“Why does everyone hate these so much? I’ve never seen one in use. Seems like a good alternative for commuting – I don’t know about anyone else but I don’t walk 6 -12.5 mph and I can’t easily ride a bike in a skirt and don’t want to get all sweaty getting to work either. It seems like a good green alternative?”

GREAT QUESTION, AMY. I stopped reading the comments because not seeing any solid arguments based on any intellectual assessment. I skimmed through emotionally aggravated reactions by those with a bias against something they seem to know little to nothing about.

It is indeed a green alternative. They’re easy to control, and if allowed, can be used or parked indoors. Folks at my gym said I couldn’t bring it indoors, so…I did. I parked it indoors and asked them to look at how well it fit in. They’re now re-thinking it. A lot of the resistance has to do with fear of the unknown and fueled misperceptions such as those here.

The Segway is simply an alternative pedestrian vehicle. While the comments are humorous, the ignorance about this alternative green transporter is sad. With proper training and use, which takes minutes to master, it’s a very efficient and safe way to get around.

My Segway allows me to zip through New York City, then into my apartment. I don’t have to pay for gas nor parking. Parking in my building’s garage is $200/month. Car and motorcycle maintenance are expensive, so $5,000 for a Segway comparatively is nothing.

MOST of the time I do WALK, hop the subway or take a cab because I fear that thieves will jack my Segway. I only use my Segway when I can take it indoors with me or keep an eye on it.

A white chick who walks

I doubt anyone in Iowa want or owns a Segway, with the possible exception of some sniveling, pencil-neck liberal at one of the state universities, who motors around in a tweed jacket with suede elbow patches, with a pair of Harry Potter spectacles clinging precariously to the tip of his nose.