The Tulsa Forum by TulsaNow

Talk About Tulsa => Other Tulsa Discussion => Topic started by: Lister on September 20, 2007, 12:32:32 PM

Title: Segways
Post by: Lister on September 20, 2007, 12:32:32 PM
Anybody have one of them? You know, the two-wheeled scooter type things? I'm curious to hear from someone that actually owns one of these things. I hear they can go 24 miles on a single charge, but don't know about their speed.
Title: Segways
Post by: sgrizzle on September 20, 2007, 12:37:36 PM
quote:
Originally posted by Lister

Anybody have one of them? You know, the two-wheeled scooter type things? I'm curious to hear from someone that actually owns one of these things. I hear they can go 24 miles on a single charge, but don't know about their speed.



I know the Polaris store over off 169 has them and you can try them out there. I've seen many of them and they go pretty fast.
Title: Segways
Post by: Lister on September 20, 2007, 12:53:45 PM
Ya, I may go check it out. The thing is, I have a vehicle, as does my wife. But, I work out of the home and rarely use it. I was thinking if I sold my vehicle and bought one of these it would be good for the environment and save the heck out of gas (even though I don't use much anyway). They're kind of expensive, but if you go to the segway website, they have tons of models - even sport adventure models that are meant for off road. The only problem is I wonder how prone they are to theft. I mean, you can't take them inside everywhere, such as a small convenience store. Thanks for the response.
Title: Segways
Post by: Conan71 on September 20, 2007, 01:24:02 PM
I didn't know if they were still on the market,  I thought there were safety concerns that got them pulled.  How much is one?  That would sure beat having to excercize...[;)]
Title: Segways
Post by: Lister on September 20, 2007, 01:49:28 PM
I don't know how much the off-road types go for, but the consumer street model goes for 5,600 dollars. Ouch! And that's without any accessories like bad holders and such..
Title: Segways
Post by: jne on September 20, 2007, 03:47:23 PM
For that kind of money, I'd want 'good' holders
Title: Segways
Post by: Lister on September 20, 2007, 05:30:53 PM
quote:
Originally posted by jne

For that kind of money, I'd want 'good' holders



You're right! I meant "bag holders." But for that kind of money they ought to be made out of gold.
Title: Segways
Post by: Ed W on September 20, 2007, 06:24:44 PM
$5600 would buy a very nice bicycle, or a perfectly serviceable one with $5000 left over.

Just for fun, I'd like to see a Segway cross some angled railroad tracks in the rain.  I suspect the laser gyros would attempt to keep it upright while a tire was sliding.
Title: Segways
Post by: cks511 on September 21, 2007, 07:57:34 AM
or..one of these:

http://www.scootcoupe.com/index.html
Title: Segways
Post by: cannon_fodder on September 21, 2007, 08:03:51 AM
Segways changed the world!  Neat idea, seriously misunderstood the market.

They do go fast.  The Tulsa Sheriff  has a couple of them they use at the fair and Oktoberfest (1 month away!!!!).
Title: Segways
Post by: sgrizzle on September 21, 2007, 08:26:40 AM
A cop on a segway recently stopped a robbery or something (was in the news). I've also seen them used alot in airports and even at a car dealership  in claremore. I know EMSA has a few also for large events like the fair.
Title: Segways
Post by: Lister on September 21, 2007, 09:25:35 AM
They're really cool devices. I wish they would bring the price down just a bit though. Maybe a used one? Craigslist? hmmmm..
Title: Segways
Post by: Lister on September 21, 2007, 09:28:48 AM
I didn't find any in Tulsa or OkC, but I found one in Dallas for $3,200; this is an all-terrain one, which is what I would like. It says it's a demo model with only two hours usage and is still in the box... This price is a lot more reasonable.

http://dallas.craigslist.org/mcy/398522884.html
Title: Segways
Post by: tim huntzinger on September 21, 2007, 09:38:27 AM
Think about this, the HTV is a scalable technology, so one day we could have semi-sized Segways zooming down the higways with six-foot high wheels!  There is a 'special forces' model that has removed the governor so they can move fast and carry more weight.  I thought it was amazing when San Fransicko banned the use of the HTV on sidewalks.
Title: Segways
Post by: sauerkraut on September 21, 2007, 10:07:56 AM
They are sold in Columbus, Ohio and they also bring up some legal questions that are not clear, and current laws do address the things. Are they like a person on foot? Or do they have to follow the rules set up for wheelchairs or other motorized scooters? The Columbus Dispatch Newspaper had a article about them about 2 weeks ago,There is also another big question about them and it escapes me now that the newspaper story brought up. Anyhow, It may make people gain weight if they quit walking altogether. I guess they are alot of fun to ride around in. I don't know how long a battery charge will last.
Title: Segways
Post by: Lister on September 21, 2007, 11:15:49 AM
Those are good points to consider. I'll have to look into the rules governing those things around here. They can go up to 24 miles on a charge with a person of average weight so a charge could last about 3 or 4 hours if you rode it continuously and not on a hilly terrain, I suppose. They are really neat IMO.
Title: Segways
Post by: YoungTulsan on September 21, 2007, 01:00:53 PM
quote:
Originally posted by Lister

Those are good points to consider. I'll have to look into the rules governing those things around here. They can go up to 24 miles on a charge with a person of average weight so a charge could last about 3 or 4 hours if you rode it continuously and not on a hilly terrain, I suppose. They are really neat IMO.



Im guessing the local rules here are kind of like Bikes.  Expect to be cussed at and have several attempts taken on your life if you get on a roadway with one :D
Title: Segways
Post by: Ed W on September 21, 2007, 03:45:45 PM
I suspect that Segways are covered by the laws governing electrically assisted bicycles, but I can't remember the details.  There's a restriction on speed and power, though anyone with an interest can probably over ride them.  Wheelchair users do this as a software modification.  The electically assisted bikes have age and helmet requirements under OK law too.

Segway made a big push to change state laws and allow their machines on sidewalks.  OK law forbids bicycles on sidewalks in business districts, so it was thought that restriction would apply to the Segway as well.

You have to admire the Segway for getting fat Americans out of their fat cars and onto a device that allows them to avoid walking too!

And as an aside...riding a bicycle in the street is roughly as 'dangerous' as driving a car.
Title: Segways
Post by: shadows on September 21, 2007, 08:44:21 PM
It seem like this came up on the use on sidewalks and made it before the council.  There could be a lot of liability attached to one as a self propelled motor vehicle.   You might find some one in City Legal could point out a direction you could take.  
Title: Segways
Post by: Lister on September 22, 2007, 08:18:44 AM
Thanks for the help everyone. All good advice.
Title: Segways
Post by: sauerkraut on September 22, 2007, 09:17:50 AM
quote:
Originally posted by shadows

It seem like this came up on the use on sidewalks and made it before the council.  There could be a lot of liability attached to one as a self propelled motor vehicle.   You might find some one in City Legal could point out a direction you could take.  


Our local newspaper The Columbus Dispatch (from Columbus, Ohio) about 2-3 weeks ago had a story about them, and at least for Ohio they are in a legal limbo "gray" zone. No laws really apply to them according to the article. Perhaps in other states and other cities they have laws that can be applied to them. As for the Segways I did hear they have brake trouble. They are complex things and run by computer and I guess that's why they cost a pretty penny. I guess they may be expensive to repair when they go bad, and it may be hard finding someone to work on them. Parking should be no problemo since you can take them up into the office with you where you work. I wonder how much they weigh?
Title: Segways
Post by: perspicuity85 on September 24, 2007, 02:46:36 AM
Someone should provide a Segway rental service along the river, downtown, or possibly Utica Square.  In Kansas City's Country Club Plaza, there is a Segway rental service that charges by the hour, with a flat rate for the whole day.
Title: Segways
Post by: Lister on September 25, 2007, 09:57:55 AM
quote:
Originally posted by perspicuity85

Someone should provide a Segway rental service along the river, downtown, or possibly Utica Square.  In Kansas City's Country Club Plaza, there is a Segway rental service that charges by the hour, with a flat rate for the whole day.



That's a GREAT idea!
Title: Segways
Post by: sauerkraut on September 25, 2007, 10:31:53 AM
quote:
Originally posted by perspicuity85

Someone should provide a Segway rental service along the river, downtown, or possibly Utica Square.  In Kansas City's Country Club Plaza, there is a Segway rental service that charges by the hour, with a flat rate for the whole day.

Those things cost about $4,000.00+, No one is going to rent them out without a credit card, and/or deposit and vaild I.D. They would have to set it up the way people rent cars and they would have to returned with a full battery charge.. or so it seems to me
Title: Segways
Post by: perspicuity85 on September 26, 2007, 01:21:14 AM
http://www.segwayexperience.com/tours/kansascity.html

According to the website, the Segways in KC are part of guided tours.  How 'bout a Segway tour of DT Tulsa's art deco district?  Any takers?
Title: Segways
Post by: Noodlez on September 26, 2007, 02:36:56 AM
http://segwaynm.com/

Segway New Mexico also does tours and rentals after you have done a tour with them. On a side note they have some sweet insane off roading and jumping videos on youtube.

And here is a site showing laws for Segways.
http://www.ghsa.org/html/stateinfo/laws/segway_laws.html
Seem in Oklahoma you can ride them on the roads that have a speed limit up to 25mph. Now I wonder if I could manage to get around town that way. (as I don't drive and public transportation is useless)
Title: Segways
Post by: waterboy on September 26, 2007, 07:58:12 AM
quote:
Originally posted by perspicuity85

Someone should provide a Segway rental service along the river, downtown, or possibly Utica Square.  In Kansas City's Country Club Plaza, there is a Segway rental service that charges by the hour, with a flat rate for the whole day.



Sorry. I seem to remember that River Parks addressed the issue when they first arrived and forbid them on the paths except for use by emergency personnel. The paths are crowded enough having runners, walkers, bikers, dogs and strollers. They really had no choice.
Title: Segways
Post by: sgrizzle on September 26, 2007, 08:54:21 AM
quote:
Originally posted by waterboy

quote:
Originally posted by perspicuity85

Someone should provide a Segway rental service along the river, downtown, or possibly Utica Square.  In Kansas City's Country Club Plaza, there is a Segway rental service that charges by the hour, with a flat rate for the whole day.



Sorry. I seem to remember that River Parks addressed the issue when they first arrived and forbid them on the paths except for use by emergency personnel. The paths are crowded enough having runners, walkers, bikers, dogs and strollers. They really had no choice.



With the new paths, those rules might change though.
Title: Segways
Post by: sauerkraut on September 26, 2007, 11:31:21 AM
No, I would not want those pesky things on Tulsa's jogging trails. The trails are for non-motorized vehicles only.
Title: Segways
Post by: tim huntzinger on September 26, 2007, 01:42:24 PM
They are not any more dangerous than spandex-clad morons zipping within inches of herds of water buffalo-like pedestrians.  Anyway, the HTV do fairly well on grass.

I simulate the Segway with my 8mo old, with an arm under her seat and one across her chest.  When she leans forward I move forward, back I go back, turn when she turns her head.  When she wants to go fast she kicks.
Title: Segways
Post by: waterboy on September 26, 2007, 03:26:38 PM
quote:
Originally posted by sgrizzle

quote:
Originally posted by waterboy

quote:
Originally posted by perspicuity85

Someone should provide a Segway rental service along the river, downtown, or possibly Utica Square.  In Kansas City's Country Club Plaza, there is a Segway rental service that charges by the hour, with a flat rate for the whole day.



Sorry. I seem to remember that River Parks addressed the issue when they first arrived and forbid them on the paths except for use by emergency personnel. The paths are crowded enough having runners, walkers, bikers, dogs and strollers. They really had no choice.



With the new paths, those rules might change though.



That's true. Since they are separating the wheeled vs pedestrian paths one could argue for an electric powered Segway to be allowed. The bikes move plenty fast so speed wouldn't be the offense. The hard part for a businessman is the investment of 5 grand to be rented out to the general public.
Title: Segways
Post by: sgrizzle on September 26, 2007, 03:52:17 PM
quote:
Originally posted by waterboy


That's true. Since they are separating the wheeled vs pedestrian paths one could argue for an electric powered Segway to be allowed. The bikes move plenty fast so speed wouldn't be the offense. The hard part for a businessman is the investment of 5 grand to be rented out to the general public.



I predict that will change. Some college students built a clone for under $1000 so segway costs should come down in the coming years.


I think they said you could buy an entry level model for $4000. Even if used only half of the year, you could pay it off in under 2 years at $10/day.