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A new Segway Gang in Downtown?


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#1 Brian Luenser

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Posted 30 March 2009 - 06:53 AM

On both Saturday and Sunday the Mrs. and I noticed a new gang in town. On Segways! Not sure if they are into robbing banks or just raising terror. Didn't actually see any chains or tattoos but what else could they be doing cruising our streets? I will say this, they are nice and quiet! Took a few shots and a video. I just hope these photos don't wind up on a poster at the Post Office on the wanted board...









And I am afraid this guy may be pointing to their next bank job...


And the video link: (Hi def! Hit the red HQ button as well as the fill the screen button.)

http://www.youtube.c...re=channel_page
www.fortworthview.com

#2 Fort Worthology

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Posted 30 March 2009 - 07:54 AM

Those still seem so pointless to me. Heaven forbid we should take a *walking* tour and get some exercise.

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#3 McHand

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Posted 30 March 2009 - 02:16 PM

Monee, did you get spotted (3rd pic)?

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#4 Brian Luenser

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Posted 30 March 2009 - 04:09 PM

QUOTE (avvy @ Mar 30 2009, 03:16 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Monee, did you get spotted (3rd pic)?


I'm thinking if I didn't get spotted, my cat did!
(I am the only person I know in the Tower that hangs out on his balcony... makes it harder to not be noticed)
www.fortworthview.com

#5 Matt615

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Posted 30 March 2009 - 10:32 PM

QUOTE (monee9696 @ Mar 30 2009, 05:09 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (avvy @ Mar 30 2009, 03:16 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Monee, did you get spotted (3rd pic)?


I'm thinking if I didn't get spotted, my cat did!
(I am the only person I know in the Tower that hangs out on his balcony... makes it harder to not be noticed)


He was spotted/pointed out. I alerted him to look for the guy in the tye dye shirt on the Segway. Might have been the first time people knew they were being photographed by the Tower paparazzi. Thanks again for taking the pictures Monee! I was helping a friend who is putting together Segway tours of the downtown area as well as the Cultural district. They are a lot of fun to ride!


#6 JKC

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Posted 31 March 2009 - 09:46 AM

QUOTE (Atomic Glee @ Mar 30 2009, 08:54 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Those still seem so pointless to me. Heaven forbid we should take a *walking* tour and get some exercise.


it is an interesting contrast the efforts to promote our "walkable" downtown.

#7 UncaMikey

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Posted 31 March 2009 - 11:30 AM

QUOTE (Atomic Glee @ Mar 30 2009, 08:54 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Those still seem so pointless to me.


Yea, to me, too. They are even sillier when you think about the hype in the year or two before the Segway was unveiled, a mysterious invention that was going to change the world, blah blah blah.

They seem to have some limited uses, but it's annoying to be out walking and to have a flock of Segways zoom around you.


#8 Brian Luenser

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Posted 31 March 2009 - 02:45 PM

QUOTE (UncaMikey @ Mar 31 2009, 12:30 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (Atomic Glee @ Mar 30 2009, 08:54 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Those still seem so pointless to me.


They seem to have some limited uses, but it's annoying to be out walking and to have a flock of Segways zoom around you.


I see their pros and cons. But... pretty much pollution free and noise pollution free. I would rather have a head-on with a thousand Segways then have one stupid loud motorcycle anywhere in town.
www.fortworthview.com

#9 Fort Worthology

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Posted 31 March 2009 - 03:08 PM

QUOTE (monee9696 @ Mar 31 2009, 03:45 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
I see their pros and cons. But... pretty much pollution free and noise pollution free.


Just like walking and bicycle riding, which have the added benefits of costing less and providing exercise. smile.gif I dunno. I can imagine some actual uses for Segways, but in a lot of ways they seem like something out of "Idiocracy" - something we invented because we're too lazy to walk. I expect to see decals on them reading "It's got ELECTROLYTES!" or something.

I can see how a Segway tour might attract people. Personally, I'd rather just walk and get the exercise. Different strokes, I suppose.

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#10 UncaMikey

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Posted 31 March 2009 - 07:02 PM

QUOTE (monee9696 @ Mar 31 2009, 03:45 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
I see their pros and cons. But... pretty much pollution free and noise pollution free. I would rather have a head-on with a thousand Segways then have one stupid loud motorcycle anywhere in town.


No debate there -- the occasional encounter with a Segway is a minor annoyance, but those loud Harleys are awful. I hate those things.

#11 JKC

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Posted 31 March 2009 - 07:24 PM

In many cities you see these tours where the Segways ride in formation but on the city streets. That bothers me much less than seeing them conducted on a sidewalk where it could inhibit or intimidate pedestrians. At any rate, the real product they are selling is the act of riding a cool vehicle rather than showing the area.

#12 mmiller2002

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Posted 01 April 2009 - 11:23 AM

QUOTE (UncaMikey @ Mar 31 2009, 12:30 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (Atomic Glee @ Mar 30 2009, 08:54 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Those still seem so pointless to me.


Yea, to me, too. They are even sillier when you think about the hype in the year or two before the Segway was unveiled, a mysterious invention that was going to change the world, blah blah blah.

They seem to have some limited uses, but it's annoying to be out walking and to have a flock of Segways zoom around you.



They are just a cool gadget for rich peeps, or very useful for some occupations, or hanicapped, or elderly to get around. They look fun.

#13 Papaw

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Posted 01 April 2009 - 03:49 PM

I've never seen one up close - what keeps the platform level and do they ever "loose their balance"?

#14 austlar

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Posted 02 April 2009 - 01:02 AM

QUOTE (Papaw @ Apr 1 2009, 04:49 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
I've never seen one up close - what keeps the platform level and do they ever "loose their balance"?



I was recently at Barton Creek Mall in Austin and almost got run down by a mall security cop zooming along on the upper level of this indoor mall. I saw at least two security guys using these things. Personally I found it kind of offensive, but I guess they are useful for chasing shoplifters or purse snatchers.

#15 Recyclican

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Posted 02 April 2009 - 12:29 PM

QUOTE (austlar @ Apr 2 2009, 02:02 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (Papaw @ Apr 1 2009, 04:49 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
I've never seen one up close - what keeps the platform level and do they ever "loose their balance"?



I was recently at Barton Creek Mall in Austin and almost got run down by a mall security cop zooming along on the upper level of this indoor mall. I saw at least two security guys using these things. Personally I found it kind of offensive, but I guess they are useful for chasing shoplifters or purse snatchers.


I suppose running after the perpetrator - on foot - is a relic of the past that we will only see in "historic" movies from now on...

#16 JKC

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Posted 02 April 2009 - 04:37 PM

QUOTE (Papaw @ Apr 1 2009, 04:49 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
I've never seen one up close - what keeps the platform level and do they ever "loose their balance"?


Mondo gyro-system keeps them upright, I think. Lean forward to go forward, lean further to go faster, lean back to backup etc.

Yes, on the loosing balance but it isn't vehicle that looses balance, usually a new rider gets excited and leans one way or the other inadvertently and.....surprise. I've heard they go maybe 20 mph or better.

George W, was famously dumped off one a couple of years ago.

#17 safly

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Posted 03 April 2009 - 08:02 PM

QUOTE
George W, was famously dumped off one a couple of years ago.


Leaned too far to the RIGHT!? (Budump Pishhh)
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#18 safly

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Posted 03 April 2009 - 08:04 PM

QUOTE (Recyclican @ Apr 2 2009, 01:29 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (austlar @ Apr 2 2009, 02:02 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (Papaw @ Apr 1 2009, 04:49 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
I've never seen one up close - what keeps the platform level and do they ever "loose their balance"?



I was recently at Barton Creek Mall in Austin and almost got run down by a mall security cop zooming along on the upper level of this indoor mall. I saw at least two security guys using these things. Personally I found it kind of offensive, but I guess they are useful for chasing shoplifters or purse snatchers.


I suppose running after the perpetrator - on foot - is a relic of the past that we will only see in "historic" movies from now on...


Maybe they were filming the new Fort Worth SCI-FI THRILLER.

Logan's Lean. (Bumdum Bump Pishhh)

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#19 Papaw

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Posted 03 April 2009 - 08:40 PM

QUOTE (safly @ Apr 3 2009, 09:02 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE
George W, was famously dumped off one a couple of years ago.


Leaned too far to the RIGHT!? (Budump Pishhh)
Thank you. Thank YOU. Thank you.


Yep, our Safly is back. rotflmao.gif
Hope you stick around for a while.

#20 safly

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Posted 03 April 2009 - 08:42 PM

My typin fingers are going through some SPRING TRAININ here, but I am lookin forward to yet ANOTHER solid season.

wink.gif
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#21 Papaw

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Posted 03 April 2009 - 08:47 PM

You typ as gud as me after mi hapie our.

#22 JKC

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Posted 06 April 2009 - 06:05 PM

QUOTE (safly @ Apr 3 2009, 09:02 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE
George W, was famously dumped off one a couple of years ago.


Leaned too far to the RIGHT!? (Budump Pishhh)
Thank you. Thank YOU. Thank you.


As I recall, he must have been too progressive as he leaned too far forward and went right over the front.

By the way, he threw well today in his opening day outing, seemed strong from start to finish. Hit the spots, no walks, no hits, no runs etc.

#23 Papaw

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Posted 06 April 2009 - 08:23 PM

Off topic, but the Ranger did look great today. I think Nolen's pitching tutoring might pay off this year. I'm not a big baseball fan but always enjoy pulling for the areas teams.
Bush is probably as agile (gave up on trying to spell quardinated) as I am. I can't carry my coffee out to get the paper without dropping one or both before I get back in the house. ---- I did get the 'leaning too far to the right' pun. biggrin.gif

#24 Papaw

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Posted 07 April 2009 - 10:10 AM

QUOTE (JKC @ Mar 31 2009, 08:24 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
In many cities you see these tours where the Segways ride in formation but on the city streets. That bothers me much less than seeing them conducted on a sidewalk where it could inhibit or intimidate pedestrians. At any rate, the real product they are selling is the act of riding a cool vehicle rather than showing the area.

Looks like the basic concept is going to be advanced:
http://www.star-tele...ry/1302859.html

#25 johnfwd

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Posted 06 November 2014 - 12:01 PM

While walking downtown this morning I saw a Segway group, first on a sidewalk, then down Main Street.  Reminded me that next month will be the 13th anniversary of this much heralded invention.  I remember how excited were the inventor, Dean Kamen, and his friends Steve Jobs and Jeff Bezos, were about the prospects for "IT."  They envisioned a personal transportation revolution sweeping the cities across the country.  Obviously that didn't happen.  Maybe the reports of accident injuries created a social inertia regarding the Segway.  Or, the fact that people may enjoy walking, bicycling, etc., rather than paying thousands of dollars for one of these.  But I still would like to try one out, perhaps on the Trinity Trails.

 

Funny this is on the sports thread and not the transportation thread.  Perhaps that's another indication of a failed revolution.






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