Segway Scooters Sail the Streets

Aug. 19 -- The Segway Human Transporter was once touted as a pervasive new transportation tool. But the unusual personal vehicle is still rare enough that sightings of one rolling along the road still get a rise from passers-by.

Cars stop in the street, people point and stare, and there are whispers, giggles, mouths agape, and the occasional shaking of fists.

Segway's consumer base is still growing, but the $5,000-plus selling price seems to limit sales.

So while President Bush's well-documented fall off a Segway in June helped more people become familiar with the machine, few have had an actual encounter with one.

Segway has been working to find a place in the commercial sector since it was introduced by its inventor, Dean Kamen, in December 2001. Initial business partners included the U.S. Postal Service and Amazon.com. Other corporations, the military and police departments are among the groups around the country that have tried the Segway since.

But there are consumer users as well. Retired movie producer Itsi Atkins is, by his own estimate, one of more than 30 Segway owners in New York City. And while the novelty has worn off for him, he still tries to act as an "ambassador" for the new technology as he is bombarded with questions whenever he takes a ride.

In fact, Atkins is taking an active role in creating his own Segway accessories, dedicating his time to making bags, jackets, traveling cases, camera mounts and themed hubcaps designed specifically for the Segway. He's currently preparing to take them to Segway Fest, the first Segway owners convention, which will be held in Chicago at the end of August.

Police Test It in New York, Juneau

Joining Atkins' Segway on the streets of New York late last month were several new machines being tested by the New York Police Department.

One model attracted an audience at Rockefeller Center, drawing attention away from an outdoor Aerospace Technology exhibit. "I was surprised to see a cop on [a Segway]," said a janitor at the Center. He said it became difficult for the officers to move around because people were stopping them to ask questions.