Segway HT

When the Segway HT was first introduced, there was quite a bit of buzz about it. There were many discussions about how it would affect transportation when it was first introduced in late 2001. Some people thought it would completely change how people in large cities got around; they envisioned sidewalks in cities like New York, Chicago, and San Francisco filled with the machines, ridden by happy people zooming to work, to the store, home. Others were less optimistic, predicting the HT (short for human transporter) was a fad that would have it’s fifteen minutes of fame and die away. There were elements of truth in both views.

Segways did not become the widely used machine that many thought they would, but there is still a strong niche market for them. There are fans in large cities who use them for transportation, as well as a number of ways they are used commercially. Numerous police departments purchased machines and trained officers to use them in cities or airports. They proved useful, allowing officers to respond more quickly than if they had been on foot, but still allowing them to weave through traffic safely. They are also used as a tour vehicle in many large cities. They allow the riders to as much of the city as a bus tour but at the pace of a walking tour; the combination is a more satisfying, less tiring experience. So while the Segway HT may not have become common transportation in our daily lives, it certainly has it’s particular uses.

Related Information

Segway Enthusiasts Group
A Segway enthusiasts group might meet for coffee or play polo.

Segway Group Glides
Segway group glides are a way for tourists to see a city at a slower pace.