Who hasn’t seen someone scoot by on a Segway and stared in awe? Maybe you’ve laughed a little, or perhaps you thought, “where can I get one.” Have you ever done a Google search for “Segway” and found yourself incredibly overwhelmed with the amount of information? If so, welcome to the club! There is a lot of information online about Segways – so much that it can quickly make your head spin. If you ever wanted to know more about Segways, you’re not alone. So, let’s talk about all things Segway. We’ll answer all your questions and more.
What Is a Segway?
The Segway is a one-person, self-balancing, electric battery-powered transportation device that debuted in 2001. In the most basic form, these electric scooters consist of two wheels, a platform, and a handlebar. The electric vehicle is controlled by the rider’s body and how they move their body as they drive the device.
The Segway truly is one of the most innovative creations to date. When inventor Dean Kamen introduced the Segway PT, it was widely hailed as the future of urban personal transportation. Today it is frequently used in entertainment and sports events. They are also often used by police departments in many major cities around the world. Over Segway’s 20-year history, this electric vehicle has been the subject of popular culture and its fair share of controversy. Nearly everyone has heard a story about a reckless Segway driver knocking people down as they terrorize city sidewalks. Despite all of this, it remains a much-loved device all around the world. People remain curious to learn more about these futuristic-looking electric vehicles
The History of the Segway
The concept of the Segway has been around far longer than most people realize. In 1993 Dean Kamen filed his first patent for his self-balancing scooter that would later be known as the Segway. However, he started working on a self-balancing wheelchair as early as 1990. This early prototype, later known as the IBot, was produced with Johnson & Johnson. He continued working on his initial design for several years, and then in 1999, founded Segway Inc. This new company focused on using the self-balancing wheelchair technology to develop a non-medical personal transport device that could be used by anyone. It would be another three years before customers began receiving their scooters. For the next two decades, Segway produced several different models of its one-of-a-kind scooters but never quite lived up to their full sales potential. Throughout this period, the company was plagued with complaints from the public of reckless drivers and injuries coming from glitching software. The company changed ownership several times over this period. In 2020 the company’s current owner, Ninebot Inc., announced they would be ceasing production of all of their more traditional Segway models. However, this is not anticipated to be the end of the Segway brand. Currently, Ninebot plans to focus on producing two-person transport scooters and is also exploring a line of e-bikes. They also continue to manufacture and sell smaller self-balancing scooters like the Segway S.
How Does a Segway Work?
Even though the company has stopped production of the original Segway, there are plenty of units already on the market available for resale. Also there are plenty of copycat companies that have cropped up over the years. Segway has been relatively public about the technology involved in their personal transportation equipment. The scooter uses a number of gyroscopes and sensors to create a self-balancing control system. This system works with two electric motors (one of each wheel to power the device). There is a whole lot of high-tech science in these machines.
Segways are the only vehicles in the world that use lean-to-steer technology. That means that the rider is essentially steering the device by leaning rather than using handlebar movements. When the rider leans forward or backward, the Segway moves in the same direction. When the rider wants to make a turn, they simply lean left or right. The scooter can reach maximum speeds of 12.5 miles per hour and has a range of up to 24 miles when the lithium-ion batteries have a full charge.
Segway Types
The self-balancing technology developed by the Segway company has come a long way since it was first used to improve wheelchairs. The company did not limit itself to their iconic two-wheeled scooters either. Today there is a wide range of options available, including:
- Traditional 2-Wheeled Segways
- Hoverboards (self-balancing scooters with or without a handle)
- One-wheeled gyroscopic scooters
- E-Mopeds
- Electronic kick scooters
How Much Do Segways Cost?
Brand new models of the Segways personal transporters had an average price tag of around $7,000. Much of the company’s problems over the past two decades was this high price tag. However, remember that those models are no longer being actively produced. Currently, the company still manufactures and sells the Segway Ninebot S Series. The price range for these hoverboard-style scooters starts at around $500 and can run as high as $1,000 depending on the specific features of the scooter.
Segway Pros and Cons
The public has developed a peculiar love/hate relationship with the Segway. You either love them, or you hate them (or maybe you love to hate them). Over the past two decades, Segway has seen its fair share of bad press over safety concerns. Yet, despite these concerns, there are still reasons why loyal Segway customers love the scooters.
Pros:
- They are environmentally friendly.
- They are surprisingly easy to ride.
- They have a futuristic design that looks cool.
Cons:
- They can be dangerous for both the rider and other people using the roadway.
- They are expensive.
- They can only be used by one person.
How to Choose a Segway
Unless you are in search of a preowned model, the original Segways are no longer available. However, there are several variations of the Segway S series Segway that Ninebot is still offering. They also continue to offer an ever-increasing range of other electronic scooters. So, how do you know where to start?
First, you will need to know how you plan on using the Segway. Consider how far you plan to regularly travel on the scooter and the type of terrain you are riding it on. Each of these things will affect how far your battery will take you. In addition, Segways come with a variety of wheel types to accommodate a wide range of surfaces, and many have other features like shock absorbers to make your ride more comfortable. You will also need to consider the weight limits of each model, particularly if you plan on carrying anything else with you. Finally, you might also need to think about your own endurance and whether or not a seat is necessary.
How to Ride a Segway for Beginners
You do not need to know anything about the Segway to use one, and most people report that learning to ride a Segway is easier than learning to ride a bike. It really is as simple as keeping your balance and leaning in the direction you want to go. While many first-time riders are pretty nervous when they get started, most riders get the hang of it in under 30 minutes. However, there are some other things you need to keep in mind before you hit the road your first time.
Who Can Ride
The manufacturer’s recommendations for the Segway PT make it clear that there is no standard age requirement. That being said, most Segway tour providers or rental companies request that children be 11 or older. Also, Segway does give weight recommendations of 100lbs to 330lbs, which would suggest they aren’t appropriate for younger children.
The currently available S models are all smaller, lighter, and come in versions specifically for children as well as adults. Since these are more similar to a self-balancing hoverboard rather than the original personal transporter, there is more flexibility.
Where to Ride
Before jumping on a Segway to take it for a spin, you should be sure to check for local regulations on where you can or can’t ride them. In most places, you can legally ride Segways on the sidewalk. However, in some areas, state or local law considers them to be low-speed electric vehicles. When this is the case, they are typically not allowed on public sidewalks. Also, low-speed electric vehicles are usually restricted to roads with speed limits of under 35mph. Since the laws can vary from place to place it is vital that you do your homework before hitting the road.
Basic Safety Precautions
While Segways are generally easy to ride, there are some basic safety precautions that all riders have to think about anytime they are riding in public areas. After all, there is a big reason that these scooters have the public reputation they have gained over the last 20 years. Unfortunately, there is no shortage of stories of reckless drivers plowing into pedestrians in crowded areas. There have even been a couple of rather famous accidents that have resulted in deaths.
Basic Safety Tips:
- Wear a helmet and appropriate clothing. Most riders will find that helmets are required by city or state laws. The official user manual from Segway also indicates that every rider should wear a helmet every time. They also suggest wearing long pants with knee and elbow pads. Falls do happen from time to time and following these guidelines should help you minimize the damage.
- Familiarize yourself with all of the controls before you start riding. Spending a little extra time getting completely comfortable with starting, stopping, and turning can make a big difference. If you don’t feel like you understand how to control the scooter, reach out to someone for help or take some extra time before starting out on a public adventure.
- Watch out for obstacles. Many Segway accidents occur because the driver wasn’t paying enough attention. Some accidents can even prove fatal! For example, in 2010 Jimi Heselden (the CEO of the company at that time) drove his Segway right over a cliff and was killed in the fall. While a similar scenario is highly unlikely, you do want to be certain you are aware of pedestrians using the sidewalk or any other drivers on the road.
- Don’t let go of the handlebar. Keeping both hands on the handlebar when you are riding the Segway PT is vital to maintaining control.
- Watch out for uneven or wet surfaces. Segways work best on firm, even surfaces. This typically means paved roads or sidewalks. But, of course, paved roads are not perfectly even all of the time, so it is important you watch out for potential problems.
Taking a Segway Tour
Just because the Segway PT is no longer being sold doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy riding one. All around the world, companies offer tours and rentals to tourists looking for a unique way to take in the sights. Segway tour companies are everywhere these days and can be a great way to get familiar with a Segway. Most tours provide any necessary safety equipment and also give first-time riders hands-on instruction in getting started. They also typically are already familiar with local regulations that you might have to follow and the best routes to take as you explore the town. Tour companies do set age and weight limits that can vary from company to company, so be sure to ask your tour company about these details before booking a tour.
Segways are a one-of-a-kind experience that the public loves to hate. But these iconic rides have plenty of fans who absolutely love them. While the company has decided to take a new direction going forward, these scooters are still a great way to get around and offer a unique perspective on your trip. If you are looking to ride or even buy a Segway, be sure to take your time and do your research so you can find the right fit for you.