Segway Owners Stand by Their Scooters

Sept. 28, 2003 -- Owners of the Segway Human Transporter are a committed group. So when news broke that the motorized scooter was being recalled, there was a minor panic.

The Consumer Product Safety Commission announced the recall on Friday, saying three people had been injured falling off Segways when the batteries are low.

The news prompted a flurry of phone calls, e-mail and Internet discussions by concerned users. But fears they would lose their ultramodern mode of transportation turned to relief when they learned that their systems would just need an upgrade.

"It's no big deal," said Itsi Atkins, president of the Manhattan Segway owners group. "The company has already basically notified owners [of the upgrade]. I assume the recall announcement is part of a process to get it out to everyone else."

Atkins said he was surprised to learn anyone had experienced a problem due to low batteries.

"Nobody runs the battery all the way down because they don't want to get stuck anywhere," he said. "There is a red light that comes on, and an audible signal which I've heard — and I've still been able to go past that."

Atkins said he got the upgrade back in August when he attended a Segway owners' convention in Chicago.

Three Ways to Get Upgrade

Other users with outdated systems have three ways to get the free upgrade, said Segway spokeswoman Carla Vallone. She said the fastest way is to visit one of 11 "upgrade centers" being set up in metropolitan areas around the country. Owners can also ship their Segway to the company's New Hampshire headquarters or arrange for an at-home visit.

Daniel Dabney, a Segway user from St. Paul, Minn., is hoping that he won't have to drive to the closest upgrade center in Chicago.

"I'm trying to make contact with other Minnesota owners and see what they are going to do," he said. "I'm hoping that at some point soon, [Segway] will send someone out to Minnesota."

The recall was ordered by the Consumer Product Safety Commission but Segway's participation was voluntary. According to Vallone, the company initiated correspondence with the federal agency.

Mac Chiulli, a New York owner, was impressed that the company acted so quickly.

"In the letter [to owners] Segway said they were aware of three problem incidents," Chiulli said. "If there's a recall based on just three problem incidents — I wish Detroit had the same standards."

The Segway was unveiled in December 2001 to much fanfare by inventor Dean Kamen. Certain businesses and government agencies have been using the single-rider, two-wheeled scooters on a trial basis.

Vallone said groups such as police departments and the U.S. Postal Service will be provided with upgrades as quickly as possible so as not to interrupt operations. She said that includes a fleet of Segways in France, where the company recently expanded operations.

To schedule an upgrade, consumers should call Segway at (877) 889-9020.