Anyone with any experience with the Segway human transporter

[madokie]

can it be ridden in your yard or do you have to stay on flat surfaces.
:shrug:

[MadHound]

1. I have no clue,

But I think that it is an impractical toy. Why not just walk, or ride a bike?

[MarsThe Cat]

4. there are plenty of people with actual handicaps-

who aren't ready or willing to be confined to a wheelchair, for whom segways could make perfect sense.

but i'm impressed by the forthrightness of your subject line, and agree whole-heartedly. :hi:

[madokie]

21. Just got back from an errand

thanks for your concern. I have PAD

[HughBeaumont]

2. Right, because walking or biking is SO 20th century.

You couldn't convince me that ANYone other than warehouse workers need these things.

[MarsThe Cat]

5. what about elderly/handicapped people who use "walkers"...?

a segway might be much more practical.

[thereismore]

8. Oh my, as if elderly drivers who don't notice a dead body stuck

to their windshield wasn't enough, now they are going to segway over people. The scariest thing: NO LICENCE REQUIRED!

[MarsThe Cat]

16. bicycles don't require a license either-

and they can be MUCH more dangerous to pedestrians than a segway.

[MadHound]

11. Actually in many ways it would be less practical

While it would take away the need for walking and make things much faster for the elderly, it would be counterproductive for things like circulation and muscle tone. Walking, with or without assistance, is one of the best exercises that the elderly can engage in, and it is vital to keeping circulation up and muscles toned. Take that away and they will start throwing off clots and become sedentary. Not good for anybody much less the elderly.

[MarsThe Cat]

15. and in many cases it could be MORE practical.

anything that gives more mobility to the less-abled is A-OK in my book.

[MadHound]

18. At the cost of heart attacks, strokes and muscular atrophy

Brought about by no longer walking? Sorry, but that is a horrible idea. Walking, even if slow and painful, is a vital component of any elderly persons' conditioning and/or rehab plan. It is a low impact way of keeping the circulatory system in shape(especially in the legs where most life threatening clots come from) and it prevents muscles from atrophing from lack of use. If you do anything to encourage these two conditions you are doing a disservice to that person. Yes, it might feel better to ride a scooter, but long term it is less healthy than walking, and could in fact be life threatening.

[MarsThe Cat]

22. so i guess we should get rid of wheelchairs too?

wouldn't want those lazy asses who use them regularly to do anything that might give them clots and heart attacks and strokes...oh my!

sheesh.
:eyes:

[MadHound]

27. We're talking two different groups here friend, or at least I thought we

were. It was my impression from your posts upthread that you thought that these would be great for ambulatory, elderly population, not for those folks in wheel chairs. That is what I was directing my comments to.

However I think that this would be impractical for wheelchair bound people too. After all, generally if they cannot walk, they cannot stand for very long, if at all. Thus, lacking the ability to stand would be a severe drawback to the use of the Segway.

And by the by, a lot of folks in wheelchair have to take various blood thinning drugs in order to prevent clots from being thrown. If you put a bunch of people on Segways, they will also have to go on these potentially dangerous drugs also. Again, not a good idea.

The human body was designed to continue to work best while in motion, while getting exercise, even if is minimal. Take that away friend and the body starts slowly but surely shutting down.

[MarsThe Cat]

29. i'm talking about the people who can't walk well-

but aren't ready for a wheelchair just yet.

i have an arthiritic spinal condition that causes me pain with just about every step- but i'm not interested in a wheelchair just yet, seeing as i'm only 44. i get plenty of exercise swimming and riding my bike...but if my wife wants to take a walk after dinner, there are times when i just can't do it...i'm not saying that i, or anyone would/should completely replace walking with 'segwaying'- but there are plenty of times when it would sure be nice to have one.

to just completely dismiss them as useless, unnecessary, or even "un"-healthy is pretty close-minded thinking.

[MadHound]

36. Not closed minded, just looking at the health consequences

And yes, for the majority of people in your situation, I would call them unhealthy. For the majority of people in your situation don't do the other physical activity that you engage in, walking is their only physical activity that they engage in. And whether or not it is painful, they absolutely need to do so for the very reasons I mentioned above.

We have seen how Americans health has plummeted with the advent of the TV and the computer. Americans have become alarmingly sedentary, to the point of a health crisis, from those two technological breakthroughs alone. Now, if they feel they don't even have to walk, imagine how badly our national health will plummet then. Most people don't have the will power to engage in the physical activity that you do. Most will simply think that they no longer have to experience the pain of walking, and will ignore the consequences that such a horribly sedentary lifestyle will bring.

I've got several family members in the health profession, doctors, nurses, PTs, and they all agree that America's sedentary lifestyle is a slow moving crisis that is going to devestate our population. Taking away the minimal physical activity of walking and that crisis will increase exponentially.

[MarsThe Cat]

38. there are a lot of people who end up in wheelchairs-

who don't really have to, but have limited options in regard to getting around. they can't walk very far un-assisted, and there aren't a lot of options in between cane/walker, and wheelchair.
the segway is a great middle-ground for those already infirmed people who are making the segue between walking un-assisted and being confined to a wheelchair.

[MadHound]

40. And if you put them on a Segway friend,

They won't walk at all, and again, be throwing off clots and losing muscle tone. Look, I understand that walking is a painful ordeal for many many people, but the human body is designed as such to make it a neccessary activity. If you fail to do so, you are risking your life. Which would you rather have, a live person who walks slowly and painfully, or a dead one on a Segway?

[MarsThe Cat]

47. i never said that a segway should completely replace walking.

but there are LOTS of people for whom they would be very good for getting around on medium/longer trips...
for instance- i live about 1 1/2 miles from the grocery store- many times it's too long a distance for me to walk round trip, especially if i'm carrying a few groceries with me. i can usually ride my bike- but there are some days where even that is too painful...would you prefer then that i and others like me use our cars for relatively short errands around town? adding to the congestion and pollution?

for someone who claims to have so much medical knowledge in the family- you sure don't know very much about chronic debilitating pain.

[MadHound]

48. Hypothetical question for you friend

You have a Segway, and start using it for that 11/2 mile trip to the grocers. How long before you start using it for your 1 mile trips, 1/2 mile trips, out to the end of your driveway to pick up the paper? You seem like a reasonably active person outside of walking, but there is a huge percentage of people in this country who aren't, and before you know it, that is what will be happening. And as the old saying goes, you don't use it, you lose it.

And it will frustrate me no end watching people die from thrown clots simply because they wouldn't walk when they could have.

[MarsThe Cat]

50. i guess we should ban long-haul air travel as well then?

no need to have an airline industry when it might cause people to get deep-vein thrombosis.
and we'd better get rid of the red-meat industry while we're at it- seeing as to all the health problems that stuff causes...
and we'd better scrap all the regular old computer keyboards out there- those things can cause carpal-tunnel syndrome.
motorcycles and cars have to go too- considering all the unhealthy aspects of their existence.


it's supposed to be a FREE country, where EACH PERSON gets to make their OWN decisions about how they live their life, and how they get from point a to point b.

[MadHound]

52. Did I say anything about banning them, or outlawing them

No, not a word. Yes, I wish they weren't around, I wish they didn't exist, and yes, I think that you're foolish if you use them. But hey, if you want to buzz around on one, that's your business. But don't come whining to me when a clot winds up causing you a stroke that paralyzes your right side.

What I am saying is to take these risks seriously, and check with your doctor, preferably a heart specialist, before you go gung-ho on these things. Sorry I offered such common sense advice.

[MarsThe Cat]

65. you might consider it advice...

but it definitely isn't common sense.

[MadHound]

66. Then I guess we'll have to agree to disagree on this one

Cheers

[madokie]

51. Geezas you so thick

Three months ago I could walk half again as far as i can walk today. Trust me I'm not the sedimentary type. Your argument is so HOLLOW and SHALLOW. stfu already

[MadHound]

53. You know, as much as you wish it wasn't

This is a free country, and I can discuss the detrimintal side effects of a sedentary lifestyle as much as I care to, no matter how much you tell me to stfu. Tell you what, if you want me to stfu, how about you providing some evidence that a sedentary lifestyle doesn't lead to blood clots. But of course you can't, so like others here, you resort to personal attacks and ad hominems. Not good form at all friend.

Thus probably the best we can do is agree to disagree on this issue and move on, OK?

[madokie]

55. Can I ask you a question, do you know what PAD is.

the symptoms etc. If you understood what a person such as I and many others live with you would not be so brass.

[MadHound]

58. I can only type so fast

I provided you answer downthread.

[madokie]

59. Look this is so important to you, give me an answer

do you know what pad is.

[MadHound]

62. I gave you answer downthread, check post #70 Geez friend n/t

[madokie]

35. madhound

geeze. I personally can stand for hours but can only walk short distances, geeze have a good day.

[MadHound]

37. Geez, check with your doctor

If you stopped walking, even the minimal amount that you do, you are increasing your risks for heart attacks, strokes, and loss of muscle tone in your legs. Geez, sorry for bringing up the health risks of leading a sedentary lifestyle friend.

[madokie]

45. You know you don't know sh

I had no intention of stop walking. I only inquired because I have a legit reason. In contact with my doctor regularly, he made mention of it. so sad.

[MadHound]

46. No, I don't know shit, just what my physical therapist, RN, med tech

General Practice Doctor, surgeon, and cardiac doc tell me. Nawww, I don't know much at all:eyes:

Look pal, its your life, if you want to see it end at fifty from a thrown clot in your leg, hey, go for it. Don't even see that heart specialist first, OK:eyes:

[GirlinContempt]

54. My grandmother has osteoporosis

And because it's slow and painful to walk around, she doesn't really go anywhere. Because it hurts her to, and she's terrified of breaking her legs again.
Most of the people in her seniors block are the same way.
So, how would enabling her to get around more comfortably be a dis-service?

[MadHound]

60. My mother, the RN, has similar problems

Rheumatoid arthritis, along with Parkinsons. Yes, it is slow and painful for her to get around, but on the advice of her doctors, and her own knowledge of medicine, she still walks as much as she can stand. She also goes and swims a couple of miles a week. You have got to keep the circulation in your legs up as much as possible. The majority of clots that are thrown out in the body originate in the legs, and keeping those muscles active lessens the chance of a deadly clot.

[GirlinContempt]

63. See, and

when she first went in when her femur snapped, they told her to walk, and her leg broke again while still in the hospital.
She keeps getting hairline fractures, and the Dr has told her to walk as little as possible because it's painful and could cause more fractures or even breaks.
She was laying on the floor of her apartment, unable to stand, and it took her 4 hours to get at the phone and call 911 for help. I really don't like to think about that happening again. Putting more stress on her bones than is absolutely necessary? Bad bad idea.

It's not always cut and dried. Let people choose for themselves.
What you're saying is basically like recommending everyone go on the same meds as you because they help you out so much. While it might be good for lots of people, theres a huge group of people who can't/shouldn't go on them.

[MadHound]

67. No, what I'm saying is that people should check with their doctors

Before they just decide to live life on a Segway. That is what I have consistently said throughout this thread. That, and that there is a serious risk of throwing clots from living a sedentary lifestyle. What works for most people may not work for everybody, that is why I keep emphasizing to check with your doctor, or doctors.

[GirlinContempt]

72. Well, I never saw any of that

in what I replied to

[MadHound]

79. Then perhaps you should read all of the posts

Not just cherry pick from one:shrug:

[GirlinContempt]

81. Uh huh

I didn't 'cherry pick' from one, I read a few. And then stopped cause they all pretty well said the same thing.

[MadHound]

82. Uh huh. "I read a few", says it all right there. Cheers, peace n/t

[GirlinContempt]

84. You're funny

[MadHound]

85. Just calling 'em as I see 'em. n/t

[GirlinContempt]

86. What exactly are you calling me?

:shrug:
Whatever it is, it's clearly not enough.

[MadHound]

87. I'm not calling you anything

I'd rather use logic and reasoning rather than ad hominems and personal attacks. But then again, apparently that's just me:shrug:

[MarsThe Cat]

74. and when has anyone on this thread advocated...

living life on a segway?

they're something that can be used when needed by people with chronic problems that limit their getting around.

earlier in this thread you strongly implied that anyone who might consider using one to augment their mobility is nothing more than a lazy ass...there are A LOT of people who disagree strongly with that small-minded sentiment.

[MadHound]

78. Well, considering that many people in the reality based world

Are using them as toys, as a replacement for walking, even they are perfectly able bodied, then yes, they are lazy asses. And for those cases that we've talked about concerning people who aren't able bodied, I have strongly recommended that they discuss the dangers inherent in not walking with their doctors, for there are, whether you choose to believe me or not, real dangers in not walking.

[MarsThe Cat]

94. "strongly recommended" hahahahaha....

whatever you say doc....:rofl:

if blood clots are such an inevitable danger to the non-ambulatory- why do so many of the wheelchair-bound seem to live so damn long...?

you just don't seem to understand that there is a phase between being able to walk moderate distances, and having to become wheelchair bound- that particular niche is the market for whom segways are the perfect solution.
and for MANY of those people- they'd be better off using a segway to get to a pool and do some swimming, as opposed to walking for exercise...people with knee/hip problems, for instance- are much better off getting their exercise thru swimming, rather than walking- which can be rather jarring to fragile joints..

[MarsThe Cat]

68. and when your mother can't stand to walk another step that day...

what does she do?

That's when the segway would be the thing to have.

[MadHound]

70. She keeps walking friend.

She has a high tolerance to pain, just as I do. And her doctors recommend that she keeps on walking.

[MarsThe Cat]

75. good.

i'm glad to hear it.

[ChairmanAgnostic]

10. the police in O'Hare and Midway aerodromes are getting them

as are meter maids in Chi-town.

there are tons of uses. But, no, just like the personal computer, the cell phone and other useless inventions, only six are really needed for the whole country.

[MarsThe Cat]

17. they'd be great for mailmen as well.

i'm all for metermaids using them too- hopefully it will mean MORE parking tickets issued per shift.

[melm00se]

43. BWI Airport

the patrol officers at BWI zip all over the place in these...better than the golf carts that other airports have beeping all over the place

[Ravenseye]

56. Postal Carriers?

Seems to me that they'd be great for mailmen, able to carry more mail around with them up and down streets, making delivery faster and more efficient.

[leftofthedial]

3. the bushturd is an expert

ride 'em cowboy!

[Benhurst]

6. Yes, obviously they are a hazard for

drunks.

[Ilsa]

12. Bush* should be charged with DWS

Driving While Stupid.

[johnaries]

44. You should never drink and drive... n/t

[displacedtexan]

7. I took the DC Segway tour last summer.

Guides were very careful to keep us on smooth sidewalks.

[ChairmanAgnostic]

9. the big wheels hand dirt, bumps. grass, tar, even mud.

The thing works like a charm, and our postpersonages are starting to use them.

Only a besotted shrubmonkey could fall off of one.
Oh wait. one already did.

[zbdent]

19. The representative said that they can even climb small stairs

but that one's iffy, in my opinion.

[ChairmanAgnostic]

95. the creator has a version intended for paras and quads, and it CAN

climb stairs, stand up and allow someone to reach high, and do tons of other stuff.

problem is, it wasn't a bush donor who wanted the patent. Guess why the FDA is delaying.

[madokie]

31. Thanks, so maybe possibly foraging for mushrooms, etc.

that would be great, this last spring I didn't get to look for morel's at all.

[donsu]

13. I'm really surprised by the animosity toward using Segways?

could one of the negative posters tells why the negativity?

[MarsThe Cat]

23. same here. there seem to be a lot of bigoted attitudes about them.

i don't get it.

[Name removed]

24. Deleted sub-thread

Sub-thread removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Ron Green]

26. I've got a generally negative feeling about it,

because it's a move away from sustainability. I agree with the posters who advocate walking for older people. A wheelchair is safer because the user isn't required to stand. Most people should be human-powered, as on a bicycle.

I'm aware the Luddite view said such things about the personal computer only a few years ago, but I think this device is different, and generally unnecessary except perhaps in a warehouse; even then a bike is better.

[yella_dawg]

14. I think there's an offroad version.

Really. Bigger, more gnarly tires. I can't remember why I think this.

However, this is what you need: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B00067F1CE/qid=1132070920/sr=8-2/ref=pd_bbs_2/103-3888186-0498237?v=glance&n=507846

[madokie]

49. After the beating I've taken today over this

I doubt I'll ever be able to look a segway in the eye again. I just need something to help me personally and I thought the segway may be the answer, but

[zbdent]

20. Mrs. ZBDent actually got to try one out.

She has cerebral palsy, no balance. Walks with canes.

I ran across a guy on a Segway, found out he was the local dealer.

Took her down to try it out. (too expensive for a toy right now).

She actually was able to use it (in the office), and she has NO BALANCE. It would be good, but it is just wayy too expensive right now.

[madokie]

25. I guess I should have not asked

I have PAD and the distance I can walk is getting less and less. I just thought the Segway may be a step I could take before the chair. that's all.

[donsu]

28. don't let the negative posters stop you from looking into using one

their negativity reasons don't make sense

[grasswire]

30. I know someone who owns one.

He has post polio syndrome and his mobility is limited otherwise. He likes it an awful lot. Doesn't use it always, just in situations where a lot of walking is involved, such as going camping. It works on trails and on the beach.

[madokie]

32. this is the response I was hoping for, Thank You

:toast:

[MarsThe Cat]

33. and there are those here who would deny him that mobility-

because the segway is an evil and un-healthful contraption that should be banned from the planet...

I'm all for anything that gives the less-abled more freedom and mobility.

[jayfish]

34. Cool Little Concept

http://www.segway.com/centaur/

Make sure to watch the video.

Not here as of yet, but it's a cool demonstration of what the technology is capable of.

Jay

[AngryAmish]

39. Be prepared to lose your dignity

Impossibly dorky.

[madokie]

41. So being able to walk only very short distances is cool

bring out the horse and buggy

[MarsThe Cat]

42. how is it any "dorkier" than a wheelchair? or a walker?

i guess that the infirmed/less-abled have no "dignity" then?

[no name no slogan]

57. My great-great-great-great- granddad used to drive one, back in the day

here he is

[madokie]

61. .

[Scout1071]

64. I rode one last year and had a blast.

I would recommend taking one for a test drive at the very least.

[madokie]

71. Thanks

soon as I recoup from the bruising I've just taken. Heaven forbid some may need some assistance.

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

92. If you had specified in the first place your reasoning...

I seriously doubt anyone would've given you a hard time. Using a segway because you need to and using it because you want to are vastly different circumstances.

[seemunkee]

69. I would think it would be great for you.

The whole concept of the Segway came from the wheelchair developement that Dean Kamen did. Have you seen the chair? It can go up stairs and raise up on two wheels to bring the user up to a standing persons height.
http://www.independencenow.com/ibot/

The guy is a genius. He invented the iBot chair, Segway, portable dialysis machine, and the first infusion pump that are the basis for inusulin pumps.

[madokie]

76. At this point I'm really not ready for the chair

so I thought the segway would be a good alternative in the meantime. I lose my foot and part of my leg somewhere down the road the doc tells me so I just want to put it all off as long as I can. I like to go do things that today I'm unable to do. something as simple as trolling around the yard enjoying the outdoors. Thanks

[seemunkee]

80. I understand, and didn't mean that you should consider the chair

I just find the technology fascinating.
Are you in a large city where you might be able to rent one for a trial?
http://www.segway.com/shop/locator/

[madokie]

89. Me being a technology nut for years find it fascinating also

Some how my thread degenerated into nothingness. Guess I'll have to try again another day. I think it just might be the berries for me. My bad.
:toast:

[grasswire]

93. remember that you stand on a Segway

I honestly don't know how it would be with a prosthesis, as you lean the way you want to go and some feeling in the foot might be an essential part of that sense. I'm just speculating here. The company may well have considered adaptability for people who've lost an extremity.

A person on a Segway attracts a LOT of attention. My friend is continually stopped by people who want to ask questions or even want to try it. He likes the attention.

[madokie]

77. self delete double post

[Xithras]

73. Don't use it on slippery surfaces.

The Segway maintains its balance by changing its direction of thrust to counter any falling motions. If you get one on a slippery surface, they can't counter that falling motion and...well, they FALL.

So yes, you can ride it on your lawn, but not when the lawn is covered by wet leaves. You also need to look out for ice and slick mud (mud of any kind really).

[Skelington]

83. What does it cost? And can it be maintained by the average person?

[mokawanis]

88. Assface falling

>

(apologies if the pic doesn't work)

[madokie]

90. That took away their claim early on that anyone could ride one.

[AnarchoFreeThinker]

91. Keep the buffers clean or your signal will rematerialize in deep space.

Of course you can always lock your pattern into a recyclying loop like Scotty did and live for 80 years without the pattern degrading. Make sure you compare transporters before buying one, though. Some do not gaurantee complete extremity reproduction. Read the fine print!