A Beneficiary Of High Gas Prices: Segways

Dealers Says Sales Of Battery-Powered Transporters Are Up

(AP)  Paul Feeney didn't commute with the Segway his parents gave him for Christmas in 2005 until he moved close to work this spring. The battery-powered, energy-efficient scooter makes the 1.4-mile commute fun, the 35-year-old Sun Microsystems sales representative said.

It also made his commute a lot less expensive.

When the Segway Personal Transporter came out in 2001, inventor Dean Kamen said the self-balancing vehicles would revolutionize short-distance travel. At first, however, they appealed mostly to police, mall security crews and airport personnel.

With gas prices escalating, sales are growing. One Segway dealer identified as one of its top five in the U.S. - Riva Motorsports of Pompano Beach, Fla. - sold almost 200 in 2006, 250 in 2007 and 175 in the first five months of 2008, said Riva spokesman Matt Sermarini.

"Anything that seems to be economical on fuel or doesn't use fuel at all, people are definitely researching and buying," Sermarini said.

Jared Cavalier, the Columbus Segway dealer who sold Feeney his scooter, said the increased interest has allowed him to open stores in Toledo and Cincinnati this year.

"These last few months have been fantastic," Cavalier said. "We unbox them and they go out the door the same week."

The self-balancing, standup scooters are getting more attention all around. Two "catcalls" are the most popular, Feeney said.

"People yelling, 'Dork!' and people yelling, 'How much does that cost?'"

The Segway's $5,000 price tag and its geekiness - they were among many targets of Weird Al Yankovic's parody "White & Nerdy" in 2006 - are probably the biggest limits on its popularity, Feeney said.

James Houchard, an early customer in Ohio who now owns three Segways with his wife, said he tells people who stop him that he sees no difference in his electric bill.

"People always (wanted) to know how they work and what they do, but now I've had people ask about gas and say, 'Is that a lot cheaper?'" said Houchard.

Left: Jared Cavalier, owner of Segway of Ohio in Columbus, answers questions from customers Jim Hair, right, and Bill Hodges, Thursday, June 5, 2008.

Houchard, 56, said they like the energy savings, but when he mentions what the scooters cost, it's usually a surprise.

"Five-thousand dollars is an issue," Bedford, N.H.-based Segway Inc. president and CEO Jim Norrod acknowledged - though he predicted recent years' sales growth rate of 40 percent to 50 percent to continue in 2008.

Dealers have seen a further uptick of 30 percent to 40 percent in walk-in traffic in the past month as people look for antidotes to expensive gasoline, according to Carol Valianti, a spokeswoman for Segway Inc.

The privately held company does not release sales data.

For now, the energy savings seem to be Segway's strongest selling point.

Since buying a Segway in April, Kalispell, Mont., resident John O'Connor estimates, he has saved at least $100 on gas for commuting.

Enough charge to make the four-mile round trip to his job with telecommunications provider CenturyTel costs 4 cents, he said.

"Gas prices are going up, and it just turns my stomach. So I thought, 'I'm done - I'm not going to do it anymore,'" said O'Connor, 53. He and his wife are selling one of their automobiles.

Segways don't completely cure the pain at pump. They need a charge after about 25 miles, can't protect riders from the elements or carry much cargo and have a top speed of 12.5 mph.

"I could probably ride 10 minutes in 10-below-zero weather and not get so cold that I couldn't stand it. If the trip was a lot longer, I probably wouldn't want to do it," said O'Connor.

Richard Doherty, an analyst with the Envisioneering Group research firm who has followed the Segway market for several years, said interest started rising in California when gas hit $4 a gallon there early this year.

"When SUV owners start driving slowly to save precious drops of gas, using a Segway looks more and more appealing - especially for middle-of-the-day and weekend trips near home," said Doherty.

The vehicle's price is coming into range, said Doherty.

"They're saying that a Segway now costs about what you'd pay for the annual maintenance on many car models," he said. "It just makes sense, if it's fair weather and you can make your trips by Segway."

[hober_mallow]

When I see one of those clowns on a Segway, I just want to spit on ''em.

[barkerc123c]

Sounds great but those of us that live in a rural area with a 30 mile one way commute, brutal winters and no public transportation are just stuck without a solution. My monthly gasoline bill is $2800 because my husband drives for a living (checking oil wells). BTW his pay has never gone up even though his largest expense has (thank you very much generous oil employers).

[coppertales]

I have been riding my motorcycle to work, instead of my pickup, for years. 45 mpg vs 15 mpg. Those Segways are interesting and I would like to take one for a ride but I am moving to the country so one of those would not work for me.

[avigil2]

The Segway makes a comeback; just like New Kids On The Block (sort of).

[ladyraestewa]

For a total investment of about $1,800 (scooter, helmet, lock, safety class and insurance), I think my investment was more bang for my buck. Sure I''m still buying gas but approximately $6 a week sure beats what I''d pay to drive the Jeep. While the scooter doesn''t protect against the elements, it''s surprising how frequently I can ride instead of drive -- of course, living in Central Texas helps. And I have room to carry some stuff plus can get up to 65 mph. The scooter definitely makes more sense and the Jeep gets driven on the worst days or when I plan my monthly need to drive to do grocery shopping, etc.

Little bit of planning and a decision to not drive the Jeep except when necessary, my savings is significant.

[feelfree4u]

Re: "A Beneficiary Of High Gas Prices: Segways"

And another beneficiary: the blood-drenched greedy oil pirates of Exxon-Mobil.

[michellem99-2009]

I would not use one of them as they are unsafe. For me they are.

[oneworldusa]

A scooter is a more practical solution. For the guy with the 1.4 mile commute, a regular old-fashioned bike might be nice. A little bit of exercise, no electricity required. Heck, on nice days, a little walk to work wouldn''t be bad.

[bosnmate820]

I''ve seen these things in action with parking cops using them to patrol lots. My mobility scooter has one more wheel, a padded seat and a basket for a lot less money. I get about 20-25 miles per charge and take mine into most stores and even some restaurants.

[haoli25]

Beneficiary of Segways = Orthopedic surgeons

[samthetvcat]

---"and you are instant road kill if you are hit by a *** in an SUV, but you can''t beat the savings in gas!"---
Posted by NAUcoming4U

omg - I actually saw this happen and it was traumatizing. Better to take public transportation unless you live in a rural area folks. Scooters are death traps :(

[hypnotoad72]

1.4 miles to work? He is a dork! A bicycle, motorbike, or even walking is far more efficient than a $5000 fisher price toy. Not to mention how the sagweigh lacks a proper bin for easy transport of goods...

[djpompea]

$5000?! That is rather steep considering that you can buy an electric scooter (wheels in-line) for a few hundred dollars, that would do the same thing. Ok, not everything -- you''d have to put your foot down when you stop. I''d be willing to do that and keep the extra $4800 in my pocket.

[incog-nito]

Why don''t they allow microcars like they have in Europe? They may be flimsy, but still safer than a scooter.

[prairiefox1]

WHAT EVER HAPPENED TO THE CUSHMAN?

[naucoming4u]

It has been awhile since I have seen any Vespa and Honda motor scooters on the streets. But now, they are becoming more and more prevalent. They look like toys, and you are instant road kill if you are hit by a *** in an SUV, but you can''t beat the savings in gas!