On Wed, Jan 01, 2003 at 12:07:45PM -0500, John D. Giorgis wrote:

> You can't take a Moped onto the Metro/Subway, but I bet that you
> probably could take the Segway on the Metro/Subway.  That would be a
> huge advantage in my book, given the vast amoutns of walking required
> to see the sights in downtown DC, as well as eliminating the 10-30 min
> wait I have for the bus to take me the last 1.5 miles to my home on my
> daily commute.

You can take a fold up bicycle on the train. And you can get
a decent one (Dahon) for less than $500, or a really nice one
(www.bromptonbike.com) for less than $1000. That's 10% to 20% of the
price of the Segway. A bike is faster than the Segway (a bike can easily
go 20mph, the Segway's top speed is stated to be 12mph, but if we are
talking top speed, the bike can surely double the Segway's top speed
even with a rider who isn't in the greatest shape). The bike weighs
about 1/3 what the Segway does, which is probably more important than
most people think: stairs, curbs, etc. will often require lifting or
carrying either transportation device. And the bike has a greater cargo
capacity as it stands (theoretically you could put panniers on the
Segway, but it remains to be seen how well that will work). And with the
bike you get some low-impact, high-quality exercise.

So, why is the Segway a better value? I think it has the coolness
appeal, which will sway some fashionable or thrill-seeker types for a
year or two, but long-term, will it really make a difference? I'd bet
against it.




-- 
"Erik Reuter" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>       http://www.erikreuter.net/
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