JOHN DENISTON
Staff Writer
The Princeton Review ranks Pepperdine as the most beautiful college campus in America, but daily pedestrian commutes may lead students to imagine an even more beautiful university – a Pepperdine without hills.
This seemingly far-fetched notion of vaporizing the stair-stepping effort from our campus might become a reality thanks to a “human transporter:” the Segway HT.
Released in late 2001 by New Hampshire-based Segway LLC, the Segway is a self-balancing, electric stand-up scooter capable of reaching speeds up to 12.5 mph. Available today in four models – an off-road Segway XT, colorful Segway i180, lightweight Segway p133 and golf-ready Segway GT – all Segways use microprocessors, tilt sensors and gyroscopes to continuously balance themselves, according to the company’s Web site.
The Segway became widely available in 2003 at an entry price of about $5,000. Today, the model range is priced from $3,995 through $5,000, according to Jason Stemmler, president of Santa Monica-based Segway Los Angeles.
But is it right for a student? The answer demands an understanding of the Segway’s brief past and present possibilities.
The Segway is the product of inventor Dean Kamen’s decade of research in balance technology, which he originally implemented while confined to an assistive wheelchair, according to the company.
The sales brochure promises: “Lean forward, and you move forward. Lean back, and you move back. Straighten up, and you stop. Operation is natural and intuitive.”
Segway’s ease of use isn’t limited to the straight and level. An instructional video at Segway Los Angeles said it can literally turn on a coin and climb or descend inclines up to 20 degrees in pitch.
Recent innovations in battery technology have doubled the Segway’s effective riding range, now traveling up to 24 miles on a single charge, according to the company’s promotional literature.
The literature also highlighted the Segway’s electric batteries, which will recharge at any conventional power outlet using a widely available, laptop-like power adapter. The company estimated a full charge costs about 10 cents worth of electricity, and 15 minutes of charge should supply one mile of riding range.
For security, each Segway gets a digital, 64-bit encrypted ignition key unique to itself, according to the company.
Critics charge, however, that the Segway could be a safety hazard in especially hilly regions. A recent Associated Press article featured in “Wired” magazine reported that officials in San Francisco worry about Segways falling over and lacking adequate safety provisions for older users. The article also noted that some pedestrian advocates are preparing to fight Segway because of the machine’s encroachment on walking paths.
According to Jason Stemmler, president of Segway Los Angeles, the Segway’s intention is to replace the short-distance car trip. Stemmler cites Environmental Protection Agency estimates indicating that Americans take more than 900 million car trips daily, half of which are for distances less than five miles.
“Even if we only eliminated 10 percent of those car trips, we’d be making a huge difference,” Stemmler said.
Transforming those short-distance car drivers into Segway users wouldn’t just be a victory for the environment but also for consumers, he said. Stemmler thinks the initial cost isn’t reflective of the product’s full value.
“The value depends on what you are not spending by using this,” he said. “This could be your primary transportation.”
California state law classifies Segway riders as pedestrians. Such acceptance has led to local Segway adoption by the Metro-politan Transit Authority security, Los Angeles Sheriff’s office, Long Beach police and most recently the Burbank Airport.
Recent developments show that Segway’s potential may not be limited to just short-distance car trips. In 2004, a team of riders completed the “America at 10 mph” competition by successfully riding their Segways from coast to coast.
One alternative to Segways, other than conventional automobiles, are small motor scooters such as Vespas.
Vespas are sold in Santa Monica, just blocks away from Segway Los Angeles. A Vespa investment compares favorably to a Segway purchase, with starting prices between $3999 and $4399.
The Vespa introduces maintenance and gasoline costs, but offers further flexibility with speeds up to 65 mph and authorization for travel on public streets.
Pepperdine students are weighing the advantages in both Segways and Vespas.
“I’d have to take the Vespa. More versatility and better style make it a solid investment,” junior Taylor Williams said. “And I’ll take combustion over batteries any day.”
Others disagree.
“I’m a big fan of the Segway,” senior Alex Moore said. “Anything else is just stuck in the past.”
For those interested in making the decision firsthand, Segway Los Angeles offers a two-hour tour that combines a Segway orientation with an exploration of Santa Monica and Venice area beaches and piers. The tour costs $75, a charge that can later be applied toward a Segway purchase.
While Segway dealer Jason Stemmler admits that his typical Segway buyer has been a 35- to 65-year-old male, he believes his product would thrive with students.
“This efficiency makes complete sense for a student,” he said. “Imagine being able to quickly reach your destination while not being restricted to streets or parking spaces. And it’s fun.”
Though Segways aren’t regularly visible on the Malibu campus, they have been here before. Segway Los Angeles rented four scooters for use in a soon-to-be aired episode of Zoey, the Nickelodeon series filmed this summer on campus.
It’s uncertain which product, if any, will take hold. Someday, hikes uphill on campus could be interrupted by a friend silently gliding to his or her next class – without breaking a sweat.
09-15-2005
