Make way for the eco-friendly Segway

WOULDN'T it be fantastic if there was a form of transport that didn't belt out any nasty fumes and was cheap to run?

There is — the Segway. It's a high-tech, self-balancing, battery-powered scooter with two wheels side by side.

It needs electricity to charge up the lithium ion battery, but it's 14 times more efficient than the average car and if you travelled short journeys by Segway instead of car for one year, you would save a ton of carbon dioxide from being released into the atmosphere.

Segways look very futuristic — the sort of wacky product that would be on display at a design show or sci-fi convention — but they are available here and now.

Jeff Lawrence, from Heavitree, Exeter, started the dealership Segway Southwest in February 2007.

That year, the company won a green award for an alternative automotive device, and last year it won a Green Hero Award.

"The Segway is an environmentally sound machine," said Jeff, who glides to work on his Segway in the bus lanes. "There are no emissions and there's no pollution.

"It costs 5p to charge it up overnight and it runs between 24 and 30 miles on a single charge, depending on the load.

"Based on a diesel price of £1.09 a litre, the Segway works out at an equivalent of 2,684 miles per gallon."

Riding a Segway, you get the wind in your hair and fresh air in your lungs — though exposure to the elements is a mixed blessing, depending on the weather. Segways can be used in the rain and indoors too for that matter.

The sceptics say why not just ride a bicycle — which has the added bonus of keeping you fit.

But bikes aren't suitable for everyone. Most commuters don't have shower facilities at work and don't want to arrive all hot and sweaty.

Bikes are also unstable at very slow speeds, such as in crowded areas, but Segways don't have this problem as they have a complex system of computers, gyroscopes and motors that ensure they always stay upright.

Segways are made by a US-based firm but the gyroscopes used in them are produced by BAE Systems in Plymouth.

Also, the less fit cyclists find going up hills hard work, whereas Segways make hills up to an almost one in seven gradient, well, a piece of cake.

Some people can't cycle due to health or physical limitations such as a breathing disorder or the inability to use their legs. People with conditions such as MS and rheumatoid arthritis can use a Segway because it is easy to learn and effortless to do.

Riders simply stand on the scooter and lean forwards to speed up — to a maximum of 12.5mph — and lean backwards to slow down. Turns left and right are made using the handlebar, the height of which can be adjusted.

In fact, it requires so little effort from the rider, it is slightly eerie to see people almost motionless yet gliding along at a running pace, especially as Segways are virtually silent.

An advantage over the traditional mobility scooter is that, as riders are standing on a platform eight inches off the ground, they have greater visibility. The only downside, however, is that a Segway will set you back as much as a decent second-hand car would.

Jeff said: "They cost £5,000 and they're worth every penny of fun."

But the cost is probably the main reason that Segways are rarely seen — which is also why the quirky machines raise smiles from bemused bystanders every time riders pass on one.

It's impossible not to bear the so-called 'Segway smile' yourself when you're riding one — they make travelling a pleasure and after a little while the personal transporter feels like an extension of your own body.

Most likely, then, until Segways come down significantly in price, they will remain a novelty and a status symbol — one of those cool, aspirational gadgets that are a mystery to those who are unfamiliar with them because it's impossible to guess what they are from their name alone.

They are not going to replace bicycles — and no one is suggesting that they should. But it's important to give people more options to get out of their cars.

Another advantage over cars is that Segways don't need a parking space and can be left securely by removing the InfoKey controller from the unit.

The InfoKey controller provides information such as battery life and speed, and it has a built-in anti-theft system.

Should anyone try to tamper with a parked Segway, an alarm will sound, the Segway will start vibrating, the wheels will lock and an alert will be sent to the InfoKey controller which can be kept in the owner's pocket.

It seems a shame that something so practical and fun is so elitist. But happily, they are available for everyone to experience.

Segway Southwest runs trail tours of Haldon forest. This is one of only three places in this country where people can do tours by Segway.

For more information, call 07545 917416.