Cyclists still hate Segways

[Isidore]

I don't want to make a gross generalisation but from over here, sometimes there seems to be a strong streak of intolerance that runs through American society, and I don't mean the verbal sniping that has existed on this site between Karl and JohnM for at least 10 years. Perhaps it's the Puritan values brought over by the 'Founding Fathers', I don't know. We all have strong opinions about many things but what is puzzling is that some cyclists feel entitled to be rude and disparaging to complete strangers who have done them no obvious harm. Perhaps when we glide we should wear T shirts that says something like 'Be nice to me, I'm an armed psychopath' but the problem is that we are essentially dealing with real psychopaths who feel entitled to behave in this way. As a regular Segway rider and cyclist, I reserve my hate for those riding 'Boris Bikes' the grossly clunky public rental bikes in London and other cities. They almost invariably are ridden by tourists who haven't been on a bike in 10 years and who weave about very slowly being a danger to themselves and all other road users, especially other cyclists and Segway riders. Half the time they don't even remember we drive/glide/ride on the left. I only swear at them when they are about to cause an accident.

[Jugglah]

I've ridden my hands free Segway in cities, towns and villages in every corner of the US for 6 years now. I can count the number of negative comments and experiences I've had on one hand. Bicyclists, pedestrians, police, drivers, homeless people, drunk people and virtually every single other living human being's reactions have ranged from neutral to extremely positive.

Have you awful bunch of bitter, self-important, chest-bumping nerds considered that people are reacting to YOU? Every time I come here and read a few posts I'd like to swipe many of you off the road myself, whether you're on a Segway or not.

[Tritium]

Originally Posted by Jugglah

I've ridden my hands free Segway in cities, towns and villages in every corner of the US for 6 years now. I can count the number of negative comments and experiences I've had on one hand. Bicyclists, pedestrians, police, drivers, homeless people, drunk people and virtually every single other living human being's reactions have ranged from neutral to extremely positive.

Have you awful bunch of bitter, self-important, chest-bumping nerds considered that people are reacting to YOU? Every time I come here and read a few posts I'd like to swipe many of you off the road myself, whether you're on a Segway or not.

Your logic just isn't sound.
Sure some people may say to themselves "hey look at that ugly dude, I'm too scared to say he's ugly so I'll point out that he is riding a Segway and that Segways are "gay" to make him rage"
But I doubt that's what most people are thinking.

[JohnG]

I share Jugglah's experiences. I don't believe, however, that our membership here is "awful," but they sometimes don't put their best foot forward in explaining their views.

I've been riding for over 10 years as well in a number of different towns and spaces. I have not had the unpleasant experience of having negative comments thrown at me either.

I think it all depends on how you ride, where you ride, and how you interact with others on the glide...

John

[jgbackes]

Originally Posted by Jugglah

<snip> Have you awful bunch of bitter, self-important, chest-bumping nerds considered that people are reacting to YOU? Every time I come here and read a few posts I'd like to swipe many of you off the road myself, whether you're on a Segway or not.

I think I am probably one of your "chest-bumping nerds" and I won't apologize for that. I'm pretty sure that there is only one member of this forum that I have publicly criticized. I am sure proud not of myself, but what the device has done for me. Let me tell you a little of my story.

In 1981 I was involved in a horrific motorcycle accident that I was very lucky to survive. I was traveling 55 miles an hour when a woman crossed her Cadillac Sedan-De-Ville right in front of me. According to the police report I put down 135 feet of skid marks before hitting the car in the right passenger door. If my math is right that was about 1.6 seconds worth of skidding.

I traveled through the car and came out the driver's window. I lost the tip of a finger, crushed my left knee, broke all of my molars, broke my left thumb, broke many ribs and punctured my left lung. The compression ruptured two of my discs L4-L5 and L5-S1. 12 years later a Dr. discovered fracture heal marks during an MRI.

In 2002 I underwent a dual spinal fusion to remove the damaged discs and replace them with cadaver bone. (Posterior Lumbar Inter-body Fusion). The L3-L4 disc is now blown because of the additional load it is bearing in twisting and bending. I haven't walked well for the last 5 years. 4 years ago I got a wheelchair and started using that to get around whenever I was going to have to be on my feet for any amount of time.

About that time my Wife decided that I was not "On her life plan" and she booked. I decided that I was going to have to get out of the f-ing chair and get back in shape. I starting riding my bike 30 miles a day and built up my leg strength. Within a year I was able to enter the "Tour de Cure" event. I think I raised $1,000 toward diabetes research.

I had owned a Segway at that point for a few years and decided that it was going to be my only means of transport inside buildings, I never want to get into a wheelchair again. Walking wasn't working for me, and you just can't ride a bike into Safeway.

So there you have it. I use my Segway instead of a wheelchair. I would rather walk but hey that's not in the cards for me.

The Segway never took off, it never became the over-hyped savior of mankind. What pisses me off is when it's called useless or a rich-boys toy.





jeff

[Amimoto]

Watched 3 wonderful videos, it is not easy to speak in front of a camera, and you were excellent, learned a lot and enjoy every part of the video, thanks for sharing


sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk APP

[jgbackes]

Originally Posted by Jugglah

<snip> Every time I come here and read a few posts I'd like to swipe many of you off the road myself, whether you're on a Segway or not.

BTW: I think threatening to kill people is also against the rules...

I could be wrong.

jeff

[Gihgehls]

Originally Posted by jgbackes

BTW: I think threatening to kill people is also against the rules...

I could be wrong.

jeff

You'd be very wrong, especially since killing was never mentioned. Additionally, expressing a desire doesn't constitute a threat. Everytime I pass the Firestone brewery I think I'd like to go in and drink all their beer. Saying I'd like to do that doesn't mean I am a threat to their security guards.

[jgbackes]

Originally Posted by Gihgehls

You'd be very wrong, especially since killing was never mentioned. Additionally, expressing a desire doesn't constitute a threat. Everytime I pass the Firestone brewery I think I'd like to go in and drink all their beer. Saying I'd like to do that doesn't mean I am a threat to their security guards.

Since you are able to determine what I mean, perhaps you could tell us what he meant by "I'd like to swipe many of you off the road myself, whether you're on a Segway or not." I take that as a threat. You may not. I said it was my opinion and nothing more. He may have been talking about brooms but I did not take it that way.

Please describe in great detail how your mind reading of his intentions works.

jeff

[KSagal]

Originally Posted by jgbackes

BTW: I think threatening to kill people is also against the rules...

I could be wrong.

jeff

I believe you are right. And I believe you understood his meaning as intended.

That poster was clear, even if not explicit.

Others like to make believe that what is clear is not, so they have the opportunity to make a semantics argument, in spite of the clear and easy to understand posting.

I happen to believe that while clear, it was somewhat tongue in cheek. So, a clear threat, but not a serious one. But that is my opinion...