Before there was Segway, there was........

[Fausto]

eBike. No one bought these either.

Atlanta would be great for these...use the power to scoot up the hills and pedal the rest of the time, right? They're also a lot cheaper than the Segway (marked down to $545 now for the entry-level model) and won't strand you when they run out of juice since you can still pedal.

How many have I seen around town?

One. A coworker of mine.

 

[notfred]

I've seen at least 2 in Sacramento. And about 10,000 regular bikes.

 

[ElFenix]

i guess... or you could put it in a different gear and pedal yourself on your huffy.

 

[Fausto]

Originally posted by: notfred
I've seen at least 2 in Sacramento. And about 10,000 regular bikes.

I guess my point was that people won't put the cars down until they absolutely have to. Making the leap of faith that most who can afford cars could afford one of these, you'd think those who bitch about gas prices, traffic and smog might give something like this a go. Nope. 🙁

Sacramento and Davis are also anomolies with regard to regular bikes. Most big cities (especially those here on the east coast) don't have much in the way of a bike commuter population.

 

[MustangSVT]

why did segway have such hype?

i thought it was useless pos and so far i havent seen any in streets (chicago) nor i've changed my mind on its pos ttyness

 

[Fausto]

Originally posted by: MustangSVT
why did segway have such hype?

i thought it was useless pos and so far i havent seen any in streets (chicago) nor i've changed my mind on its pos ttyness

Segway is one of those "good idea in a perfect world" kinda things. If everyone could afford one, sidewalks were wide, weather was nice and people didn't live too far from work.......they'd be pretty nice. Just like the eBike tho, people won't switch or change (especially at $5k a pop) unless they really, really have to.

 

[edmicman]

how would any of these things ever replace cars?? what do you do when it rains? or driving in the winter and ice and sleet conditions? how many motorcycles do you see out and about in mid-january in anyplace that isn't warm and sunny year round?

 

[TNTrulez]

Seems they are all out of the cheapo ones.

Select a Color: Qty:
Reg Price Sale
Price:
Standard Model :: Red (out of stock) $995.00 $545.00
Standard Model :: Black (out of stock) $995.00 $545.00
Standard Model :: Red w/ Disc Brakes (out of stock) $1395.00 $595.00

Standard Model :: Black w/ Disc Brakes (out of stock) $1395.00 $595.00

Sale prices available while supplies last!

 

[Fausto]

Originally posted by: edmicman
how would any of these things ever replace cars?? what do you do when it rains? or driving in the winter and ice and sleet conditions? how many motorcycles do you see out and about in mid-january in anyplace that isn't warm and sunny year round?

You get wet and cold. 😉

Seriously, I commute just about every day by bike regardless of the weather and I'll admit that even with a rainsuit and shoe covers on....it still sucks. Most people just aren't willing to tolerate crappy weather when they have a nice warm, dry car they could take. The only reason I do is that being stuck in traffic for 40 min twice a day is far worse than getting rained on, IMO. I may be a tad damp when I get to work, but at least I'm not cranky after dealing with a car commute.

Of couse....this is me. Most people will opt for the car. 😉

 

[edmicman]

good point. heh my 30 min commute would suck on a bike, but traffic isn't bad so i don't have that waiting problem. hmmm i've been curious though how long it would take to ride a bike the 30 miles though 😛 i just gotta move someplace where its nice most of the time and where i'm close to where i work!

 

[Fausto]

Originally posted by: edmicman
good point. heh my 30 min commute would suck on a bike, but traffic isn't bad so i don't have that waiting problem. hmmm i've been curious though how long it would take to ride a bike the 30 miles though 😛 i just gotta move someplace where its nice most of the time and where i'm close to where i work!

I actually used to commute 25 miles each way on occasion at a previous job. Took about 1.5 hours each way (I can average 16-18 taking into account stops for lights and such). Nothing like 50 miles a day to get you whipped into shape. 😛

 

[C'DaleRider]

Originally posted by: Fausto1

Originally posted by: edmicman
how would any of these things ever replace cars?? what do you do when it rains? or driving in the winter and ice and sleet conditions? how many motorcycles do you see out and about in mid-january in anyplace that isn't warm and sunny year round?

You get wet and cold. 😉

Seriously, I commute just about every day by bike regardless of the weather and I'll admit that even with a rainsuit and shoe covers on....it still sucks. Most people just aren't willing to tolerate crappy weather when they have a nice warm, dry car they could take. The only reason I do is that being stuck in traffic for 40 min twice a day is far worse than getting rained on, IMO. I may be a tad damp when I get to work, but at least I'm not cranky after dealing with a car commute.

Of couse....this is me. Most people will opt for the car. 😉

I commuted by bike for over 10 years.....got run off the road, yelled at, spit at, etc. Despite all that, I'd still be commuting by bike if I hadn't moved so far out....that 30 mile ride doesn't seem to appealing especially since there is only one road to work, and it's a 2-lane rural highway in SE GA. Lots of semis and crazed rednecks in pickups too willing to dispose of their empty PBR bottles at riders who are alone.

For the average person tho, commuting by anything else is a pipe dream. Look at all the mass transit systems that are not making a profit. Getting people out of their cars is an impossibility given we love the freedom they provide, damn the gas prices.