Segways...

[VEA]

Simple really... does anyone have one and what do you use it for?

[pits]

IIRC you can't use them on the road in the UK as they don't meet requirements for a road going vehicle, and some old 18/19th/20th century law stipulates that they can't be used on the pavement, from what I understand you can't really use them anywhere in the UK

[EDLT]

I think they are too wide to be used on the pavement, could be wrong though.

[Steve in Stoke]

"The Highway Act of 1835 renders the Segway PT illegal in the UK on pavements. They cannot be used where bicycles can (even electric bicycles) because they do not have pedals - and they cannot be used on the road as a motor vehicle because they do not meet any kind of permitted type approval in the UK. The only place they CAN be used is on private property (and only with the land owner's permission)."

More info here - http://www.legalisesegways.co.uk/

[Bob_Defly]

Oh and the guy who invented them drove his off a cliff not long ago.

[Taffer]

Bob_Defly said:

Oh and the guy who invented them drove his off a cliff not long ago.

Not the inventor; he was the owner of Segway, having bought the company from Dean Kamen, who did invent the Segway. Shame, as he was extremely philanthropic and had helped lots of local charities and Help for Heroes. The company which made his fortune, Hesco Bastion, makes Hesco Bastions(!), used in Iraq, Afghanistan and in many military and civilian applications:

[VEA]

OK, well I should probably mention that I am not in the UK but in New Zealand, the reason I ask is because over the last few days I have seen a number of them around.

Looks like quite a good way of getting around the city!

[nevgroom]

A lot of (non UK) cities use them to run sightseeing tours - I went on one in Annapolis last year - Simple to master and pretty impressive (especially as it was running 110F at the time!)

[Mark.H]

Thai Police use them in Bangkok Airport, I got buzzed by one the other day.

[neenaw]

I've not got one but I'm planning on having a go at the off-road Segways at my local Go-Ape

http://www.go-trax.co.uk/

[FraserLFA]

Mark.H said:

I got buzzed by one the other day.

What does that mean? I wouldn't be so concerned for you, but i've heard things about Bangkok.

[Macey]

[redacted]

[uncinqsix]

VEA said:

OK, well I should probably mention that I am not in the UK but in New Zealand, the reason I ask is because over the last few days I have seen a number of them around.

Looks like quite a good way of getting around the city!

The legal situation here (in NZ) is the same as the UK - they're not legal on the road or on the footpath. The police seem to turn a blind eye though.

I find legs to be a very effective way of getting around the city, with the added bonuses that they work on stairs and that they don't make other people point and laugh at the fat lazy who can't walk more than 200m without becoming short of breath.

[tonyvid]

The park that overlooks Rome has loads for hire, people were zipping about all over the place one sunny Sunday morning before Christmas!

[IanUAE]

My lad and I had a blat on them in Singapore. Took about 2 corners before it became a race around the little off-road test circuit where we rented them from. The wife and sister-in-law didn't look to happy when we overtook them!

[Spiritual_Beggar]

When I see one, I'm constantly reminded of Gob from Arrested Development

[GreenDog]

We're going Segwaying at Slaley Hall in a few weeks time. Got it for £16 for an hour so it seemed rude not to

[Life Saab Itch]

Spiritual_Beggar said:

When I see one, I'm constantly reminded of Gob from Arrested Development

[shirt]

I saw a guy riding one in hull city centre the other day, dressed and hair cut like he lived in hoxton 5yrs ago. easily the biggest bell end I've seen in a long while.

[Mark.H]

FraserLFA said:

What does that mean? I wouldn't be so concerned for you, but i've heard things about Bangkok.

Nothing more than a reference to the noise they make as they come whipping past...oh lord you're gonna get excited again, not that kind of whipping!