Patrick Sun
Senior HTF Member
- Joined
- Jun 30, 1999
- Messages
- 39,660
Can these be modified as golf carts?
Can these be modified as golf carts?Oh, crap! You just found the Segway's target clientele! Install a beefier motor, add a golf bag attachment, mount some grass-rated tires on the thing... Just perfect! And since many golf players usually have tons of money to burn on their hobby, they'll just pick one up at the overpriced pro shop and ride off into the sunrise!
1) A Segway is too fast for sidewalks in busy areas.Err, a Segway's speed is controllable. You can go as slow as you like. Furthermore this whole "SUVs for sidewalks" thing is silly. Everyone needs to ride a Segway before making blanket claims that they're bad, evil devices intended to harass and maim pedestrians. I have yet to ride on one, but from what I understand, it is difficult if not impossible to run someone down with this thing. Sorry, but Segways aren't going to be attacking pedestrians. They work fine in crowds and are no more dangerous than another pedestrian. People can run a lot faster than 12mph, so you can't claim the Segway's speed is a safety issue. If it were, then we should outlaw running on sidewalks, too...
For city folk, you might want to get across town faster than walking all the way there, but riding a bike on the sidewalk is just way too clunky.Hee hee. Sorry, I can't help laughing at the naivete here. There is no way in hell I would ride a Segway down a NYC sidewalk (or street, for that matter). It's tough enough to navigate through the pedestrians, tourists, cars, taxis, buses, loiterers on foot as it is. I get my shoulder bumped and my feet stepped on almost daily. I can't imagine the chaos that would ensue should thousands of Manhattanites get Segways. Talk about a nightmare.
Alright, let's not go attacking folks HT setups here for cost/benefits.Not attacking, just showing that it goes two ways here. You can't engage in an expensive hobby and then slam others for doing the same. There are an awful lot of people in this thread talking about the "fat rich lazy snobs" on their Segways who forget that normal society considers Home Theater a hobby for - you guessed it - "fat rich lazy snobs".
It's like people on a BMW message board ripping the "rich Porsche owners" for "wasting money on stupid expensive toys." It just doesn't make sense.
Most drivers are so terrified of hitting a biker that they're pretty cautious around them.Says who?! I lived in Philly for 5 years and most motorists ignored me on my bike, and rollerblades for that matter. Hell, one lady hit me in front of the art museum when I was in-line skating. I became a much better bike rider and in-line skater because I needed to avoid so many vehicles cutting me off or not seeing me.
I can't believe the criticism the Segway is getting from people that probably never tried one. I checked out that Segaway forum, and found a video of a local news channel interviewing one of the owners. He got rid of his car and uses it to commute to work. He saves over $600 a month now.
The "use a bike" argument is weak. Maybe people don't want to exercise before & after work, showing up sweaty and smelly? If people really want exercise, they'll do it some way or another.
And I agree with the poster who pointed out about people spending money on HT equipment, yet think $5000 on Segway is a waste. Seriously, who are we in this forum to criticize people for being lazy when our toughest activity is pushing a button a remote? :b
History has shown people have a problem accepting new things. I guess this thread just goes to show history always repeats itself. My question is, will we ever learn from history?
Mike D.
The fact is that most US cities/suburbs don't have the infrastructure to handle them, i.e. frequent recreational paths.This isn't a fact. It's an assertion based upon your belief that Segways should be banned from sidewalks due to their speed.
My point isn't to pick nits here, but to question the FUD (fear, uncertainty and doom) the anti-Segway crowd is gleefully spreading around. Yes, we should treat any new technology or idea with skepticism. But that should be informed skepticism.
What I'm seeing is two camps: 1) We hate the Segway because it goes too fast (would everyone be happy if it topped out at 8 MPH? If so, do you think it's unlikely the top-end will be slowed down on consumer models if speed becomes a concern?) and 2) We hate the Segway because either we or the users are elitists.
It's true that the hyperbole of Segway enthusiasts is premature at the least and silly in the extreme. But I hardly see how this is different from anything else. An evening's worth of TV will inform you that Verizon cellular service will make your family closer, DaimlerChrysler will save your soul and Coca Cola will help racial harmony.
-j