Comments on: Meet Ballard’s highest-tech commuter

By: pavedwave

pavedwave — Fri, 01 May 2009 08:10:15 +0000

if they ever get down to $1000 i'd be more tempted.

By: BallardDINK

BallardDINK — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 23:59:50 +0000

That is so rad. Thanks for the fun story, GS. :)

By: angelatini

angelatini — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 19:54:48 +0000

I haven't seen the “rockabilly poseurs” bit anywhere on here before. Who was saying that? Just curious. It cracks me up since I've been going to the shows for as long as I can remember, and can relate.

By: SeattleRichardson

SeattleRichardson — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 10:24:17 +0000

ahhhh….that's what it was. Thanks!

I see what you mean…it was almost like your were surfing! good stuff!

By: Kindly old Norwegian Lady 82

Kindly old Norwegian Lady 82 — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 09:29:17 +0000

Well when she turns 82, we should have some crommetts and tea. he he he

By: Segway Glider

Segway Glider — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 07:24:11 +0000

Flag me down sometime and I'll give you a lesson. If you can stand up, you can use a segway! :-)

By: SPG

SPG — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 07:23:03 +0000

And yet another alias for another story. What's with the schizophrenic need to be someone else every time you want to say something?

aliases
The
Susan
Ballard Tribune Double Standar
susan
Ballard hippy tea girl
Wrong Meth House. Ha ha
San Fran Pete
Big Fight at Bergen Park
I dont know the lady but..
Meth Heads hate pretty things
Rockabilly Posers are as bad
Just pay you taxes and shut up
Starbucks Arson. Please read
I like Egans
FEMA Camps
Dumb question but..
Thursday Foodbank Panhandlers
Dumb Question but..
Food Bank
Sad story indeed
Take back our streets
The End Of Ballard
The kindly old woman 82
Good Riddance
Kindly old Norwegien Lady 82
Kindly old Norwegian Lady 82

By: Segway Glider

Segway Glider — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 07:22:08 +0000

The bumper sticker on the back says “There is no place like 127.0.0.1″ (translation: “There's no place like home” ;-).

Part of the fun of gliding is getting into the corners – particularly when you get a two-wheel drift going!

By: Bob Kerns

Bob Kerns — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 07:12:13 +0000

Why wait until you're younger?
My mother turns 76 today, and has one.

By: SeattleRichardson

SeattleRichardson — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 07:03:46 +0000

Segway Glider Guy- I just saw you tonight for the first time after reading this….too funny! You were really getting into the corners and quicker than I thought, kudos. The suit is a great touch. Tried to read your bomber sticker but couldn't make out the ip address.

By: Kindly old Norwegien Lady 82

Kindly old Norwegien Lady 82 — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 07:00:29 +0000

Oh, dont pay attention to the man named Silent Kit. He is a looney.

If I ws younger, I might join you and get a Segway myself

By: Trix

Trix — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 05:31:08 +0000

Yeah. Agreed. I see it at Greenlake, there are enough hazards there. But banning them from all bike paths is just stupid.
I'd much rather have a law against numerous adults pushing one stroller. How many people does the kid need, anyway?

By: SeaSpider

SeaSpider — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 04:44:07 +0000

Wow, that ban is idiocy at its finest. I can see not allowing the rentals around Greenlake – that could be a problem for a lot of people – but banning them on all bike paths is dumb. That's like saying we should ban all cars from the road because a few people drive like maniacs. The few Segways I've seen are certainly easier to deal with than the people who insist on walking their dog on a 10 foot leash or people who insist on walking or riding 3-4 abreast and blocking the entire path.

By: nina

nina — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 03:50:44 +0000

Or maybe he's disabled and unable to bike.

He did say why above but none the less…

By: Kiki

Kiki — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 02:10:04 +0000

He is awesome.

By: chopper_74

chopper_74 — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 00:30:15 +0000

Reactionary idiocy…but, that's Seattle in a nutshell ;-) Stay safe, and have fun…if that's still allowed…
hmmm…you don't 'drink and segway' do ya? ;-)

By: Trix

Trix — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 00:25:43 +0000

A few bad apples spoil it for the whole bunch. But it does sound like you're having a lot of fun on your commute.
And how many of us can say that?

By: Segway Glider

Segway Glider — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 00:15:15 +0000

“Why don't you use the Segway on the bike paths?”

State law says that Segways are allowed to go anywhere pedestrians go (sidewalks, bike paths, etc.) – they are classified as “Electric Pedestrian Mobility Assistive Devices” (EPMADs). State law also allows local municipalities to override that law. About 5 years ago, there was a company that rented segways at Greenlake. I am told a number of renters (segway newbies) took them on the bike path around Greenlake and wreaked havoc. Some bicyclists petitioned the City of Seattle to ban Segways from Bike Paths – the city obliged. So – Segways are banned from bike paths within the city limits :-(. It really is unfortunate given that the bike paths are safer than dealing with all the intersections along my commute, I go as fast as many bikes and take up no more space than a pedestrian (24″ x 24″ footprint of the segway). Interestingly, electrically assisted bicycles are allowed on bike paths in the city…in short, it makes no sense -but, it is what it is…meanwhile – I stick to the sidewalks and side streets when in the city. Other segway commuters outside of Seattle that I know get to enjoy the paths. Oh well…I'm still happier than I'd be in a car or on the bus ;-).

By: Midgetina

Midgetina — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 00:05:19 +0000

Why don't you use the Segway on the bike paths? It would be safer (for you and for drivers) and faster, wouldn't it? Isn't it just another two-wheeled electrical mobility device (like an electric bicycle)?

By: Armed Pacifist

Armed Pacifist — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 23:45:29 +0000

You folks won't be happy until we move back into caves and die at the age of 25. The old days were very green too.

By: Armed Pacifist

Armed Pacifist — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 23:43:44 +0000

I've seen it a bunch of times in New York.

Yet again, Seattle is playing catchup but thinking it's ahead.

By: chopper_74

chopper_74 — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 23:28:24 +0000

wow…like a broken clock….right twice a day ;-)

By: Segway Glider

Segway Glider — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 23:24:06 +0000

“Maybe he has some physical limitation that keeps him from running, walking or bicycling – a bad knee or the like. Then it would certainly make sense!”

Nope (unless sweating is a physical limitation). That said, I got into Segways when I bought one for my wife who does have limited mobility -I decided to see what it would be like to commute to work on it…and it stuck (we have 2 of 'em as a result – I didn't steal hers :-)

By: Segway Glider

Segway Glider — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 23:20:20 +0000

Just like standing on the bus: you can move around, shuffle your feet, bend, etc. Locking your knees on a segway over anything other than perfectly smooth pavement is an accident waiting to happen (the first good pavement imperfection will buck you right off).
I find it works best (and is most fun) to approach it exactly like riding a dirt bike or a horse – loose legs, letting it “bounce around” underneath you- with this stance, you can pretty much go full speed over most surfaces and you don't get tired or numb like you would if you were standing rigidly in place the whole time.

By: Segway Glider

Segway Glider — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 23:14:25 +0000

Blue it is…the purple suit was at home on Monday ;-)

By: chopper_74

chopper_74 — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 23:08:05 +0000

lol…well, I'm color blind, (literally and metaphorically), but, I'd guess it's blue…

By: milo dakkat

milo dakkat — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 23:03:51 +0000

One more reason we need another traffic circle on 11th ;-)

By: Joe

Joe — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 22:30:08 +0000

Is that a purple suit?

By: Silver

Silver — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 22:21:06 +0000

Yeah, I've done retail. ;-)

My understanding is that moving around helps circulation. It would be tough on my body if I was confined to one p0sition for an hour or two a day, either sitting or standing. It was tough back when I had an hour bus ride - and then I had the option of changing positions!

I'm sure he knows better than to lock his knees!

Maybe he has some physical limitation that keeps him from running, walking or bicycling - a bad knee or the like. Then it would certainly make sense! Commuting without the car is good!

By: matt

matt — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 22:17:21 +0000

"Wow - how long does *that* take?"

- 7.7 miles from Swanson's to Pioneer Square (google maps "walking" directions)
- 12.5 mph is the segway top speed (from http://www.segway.com/support/faqs.php
- 7.7 miles x 12.5 mph * 60 minutes/mile ~= 37 minutes

The theoretical best case is roughly 37 minutes. In reality you would have some stops though.