Why the Segway?

Get a Car

I had one when I lived in the suburbs in Texas. I also had it driven to NYC after moving here and working in Long Island, causing me to have to commute. But once I landed a job in NYC, where I also lived, I couldn't justify the cost of car ownership in a city with readily available public transportation. 

But although it's a pedestrian city with subways and buses, I still held a stigma about riding the bus. So I found myself walking and taking the subway everywhere. I have since changed my perception. As a 16 year NYC resident, I do take the bus now. 

The Xootr Scooter

While in college, my main subway line to class was out of service for a very extensive time. So I opted for an electric Xootr EX3. It worked great. I was able to zip to class at up to 17mph, fold the scooter and take it to class with me. Unfortunately, Xootr discontinued the EX3, and the batteries in mine have since died. 

The (discontinued) Xootr EX3

Anxious for an alternative, I researched other means of getting around. Motorized kick scooters were huge and bulky, unlike the Xootr. So I tried manually powered scooters, starting with the Xootr kick scooter. It was the Mercedes of scooters, unlike the Razor one for kids. This was built with quality materials and had larger wheels that allowed a smoother ride for a longer duration per kick-off. It worked great for very short distances, like jogging would, but like jogging, I'd also arrive at my destination sweaty. And it was useless when going uphill. I'd have to carry it.

Landrollers

For fitness, I used rollerblades, but never viewed those as transportation, especially in NYC with the horrible potholes and uneven surfaces everywhere. I even opted for Landrollers, the unusually designed skates made popular by the Dog Whisperer, Ceasar Milan and skating champ, Apolo Ohno. These allowed me to skate over broader terrain. Still, one good twist of the ankle or fall, and I'd face a hefty hospital bill. Not to mention, it was still a form of exercise -- not mere transportation. 

The A-Bike

Anxious for something to replace my beloved, perfect electric Xootr,  I still sought something easy to fold, and found a A-Bike online from the UK. It did fold perfectly, and was very light. As a petite person, I found it comfortable for short distances. But once I needed to take it further, about 3 miles or so. That's when I realized that its flaws. It was uncomfortable, pedaled poorly (it was very difficult to pedal) and accelerated at a snail's pace. I ended up folding it and taking a taxi. I later sold it. 

NOTE: The A-Bike has since been remodeled. I have not tried it, but you can check it out A-bike .

Folding and Electric Bikes

I became a fixture at NYCE Wheels where they specialize in electric & folding bikes, Xootr scooters and electric scooters. This was a candy shop to me. There, you are able to test most of their bikes as well in the neighborhood, which has a park and bike trail nearby. It's perfect. 

I purchased a Brompton bike from Metro Bicycles. It seemed okay initially. Like my Xootr EX3, I could fold and take it with me. But it still lacked the electric acceleration. So the one time I took it to work, i arrived sweaty with messed up hair. I decided that it would then be an exercise bike for me, but there were two issues. I'm shot, so I never felt well viewed by vehicles as I rode low to the ground compared to many bikers. I also glided a lot, pedal, glide. I didn't see it as a form of exercising above a treadmill run or spin class. So the cost wasn't justified, and I sold it. 

I purchased a new Street Xootr and an electric bike. I still have the Xootr, but rarely use it. So next, I bought an electric bike, but it was not for petite people. It was more like a motorcycle, tall (for my size) and difficult for me to get in and out of elevators. NYCE Wheels was kind enough to allow me to return it the same day I purchased it. 

Back to Skates

A skilled rollerblader can get around NYC with ease. I'm not that skilled. I once was. I used to rollerblade so often that I could skate downhill fast, skate through the city in the street and jump over things. But I guess as they say, if you don't use it, you lose it. And after a season or two of not using my Landrollers, I became afraid of skating and falling. The smallest sidewalk crack threw me off balance. I even took a private lesson, determined to get back into my skates. But after falling a couple of times, now as an adult out of my 20s, more prone to break something, I shelved my Landrollers and opted for 4-wheeled skates that looked sturdy, Skorpion Quadline Skates. 

Inspired by kids who use Heely's (retractable wheeled sneakers), I never got the hang of them. Maybe I'm too old. So the Skorpions seemed a good alternative. like my Xootr, I could keep my shoes on, then unstrap myself once at my destination and easily take the skates with me. But again, by now, balance was an issue for me. Although they looked sturdy, the in-line skates were easier. These required quite an effort to accelerate on the bike trail's smooth concrete pavement.

However, the Skorpions were very comfortable. When I worked in an office where the boss skateboared around, I wore my Skorpions for fun at work and to add height. They were fantastic on our smooth surfaces for going to the pantry or desk to desk. But outdoors, for exercise or transportation, they just did not work for me. Again, there are people skilled at skating for whom these work great. 

An Alternative Xootr EX3?!

Electric kick scooters have been around for a long time. The Xootr EX3 was unique due to its style and lighter weight. It was the only one that was light enough to strap over your shoulders and carry along. It was also the only one with small, concealed motors and two (optional) batteries so that yo wouldn't get stranded on your journey. But about a decade after its demise, I was very happy to see the GoPed I-Ped. It weighed the same as the EX3 and was electric, yet not as attractive in my opinion. It also costs almost $1,000 more with the top-of-the-line LI 16: Lithium 16AH battery. But I tried it anyway. 

I can't judge it fairly as someone who gave it a 5 minute spin. It may take getting used to. But it also wasn't for me. It accelerated too fast, kind of tossing me backwards. It was not easy to make turns. There wasn't a strap for it at the store, which is what made the Xootr great. The design also was bulky for my frame. It would not be convenient to carry. So I opted out. 

Researching a Motorcycle

As stated earlier, I live and work in New York City. It is great, but I longed to get out of the city sometimes and cruise the highway like I did when I lived in the suburbs. I am also a videographer with equipment that's not always convenient to take in a cab, nor safe on a subway. But balance was still an issue to me. 

I explored a Can-Am Spider motorcycle. At $20,000, it would be an alternative to a car. But like a car, I'd have to pay over $200/month to park it in my building's underground garage, park it on the street and pay the meter as well as gas it up. So I'd only eliminate the balance issue. 

Next, I explored the Vespa, and came very close to financing one. The only thing that stopped me was having to get a motorcycle driving license in NYC before even trying one out. It proved too complicated and troublesome. I already had a driver's license, albeit for a different type of vehicle. And the dealership wasn't conveniently located. So this option faded. Plus like the motorcycle, where would I park it? I saw Vespas on sidewalks, but that was illegal. I also saw someone getting a ticket for doing that. I was told that some remove their plates while parked illegally. Eh, no thanks. 

Finally...a SEGWAY

All of the alternative forms of transportation that I tried varied. A motorcycle doesn't serve the same purpose as skates, and a Segway Personal Transporter doesn't serve the exact same purpose as a car. It's slower and isn't ideal in bad weather. Skates and bikes provide exercise, but I get better exercise at a gym.

So after all of my efforts to replace that Xootr EX3, even attempts to find a local repair shop for it, I took the plunge and purchased a Segway PT i2 Commuter model for a little over $5,000. 

I do not have to pay for parking, gas nor expensive maintenance. It's not regulated in NYC, but I have never been ticketed. I glide very responsibly.

It's the perfect alternative to all other alternatives I'd tried or considered.