• cdf12345@lemm.ee
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    2 months ago

    The first Segway.

    They’re were quotes that cities would be designed around this invention. Before it was announced it was a balancing standup scooter.

    • Mossy Feathers (They/Them)@pawb.social
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      2 months ago

      I was legitimately sad it didn’t take off. It was a really cool piece of tech but it got mocked for being nerdy or geeky.

      I wonder how much of that was encouraged by oil and car companies.

      • aasatru@kbin.earth
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        2 months ago

        But… Bikes? How does it improve on bikes, other than being much less safe and more expensive?

        Crazy futurists could even propose we build cities around bikes… but that would be insane, obviously. 🚙

        • cron@feddit.org
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          2 months ago

          I feel that an electric bicycle is better than a segway in every single aspect.

          • aasatru@kbin.earth
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            2 months ago

            I guess maybe segways could in theory take up less parking space… but I’m not entirely sure. They’re wider, and you need to get out somehow. And they strike me as more awkward than bikes if you should need to lift them.

              • aasatru@kbin.earth
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                2 months ago

                This is a point for sure, especially since I assume part of their contribution was that they were supposed to replace not only cycling, but also walking.

                Then again, I’m increasingly excited about electric bicycles. They’re not for me while I still have good knees and all, but as soon as I can’t go everywhere I like with pedal force… I’m sure as hell getting an electric bike. I guess it’s still more exercise than a Segway though.

                • dustyData@lemmy.world
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                  2 months ago

                  Electric assisted can help you keep your knees for longer without depriving you of the exercise. Specially if you’re using it for transportation and not just sport.

                • cron@feddit.org
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                  2 months ago

                  I have an electric bike. And if I set it to the highest support setting, I hardly have to pedal at all. I just need to move my feet, as they control how fast it drives.

                • grue@lemmy.world
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                  2 months ago

                  Even if you can pedal just fine, there are always those situations that are sort of marginal: when you’re feeling kinda lazy so you’re thinking of just driving instead of biking, or it’s a little further than you want to go, or you’re running a little bit late or don’t want to exert yourself and end up getting sweaty, etc. Those are the times when having an e-bike can really make the difference.

                  • MajorMajormajormajor@lemmy.ca
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                    2 months ago

                    Yup, exactly. Or it’s particularly windy that day, or a different route has more hills than usual. The range extending impact is huge, it allows a lot more options on where I can go with my ebike. I can also do small shopping trips with my ebike and not worry about being bogged down (yes, possible without power but it makes it more appealing day to day with power).

          • HubertManne@moist.catsweat.com
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            2 months ago

            getting on and off is way faster and given technology nowadays if you would have an autofollow when you are off or not allow to run so far from you then you don’t need to lock it up oftentimes. That being said I like getting some excersise which is worth the hassel of getting on and off and locking up.

        • Mossy Feathers (They/Them)@pawb.social
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          2 months ago

          Idk, more options? It’s a self-balancing thing-a-ma-bob that takes you places when you stand on it. It’s cool and more options are nice. Also, I find it kinda amusing that you think a Segway-compatible city wouldn’t also be bike-compatible. They max out at like, 12mph. You’re not building a sprawling city around Segways like you would with cars.

          • bionicjoey@lemmy.ca
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            2 months ago

            One of those isn’t a benefit and the other isn’t true. Also, e-bikes are a thing

            • Kecessa@sh.itjust.works
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              2 months ago

              How is that not more compact than a bicycle?

              Also for some people not having to pedal is actually a necessity so yes it’s a benefit to some.

              • bionicjoey@lemmy.ca
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                2 months ago

                Anyone who can’t pedal is also gonna have trouble standing upright and maintaining a neutral balance on a thin board

    • wjrii@lemmy.world
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      2 months ago

      Yes. The “Ginger”/“It” hype was off the charts. People were legitimately wondering if it was going to be some sort of jet pack or something.