KLAS-TV Channel 8 News Las VegasIs Segway Scooter Worth the Hype?
(Sept. 12) -- You may have heard of the Segway. It's an innovative two-wheeled electric scooter that's like nothing you've ever seen. It's being touted as a vehicle of the future.
Consumer Reports Tom Mutchler just took a look at this electric scooter to see how well it works. He rounded up some eager Consumer Reports staffers who wanted to give the Segway a go.
"Okay. Now just let it balance you," Mutchler instructed the co-workers.
The scooter balances on two wheels and responds to body movements to go forward and backwards.
"It has five gyroscopes that help keep it balanced, and it has a pair of sensors that sense your body weight," he explained. "If you shift your weight forward, it goes forward. If you shift your weight back, it goes back."
The Segway is steered by a handgrip that you rotate to change direction. Most people found the Segway is pretty easy to ride, but it did take some practice.
"Once you get used to the feel of it, it kinds of gets a little easier," said one rider.
"Once you get your balance down, then you're set," said another.
The Segway also turned out to be a lot of fun.
Mutchler tested the Segway on different surfaces like sidewalks and grass. It did pretty well.
"The Segway can go over small bumps pretty easily, but larger potholes or big branches or slippery surfaces, it's best to get off and walk it around," Mutchler said.
The Segway can't ride up curbs, so to cross streets you'll have to get off and walk it.
"It's a very well-thought-out, well-made product. But then again it should be 'cause it's $5,000," he said.
Consumer Reports says before you get ready to spend that five grand that's burning a hole in your pocket, be aware: San Francisco has already banned the Segway from local sidewalks, and others are considering it. They are allowed on sidewalks in Nevada.
