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I think he really has lost it this time!
I admit i like the segway, i think its a fantastic thing but im not sure it'll be the solution to all of urban transport issues even if we could use it. People dont buy a car, electric or otherwise to be compatible with mass transit so thats not particularly a reason to have one. But you're right in that the electric car has very few benefits over a conventional one, other than running costs and emissions its pretty much the same as what we've all been driving for decades. It may reduce congestion, roar wear and parking problems but you could say the same about a much cheaper bicycle. The car, in whatever form has so many benefits over a segway that it shouldnt be measured against the car but instead against the bicycle or walking, then its on a level playing field.
It would make a lot of sense for urban households to have a segway for the city, and a conventional car for longer trips.
Why won't the government scrap the restrictions on segweys instead of leaning on car makers to produce tax-dodging coal fired cars?
Bizarre car taxes and unwarranted Government cashback offers for electric cars are a very valid topic and a matter for another thread. But the segways problem is that the car is superior in most criteria. Is it financially sensible or reasonable to expect an urban family to pay to keep a car on the road, which can do everything and pay for an expensive toy for their daily commuting convenience? You'll say 'but you dont need a car just to get yourself to work in a city' and you're right but you do need a car for a variety of other uses, so much so for the vast majority of people, the car will still be a neccessary expense. They wont get rid of the car and get a segway instead. A car can carry passengers, take you long distances in comfort in all weathers, you can carry things with you etc and yes it can also take one person to work. The segway can better it on the last one but not on everything else, so segway owners will still need a car. And when it comes down to it, financially its sensible to keep the one tool which can do everything and ditch the limited use objects.
Who's going to have a segway for the city and car for longer trips when a segway is very expensive? Who?! Only people who can do it because they can, so it'll be a small market share. Most people will say they cant justify the expense for both so they'll just stick with the car as its the best all rounder, and still nobody has found an alternative to the best all rounder which is the car, and i dont think they ever will. Its like people who say 'oh i have a small economical car to go to work and a big car to go out on weekends with the family' and we'd tell them that when you count in VED, insurance, mot, servicing etc on the small car its more financially viable to get rid of it and use the big one for all tasks.
The Government's ban on them however is bizarre. Apparently we cant have them on the road because...we cant. If no licence or training is required to use something which you say can achieve car-like in town speeds then that will concern them, if they couldnt fine them for 'driving' without a 'licence'. And on the pavements at that speed its going to scare the hell out of the old dears outside Costa Coffee as some 8 foot gorilla comes by with wheels on his feet. Its just an expensive bicycle, and bicycles are a fad also, all the greenies come out in summer on their bike then in September when it cools down and starts to rain is when the X5 comes out of the garage.
Fantastic for urban commuting to work? Yes absolutely, millions could benefit from it for that application.
A replacement for the car or financially viable to have in addition to the car? Im afraid not.
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