to say to that is, if you're too stupid to ride a segway without falling off that hard to the point where you end up in ER, then you should at all times have a helmet on like a retard!!!!

THIS IS ABSOLUTELY RIDICULOUS!!!! I wonder what the ratio is between people with Segways getting injuries and the average bike rider (Yes pedal). The fact that people can't stand on there own feet let alone ride a Sagway is not this worlds fault!! If it was our god forsaken media that had the choice, every toy on the market would be withheld due to being to dangerous. Now a very good man died yesterday unfortunately riding one of his investments, and our stupid media and is trying to put a damper on the sales of these!! EAT SH*T MEDIA, YOU SELF CENTERED LYING BASTARDS!!!!

It surprises me that most people read this article and just didn't get it. The accidents reports (aside from the death of the new company owner) occured in DC. Has anyone on this board ever been to DC? The article states people wreck on these things by running into trees. OK, now put 1 and 1 together and you see the obvious problem and solution. Problem: DC is loaded with picturesque scenery (monuments, museums, etc.) Solution: Tear down DC so that people can ride their Segways without all those distractions! Problems solved.

LOL..... Start with the White house.....

Now now Moving, that will piss off all the tree huggers. Guess we'll have to install air bags on these, and start a mandatory riders course, and helmet laws, plus add ridiculous insurance rates for ridding one. Hmm yep guess congress better get started on those useless laws

What if we evolved into a segway-centric society? For example, what if the sidewalks in New York City were predominately covered with people riding these 'new fangled,' contraptions? There would need to be speed limits, like you can't go faster than .02 mph, sidewalks will become the streets of tomorrow, with rules of right of way etc,... and the street will become tomorrows autobahn,...

My point is it'll never happen,... because the pedestrians will kick them into the street, for speeding, and the street's are already too crowded!

Hey Johnny, if we're talk-in N.Y. City I think they'll use old rely able a Louisville Slugger to knock them to the street.

Now now Moving, that will piss off all the tree huggers.

Not the "tree huggers". Just anyone who is interested in American history, art, aerospace, world history, and books. You know us silly educated people.

Bicyclists get injured. But they also wear helmets, and those lycra shirts really help prevent road rash. I can testify to that. Most bicyclists get injured seriously at pretty high speeds, far above what Segways will do. I watched a gal in front of me eat the pavement at 30MPH going down a steep hill. We thought she was toast, but after an ER visit, she's fine, just bruised and minor scrapes. She had a helmet, a Camelbak pack and a full lycra suit on with gloves. Together, that protected her remarkably well. She also has great reflexes, which doubtless helped. I watched this same gal 2 years ago hit a patch of totally slick, wet-algae pavement and do the most incredible fishtail set ever without going down. She tucked and rolled, and did ok.

I've seen lots of bike accidents, and been in some myself. With a helmet, you do alright usually. To break bones, I had to be going downhill around 40 MPH and hit a kamikaze cat that took me down. Segways don't come near that.

Segways are operated by non-athletes with poor reflexes, who don't wear a helmet, don't wear gloves with padding, and regular clothes. Those Camelbak packs really help a lot if you land on your back too, and I've yet to see a Segway rider wearing one.

Ride a bicycle or a Segway at the same speed, and if you crash, you'll come out better on the bike if you have a helmet for sure. It's also less likely you will crash in the first place.

We don't care about what you watched some woman (whom you clearly have a crush on) do.

Compare it to Bikes, Skateboards, Rollerblades, scooters, razors, jogging, walking while chewing gum....

Not people being hit by cars....

You can die in a car/skating/biking accident just as easily(h*ll, you can die choking on food).

The bottom line is: if you want to play, be prepared to pay. Life isn't safe.

People should just stop trying to be too "civilized", and realize that we have it easy, compared to our ancestors.

We have no real predators anymore(besides other humans) that are out looking to make a meal out of us, ambulances arrive fairly quick, and almost everyone/almost everyplace has cell phones to call 911.

This is a total non-story.

If everyone is so worried about it, then make all Segway riders wear helmets on public property/sidewalks/streets.

Wow. Didn't they market these were "uncrashable"? They said the "gyros" counteracted whatever and ALWAYS balanced you! What a crock!

Matti,

I competely agree with you. Like guns, some peope don't realize that the longy thing is suppose to be pointed at someone else, not them.

I know a guy who just died in a skateboard accident going downhill, got out of control, veered into traffic and died. Mmm, shall we outlaw skateboards too? Require licenses? Or just outlaw poor judgement by all of our citizens?

What the heck was guy doing going down a hill on a skateboard. There's no brakes on skateboards...... Anyone that does that is stupid for not knowing what's going to happen..... There's no reason why anyone on a skateboard needs to go that fast knowing that there is no brakes!!!!

Some people just don't have very good reflexes(no matter how much they exercise/train to improve them).

Others are naturally gifted with better-than-average reflexes, and never worked out a day in their lives.

it's healthier.

Segways are not wheelchairs for the elderly. Nor are they bicycle replacements for our children. NOt that it matters, both of those things can kill you too if you misuse them.

Segway PTs don't replace walking. They replace driving. We use ours to go to the gym which is a little too far to walk on a hot Florida day. Besides, we don't have time to walk that far. Takes too long. We'd rather walk on treadmills or elipticals in air-conditioned comfort.

I also do daily grocery shopping at our store which is half a mile away. I don't want to walk back lugging 20-30 lbs of groceries.

By "gliding" instead of DRIVING I'm reducing traffic congestion and pollution--two design goals set by the inventor.

Former British facing driver Stirling Moss rides a Segway on Sept. 12 during the Eco-Car event in The Mall, London, which is part of Prince Charles's initiative to raise awareness of green and sustainability issues.

Felt the same way. Walking would have been cheaper and greener.

Yeah it would be cheaper until you all sat your fat asses in the gym in the a/c to not sweat which you should be doing walking in the outdoors! Oh you are so green! Lazy and stupid!

Daniel, I couldn't help but laugh at the ridiculousness of your explanation. You're going to a gym but you're too lazy to walk to that gym. Why do you even exercise?!

Dan,

I am assuming your post is a joke if not that is just sad.

Why would you ride to the gym just to walk/run on a treadmill? Also if you are into exercise why wouldn't you bike to the store? It's funny how a fat ass like me who would never exercise thinks the segway is stupid. It is slow and small. it replaces walking and biking. I can't see it replacing driving for most people. Or if it does it just replaces driving in the way you discribed.

Having spent almost my entire life in Florida, I understand Daniel's comment. The normal daytime temps of 90-95+ degrees plus near-100% humidity are brutal. Nighttime temps are still in the 80s. Too hot for exercise! Heat stroke is very common in Florida; outdoor exercise there can be less beneficial and more dangerous than in other parts of the country.

For both Reggie and Gia - Depending on a person's condition it is usually not advisable to walk to the gym and then work out on a hot Florida day. Hot Florida days can get to around 100 degrees. People like you are the ones who go out on a hot Florida day then end up in the the ER with heat stroke. Don't be so quick to criticize people you do not know. Just one more example of what is wrong with our society. In reference to the article these people who are ending up in accidents are replacing walking or driving with a segway. They would still walk into a tree or run someone over because they are not paying attention to the environment around them.

Segway PTs don't replace walking. They replace driving. We use ours to go to the gym which is a little too far to walk on a hot Florida day. Besides, we don't have time to walk that far. Takes too long.

Gee I wonder what we did before the Segway came along. Oh that's right, we rode a bike. But hey, why spend a few hundred dollars on a bike when you can spend a few thousand on a Segway.

By "gliding" instead of DRIVING I'm reducing traffic congestion and pollution--two design goals set by the inventor.

Sure the Segway is really environmentally friendly. Well until the batteries stop taking a charge and need to be disposed of anyway.

I'm sure these excuses seemed perfectly logical in your own mind as you were trying to convince yourself how much you "needed" one but come on, you didn't actually expect anyone else to buy into them did you?

I am amused by people who choose to drive to the gym to exercise and/or to the park to walk or jog. (A woman I used to work with was complaing about how far she had to walk after parking at the YMCA; headed for her aerobics class....) If more people rode bikes or walked instead of hopping in cars we would A) save money B) reduce air pollution and C) have less weight problems.

DanielSw,

How much did it cost for the toy and how many miles have you used it???

Then you can tell me how cost effective/Green they are.

Anything that uses more energy to preform the same function, is not SAVING the environment. They are RAPING the environment for EGO enrichment, they are the problem, not the solution.

Some of us drive to the gym because we live in FL and are prone to heatstroke in the hot sun. I have actually had heatstroke twice. The first time was at the very beginning of putting up hurricane shutters for one of the many storms in 2004. The second time was when my sister kept pushing my daughter and me to exercise in the sun long after we had begun telling her we were really, REALLY thirsty. I have to be really careful in the heat.

I Can see the image now~~~~Fade-out.. ~~~Fade-in to a guy on a Segway thinking he's so cool, He's riding a segway, all happy about his minimal Carbon Footprint, and how "Green" he's being, and then he looks up and thinks "Hey, What's that in front of me? It's Tall, and looks like it's brown, and it has this green stuff all over it, and .. I Wander what that is?" WHAM!!!!! Head-long into a tree at 13Mph!!!OMG!!! I Hit a tree!!! It's all the Segway's fault, because I'm an idiot! I should have been able to drive my Segway, without having to use a single brain-cell and be able to devote all my attention to my iphone porn!!! ~~~Fade-out... .. ~~~Fade-in to reality. He was a farking IDIOT!

You're trying to liken a few idiots crashing Segways to the oil spill in the gulf? Are you serious....?

You sir, and an idiot.

John you are an idiot, and you need to go slap your parents. The guy clearly said his post was satire. Sigh! Too bad you're an American and can't read. The few that can read, fail then to understand! But you can take solice in the high probability that you're religious. Those that can't read or understand are always pious and one of the faithful. That's the kind of fish that religion was designed to catch.

If that was satire, it was pathetic! Satire would have looked more like this: the president calls for a freeze on segway sales until the cause of all crashes can be determined, becuase whats most important is the safety of the american people - yet, doesnt call for a freeze on drilling after an oil well blows and threatens the safety of the american people (and the food they eat).

"dont shut our oil rigs down, people got jobs riding on them"...

I mean seriously, who really cares if the oceans turn black...we need them oil jobs!

John you are an idiot, and you need to go slap your parents. The guy clearly said his post was satire. Sigh! Too bad you're an American and can't read. The few that can read, fail then to understand! But you can take solice in the high probability that you're religious. Those that can't read or understand are always pious and one of the faithful. That's the kind of fish that religion was designed to catch.

You're right about most Americans' reading comprehension, but if you're going to complain about it, at least use spell and grammar check. Otherwise you look just as stupid as the person you're correcting. Just to start you off, it's spelled "solace."

Yeah, its really great how you worked a jab at President Obama into your post. You are truly a master at satire.

You know I heard that this fall all the meteorologists predict the temperature is going to drop dramatically; can you figure out a way to blame that on Obama too?

hey jukeoff...thanks for not LOLing at your own oh-so-clever-and-witty satire...now you have an extra LOL you can use for your next certain-to-be-hysterically-funny-even-if-you-say-so-yourself joke

Can't we all just get along??

Why do people have to bring politics into a story where it doesn't belong? Of course, you got to have the stupid grammer police on here as well! TYpical!

If you don't like the "grammer police," ( spelled grammAr ) why don't you make an attempt to LEARN even a little bit of spelling?

Or, you can try proof reading before you post.

Or, you can try what I did and Read A dictionary.

Or, you can continue to show that you are ignorant.

hdrider - I did that on purpose just to annoy people like you!!!!!!!! Get a life!!!!!

This is a freaking message board! It doesn't have to be 100% perfect!!!!! I hate online English teachers!

Chitown Matt: "

You know I heard that this fall all the meteorologists predict the temperature is going to drop dramatically; can you figure out a way to blame that on Obama too?"

Not yet but I'm workin' on one!

Its obama's fault!

That's why the number one safety rule from our government is simple and applies to everything. The Rule? Watch Out For The Other Guy!!!!

First of all, if you're too stupid and uncoordinated, you shouldn't even be on a segway where it requires you to use self balancing. I just don't understand who is this uncoordinated???? The segway technolody does 99.99999999% of the thinking and balancing for you...... that's the big technology behind segway, but if for some reason, you still can't seem to figure it out, then go buy a wheeelchair or something.....

The reason these schmo's were on Segways in the first place was because they couldn't balance on a bike or pair of skates.. LOL. Personally, I think its darwinism at its finest..

You are totally incorrect with your stated points. The machines are very safe and a majority of states in the US have specific legislation allowed their use in public areas.

Matthew, DanielSw is 100% correct: Legislation was passed in 43 states specifically allowing their use.

http://www.ghsa.org/html/stateinfo/laws/segway_laws.html

Mathew,

Since nobody has ever had their foot cut off by a Segway, then everybody in the world, starting with your children, should place you in the public square and laugh at you. THen they should ridicule your parents for raising such a stupid child! Oh well, your parents are probably in hiding now anyway. The only solace for us here Mathew is that if you ever had a clue, it died of loneliness! Back to church for you. Pray hard, because God is the only one willing to listen to your ranting. What? You're not religious? Oh, sorry, my bad. Get back to your Tea Party meetings then. You've got a busy busy schedule spreading, gossip, lies, and complete falsehoods that only you absolutely believe in.

You may not like it, but Mathew is correct at least about one thing - those machines move too fast for a sidewalk and too slow to be on the road. They may not harm an adult if they hit him but they ARE a danger to children, pets, and the disabled who simply can't move out of the way fast enough. And second, nothing with a motor belongs to a sidewalk. PERIOD. As for being too slow to be on the road, that should be self-explanatory. The states may have allowed them - and I highly doubt that happened without the company laying somebody's pockets - but if you check you'd find out that most of the rest of the world has had the common sense to ban them from all public roads and sidewalks.

I agree 100% with Gia - excellent point. By the way for those of you whom judge it being "ok" and you have not seen these Segways upclose....trust me, I have! They may seem harmless and a little slow, but they are fast! Also, Ellen Degeneres got hurt doing a segment on one of these things!

Another lazy (and dangerous) piece of machinery that I have to look out for my kids on - great!

Kevin, thak you for posting FACTS about Segway usage instead of as some people do and just blabber off emotions and unsubstantiated facts.

I myself don't use one of these devices because my balance sucks, I know it does, and I need to walk my fat a$$ anyways. But I have a friend of mine that uses his on a daily basis. He used to spend $200 a month on gas because where we live most places are either to far to walk yet still kind of a waste to drive. Now he spends $80 on gas. So yes I would have to say that he is being more economical with one and greener since he uses his solar powered house to charge the thing. He always rides it fully clothed with a helmet. Most of the idiots that ride motorcycles around here can't say the same thing.

hey robeson, good job getting solace right this time dip sh1t! how about u quit hating on everyones comments and religion(which u bring up for no reason) and get a life u phuken troll!!! FTW

LIFE is dangerous!! If you don't want any danger in your life, live like a vegetable in a plastic bubble.

I think even dubya fell off a segway...

Canada:
-Ontario recently enacted regulation codifying that the Segway PT is not a motor vehicle and use is permitted on sidewalks and roads by certain market segments

Austria – Approved in June 2004 to operate in bicycle lanes and pedestrian areas where bicycles are allowed.
Belgium – Under legislation passed in March 2007, the Segway PT is allowed to operate on cycle lanes up to 18 kmh and in pedestrian areas/pavements at walking speed. Classified as a “moving device” and exempted from vehicle requirement.
Czech Republic – As of June 2004 allowed to operate at walking speed in pedestrian areas.
France – In January 2003 the Segway PT was approved to operate on pedestrian ways up to 6 km/h during experimental phase.
Germany – The Department of the Interior and the Department of Commerce in the German federal state of Saarland carried out the first study of Segway PTs in Germany. The study resulted in recommendations to classify the Segway PT as a new device called “electronic assisted mobility device” and allow it to operate on bike paths with no speed limitation and in foot traffic areas at walking pace. Based on the results, approval by Federal authorities is anticipated. In the meantime the states of Saarland, Hamburg, Bavaria, Hessen and North Rhine-Wesphalia have issued pre-approval permits to allow Segway PTs to operate in their jurisdictions.
Hungary – In an April 2002 letter the Ministry suggests use in pedestrian areas and cycle lanes.
Italy – In 2003 the Segway PT was approved to operate on pedestrian ways up to 6 km/h and on bicycle lanes up to 20 km/h during experimental phase.
Greece – In July 2005 Segway PT were exempted from type approval legislation.
Netherlands – The government has commissioned an independent organization to assess the rules on how the Segway PT can be integrated into existing infrastructure. Results and contents of the regulations are anticipated by October 2007.
Portugal – Segway PT are exempted from type approval legislation as of June 2006.
Spain – Segway PTs are currently allowed in pedestrian areas/sidewalks at walking speed (full integration in traffic law already announced by Ministry of Home Affairs – ref. letter 31 October 2006)
Switzerland – Following successful performance tests, type approval legislation is being amended to allow Segway PTs to circulate on public space.
United Kingdom - Segway PTs are currently classified as mopeds, therefore use on public roads is conditioned to moped type approval. There are ongoing debates in the House of Lords concerning the need to develop legislation for new technologies including those presented by the Segway. Recent meetings have been very positive and it is hoped that there will be more progressive discussions concerning the relevant legislation.

Anymore questions about how OTHER countries have banned them? That was as of 2007. I Am still checking for additional laws since then.

oops! found some more OTHER COUNTRIES!

Israel: as of 2006 Segways may be used on sidewalks and all other pedestrian designated locations, as well as on roads that either have no sidewalks, have obstructed sidewalks or have sidewalks lacking curb cuts. The user must be over 16 years old and does not require a license. The maximum allowed speed is 13 km/h (8.1 mph), enforced by electronic restriction put in place by the importer, who in turn must do so in order to obtain the import license for the vehicle

Denmark: the Segway is classified as a moped (knallert). As such vehicles are required to be fitted with lights, license plates and mechanical brakes, the Segway is effectively banned from public roads.^[40] Recently, a trial where the segway would be classified as a bicycle has been announced running from 2010-06-01 to 2010-10-01

Ireland: In Dublin Segways can be rented in the Phoenix Park, the largest urban park in Europe, and to visit the Docklands area.

Netherlands: In April 2008, the Dutch Government announced that it would ease the ban it had imposed in January 2007 that made it illegal to use a Segway on public roads in the Netherlands.^[44] Until recently, a tolerance policy was in place due to the inability of the authorities to classify the Segway as a vehicle.^[45] However, certain handicapped people, primarily heart and lung patients, are allowed to use the Segway, but only on the pavement. From July 1, 2008, anyone over the age of 16 is permitted to use a Segway on Dutch roads but users need to buy custom insurance.^[46] Amsterdam police officers are testing the Segway. In Rotterdam the Segway is used regularly by police officers and city watches.

Portugal: Segways are legal on public paths from age 18 (and below, when accompanied by adults) as an equivalent to pedestrian traffic^[47] and are used by many local police forces (Polícia Municipal),^[48] and by Polícia Marítima (a Navy unit), for beach patrolling. They are also used (rented) by tour operators across the country.

So While in some countries it is still a niche market of use (Tourism, Sightseeing, etc.) its still legal in many other countries and therefore your statement is unfounded.

Righteous post!

oh no! You got hurt learning to ride a bike?? BAN THOSE EVIL MONSTROUS TORTURE DEVICES!!!!!

What really requires study is the flying cones. Those can probably hurt a lot more than just Segway users.

"A rubber street cone flew in front of her Segway, causing Drohan to fall."

I Wonder what species of flying cone it was? And did she try to sue it for flying in front of her like that??

People can't balance on public stairwells. I demand we outlaw all stairs in all public buildings around the world!

Geez, this is journalism.

Note for the stupid. This was satire. Note for the stupid. This message is being repeated because most of you miss it the first time. This was satire.

Disney employees zip around the various parks on them, and now I'm told they're also offering Segway tours to visitors, after a short course on safe use and signing a waiver releasing Disney from responsibility for visitors' stupidity. Also, all tours are accompanied by guides, also riding Segways. Despite the waivers, I'm sure the ambulance chasers are hovering around, just waiting for the first accident. Just hope it's not fatal.

I have taken the tour at Disney World and half of it is spent training you how to use the Segway safely. You don't leave the classroom until they are assured that you can operate it fairly well. Anyone who is having some trouble is escorted and monitored closely and usually by the end of the tour is doing just fine. [You always have the option to drop out.] You wear a helmet--like riding a bike--and they have guides that precede the group and that follow the group to keep an eye on you. Plus, they use a "key" that turns the Segway on in a mode that limits the speed at which you can "glide". I had a great, fun and safe time (I bumped a curb once but nothing happened because I was going slowly to negotiate a turn) and would love to own one.

Common sense is so rare it ought to be declared a super power.

Awesome response KT 80! You're absolutely right.....people don't use the sense (brains) God gave them!

Really? You're going to try to blame all of these problems on smoking Pot?

Wow truly Genius ~~~NOT!!

Shaq has one. Kind of blows your stupid theory out of the water, doesn't it? And Jackie Chan, he's a distributor of the Segway. I'm wondering what kind of brain injury you have.

tombones, It must be nice to know you are such a superior intellect. I'll bet you fell off your skateboard more than once because of your "athletic skills"

Yeah! The "Security" @ our mall has one! Since I started seeeing him on one his behind has gotten bigger! How can you depend on someone like that!

What a prick, tombones. Truly. And clueless to boot. I've been using a Segway for about 4 years now as a handicap device. Had I known how much fun they were before I got sick, I prob'ly woulda bought one sooner just for the pure enjoyment.

Too many of these responses to this article are as idiotic as yours. To begin with, we still don't know if the Segway had anything to do with the guy's death. He coulda had a heart attack and fell off the cliff - which would have happened even if he was just hiking along that cliff's trail.

In many states the Segway is regarded as a pedestrian. And as a handicap device, I am allowed inside buildings, on sidewalks and have never been told I couldn't use it on trails, paths, bike lanes and along the roadway if it was the only avenue available to me. Although the thing can go 12.5 miles per hour, it can also go zero and everything in between. Only a fool will go faster than the situation allows.

In 4 years, I have never bumped, hit or run over a person. My dog ran in front of me once and I ran over his foot, but he didn't even limp over it. I have taken a spill or 3, but not because the thing is dangerous, but because I tried to do something it wasn't capable of doing.

I don't wear a helmet or any other "safety" gear. I wear a backpack with my oxygen in it. That's enough for me. It's not against the rules. Some of you really need to do a little research before you start slappin' your keyboard. It's too damn bad the author of this article has decided that this dramatic exaggeration of facts is good writing. It's even worse when so many people believe this crap.

wow, aren't you the bright one of the bunch.. I bet your mom called you sun!

How do we know the Segway isnt the problem? It doesnt really say what the problem is in the article?

Nobody is suggesting a ban on Segways; they are only stating that people do get hurt on these things and it may be more common than anyone thinks.

ChitownMatt... So what if it is the problem.. (which I doubt) machines have problems now and then, you going to live in a plastic bubble in a padded room the rest of your life? Everything has risks, some take more than others and everyone should be held accountable for there actions.. not a piece of machinery.

Weinerneck,

If the gyroscopic system that allows the thing to balance on two wheels is "having problems now and then" and pitching you face first into the pavement, then I think this is a perfectly newsworthy article. Consumers have a right to reasonably expect a product will function as it is advertised to do.

"everyone should be held accountable for there actions.. not a piece of machinery." I'm sorry but every court decision in our country's long history disagrees with your moronic statement.

I would like to see a direct comparison with other forms of transportation.

In the accepted method of, serious injury and/or DEATH per miles operated.

Then people could judge just how SAFE these are.