tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28822395.post8962071141298431678..comments2023-04-02T16:30:43.855-04:00Comments on Before I Sleep: Segway vs. Other Forms of TransportationMatthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09261194958149097177noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28822395.post-57935133207117605622008-06-26T03:03:00.000-04:002008-06-26T03:03:00.000-04:00Anonymous (identify yourself!):• If my commute was...Anonymous (identify yourself!):<BR/><BR/>• If my commute was longer, my legs would get slightly tired, yes. I don't much like riding the Segway over 5 miles, but a lot of people commute 10, 12, even 17 miles one way on it. It's definitely less tiring than riding a bike uphill.<BR/><BR/>• Electric bikes are another solution, as is BionX, which is a very interesting bike add-on. But electric bikes don't offer the same thrill as riding a Segway. Commuting on a Segway is FUN. I'll ask you again: Have you ever ridden one?<BR/><BR/>• Replacement batteries are expensive. Over a grand. So yes that definitely adds a major cost to the Segway, but you only need to replace the battery after several years if your range is no longer sufficient. Lithium batteries don't just DIE; they no longer hold as much of a charge.<BR/><BR/>• I'm not sure which "vid" you're referring to. I haven't taken a video of my commute. There was one video I took of a 2-mile jogging loop I do sometimes, which actually has an insane 16% incline, but you can't even tell it on the video.Matthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15735718470496028866noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28822395.post-14364970060759219882008-06-23T22:49:00.000-04:002008-06-23T22:49:00.000-04:00Matt, Thanks for the response. Apologies if I've m...Matt, <BR/>Thanks for the response. Apologies if I've made you 'defend' things again, but really... I don't know why you do this, to be honest. Hope I'm not being a pain by rsponding here.<BR/><BR/>As a biker, I can uderstand not wanting to sweat just fine. I think we are clear on that.<BR/><BR/>If your commute was longer, wouldn't you want to sit down? You didn't answer that. Also you completely ignore electric bikes, which offer no-sweat along with the choice of pedal power when desired, so you're not limited to the battery life on a Segway. All for less cost. Why Segway over elctric bike?<BR/><BR/>Your car comparisons are definitely valid; I don't think anyone here argues it's cheaper than a car. But verus bike, no contest. Anyway, my point was you need to account for battery replacement costs in your 'savings'. Any idea how much replacement batteries are?<BR/><BR/>Most people travel longer distances to get to work than what you did, which I would argue would make the Segway impractical for most trips, staning up all that time, not to mention battery limitations. Also can tell me which parts of your vid are hilly?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28822395.post-52151771904157676772008-06-23T21:08:00.000-04:002008-06-23T21:08:00.000-04:00Thank you Di and Celsus. It can be tiring defendin...Thank you Di and Celsus. It can be tiring defending my choice. But I will try once again, for Anonymous's sake:<BR/><BR/>1. Insurance: Good point. The Segway doesn't require any insurance. So actually this goes in the Segway's favor. I have a car and pay insurance on that regardless of whether or not I own a Segway, but for people without a car that's another big point in the Segway's favor.<BR/><BR/>2) Maintenance costs: I didn't include those because they vary so widely based on how rough one is with a Segway or car. Yes you have to replace the battery after a few years if you want to keep the 20-mile range, but you also have to do maintenance on a car -- oil changes, new tires, things break, etc. Ultimately it's too tough to compaer because there are too many variables, but a Segway beats a car in this regard. It does not beat a bike, however, which you are correct has very low maintenance costs.<BR/><BR/>3) Biking in the Summer: Dude. Trust me. Biking in 90 degree heat and humidity in DC SUCKS. And I don't always want to have to get a major workout (lots of hills here) just to go to work. And I don't want to have to shower and change my clothes. Don't you understand that?<BR/><BR/>4) Enthusiasm: I take it you have never ridden a Segway. You can't appreciate how insanely awesome it is until you actually ride one. There is just no comparison to a bike. I have both and it is MUCH more enjoyable to ride on a Segway. There is a reason almost everyone who takes the plunge ends up becoming a Segway disciple!<BR/><BR/>5) Security: It attracts tons of attention being locked up outside but it's very secure. I lock it to a pole with a U-lock, and I set the alarm. The Segway will only start up with the Bluetooth key that I have with me at all times. Without the key, it is impossible to start the thing. If someone did manage to cut the U-Lock, the Segway would shake and beep as soon as they tried to move it, and the wheels lock so you can't roll it. It's over 100 pounds and very awkward to pick up. So unless they have a van waiting and two guys to throw it in, the Segway is secure. Plus even if they did take it, they could never ever start it.<BR/><BR/>Bikes are fun but Segways are awesome.Matthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15735718470496028866noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28822395.post-73311297102741721182008-06-23T04:14:00.000-04:002008-06-23T04:14:00.000-04:00qMatt, wonderful blog, wish I had known of it when...qMatt, wonderful blog, wish I had known of it when I was trying to decide whether to buy a Segway. I purchased one regardless and I enjoy it, but your situation seems very well suited for its use. I'm inspired by your enthusiasm and can relate to most every aspect of your writings. It is exhausting, however, to read and respond to the detractors, such as the recent posting by "anonymous," but you do a great job at that as well. Keep up the great work...Celsushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12706247959626553025noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28822395.post-73796946413073568942008-06-22T04:20:00.000-04:002008-06-22T04:20:00.000-04:00Hi MattJust wondering 1) why you don't factor Segw...Hi Matt<BR/>Just wondering <BR/><BR/>1) why you don't factor Segway insurance in your comparison of transport modes.<BR/><BR/>2) why maintenance costs (battery dies after several hundred charges) aren't accounted for in the Segway. There may be other maintenance costs but I think it's fair to say that a bike would come closest to the ideal of zero or very little maintenance cost with some basic precautions (oiling, not skidding constantly, adjusting brakes).<BR/><BR/>3) biking in the summer. I don't get how a change of shirt or pants is a big issue if it's that hot. Is this really a logistics issue? I can carry that easily in a very very small backpack and change in the toilet in 2 minutes. <BR/><BR/>4) I watched one of your vids and it didn't look hilly or sweat-inducing on a bike to me but I could be wrong.<BR/><BR/>4) Your enthusiasm is good and all, but I've gotta wonder if you work for Segway sometimes! I just don't know why you'd go through all that and am a bit suspicious of any real benefits versus bike, frankly. Don't you want to sit down on your trip sometimes? If your trip was 3 miles more, wouldn't you rather take the bike? I'm guessing most people travel further to work than this, so I don't know if it's such a realistic proposition standing up all that time.<BR/><BR/>5) I'm very surprised the Segway hasn't attracted more attention being locked up outside! Can you talk more about the anti-theft deterrents on the thing? <BR/><BR/>All in all, I see way too many negatives with the thing versus a bike, but I do want to learn more.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28822395.post-86315650527295554602008-06-19T13:42:00.000-04:002008-06-19T13:42:00.000-04:00I agree with Matt. The irony is that these transpo...I agree with Matt. The irony is that these transportation issues are so complex in DC BECAUSE there are so many options... bus, train, bike, walk, drive, or any combination thereof. Despite the issues, it's infinitely cheaper and less stressful to use public transpotation or a bike/Segway in the city (once you work out your routine) than it is to have to get in the car every day and drive several miles to work. That is only one of the many aspects of suburban life that I find stressful. Urban living is AWESOME.<BR/><BR/>I haven't owned a car in years and I've never felt freer.Dihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07550554918505639648noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28822395.post-41687975316405324722008-06-17T22:55:00.000-04:002008-06-17T22:55:00.000-04:00LoudMusic, the irony of amazing and wonderful citi...LoudMusic, the irony of amazing and wonderful cities is that they inevitably come with traffic issues, and often with climate issues as well. Boston rocks but the winters are brutal. Any big city has traffic issues.<BR/><BR/>I LOVE DC. It's so vibrant and amazing and there's so much culture and it's the center of our democracy and I have so many singing opportunities here and so many people are so intelligent and interesting. Not to mention the area of the law I'm interested in (communications law) is only practiced here! <BR/><BR/>DC is an amazing city. I'm honestly fairly shocked that anyone would even suggest moving just because one doesn't like the traffic and weather in the summer!Matthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15735718470496028866noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28822395.post-30782446964393528872008-06-17T13:39:00.000-04:002008-06-17T13:39:00.000-04:00What I don't understand is, if transportation and ...What I don't understand is, if transportation and climate are that big of an issue, what's keeping you in DC? Why not just move where it's not such a difficult place to deal with?<BR/><BR/>I dig the Segway and I think you've put it to great use. I just don't understand putting up with the issues that cause you to need it.LoudMusichttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16739860502626841397noreply@blogger.com