Broward County condo wants to stop resident's use of Segway

[Sandy]

The condo association should be applauding Mr. Blumenthal for his use of a Segway! I don't understand why the condo association would rather have him doing his errands using a car that belches out pollution, uses expensive gasoline, and is generally bad for the environment. On a Segway, Mr. Blumenthal is outside, enjoying nature, and getting a heck of a lot more exercise standing on the machine than sitting on his derriere in a car. Walking is great too, but it's simply not practical for longer distances. The Segway is a wonderful transportation alternative to the car. Bravo Mr. Blumenthal!!!

[HAD IT]

DKR wrote:

<quoted text>
Why did you want to live in a no-pet community? What's your specific problem with pets? Granted, large, sloppy dogs (mostly but not necessarily dogs) with irresponsible owners who let them bark all day and night and who don't pick up after them when they go outside is a genuine nuisance and should be fined with escalating consequences if the problem's unresolved. What about small, quiet pets? Cats that never go outdoors? If your neighbor has one of those within the walls of their unit and you can't even tell it's there, how is that an infringement on your rights?
I have always been very wary of people who don't want pets in their communities. Not everyone wants to be a pet owner, granted. And irresponsible pet owners have no business owning pets. But if you don't know it's there, how is that an infringement of your rights?

What a jerk all about what this MORON wants go jerk o--ff.

[Old Gator]

Another bunch of spiteful idiots with nothing better to do and no other way to prove they matter to the universe than by running a condo association and making others miserable. I wouldn't live in a condo or a neighborhood with a homeowner's association to qualify for an organ transplant.

[THIS AINT RIGHT]

Expert_Glider wrote:

<quoted text>
The self balancing capabilities of the Segway are
accomplished through the use of tilt sensors and
gyroscopes. This limits the Segway's ability to
continue forward if it were to run into another
person or obstacle.
Upon that encounter, unlike a power wheelchair
or motorized scooter which would continue to
propel itself forward, the handlebars would push
back causing the tilt sensors to stop the Segway
and reverse its forward motion. The most likely
strike point of the Segway would be in the upper
body area of another human being versus the most
likely strike point of the power wheelchair or
motorized scooter being below the knee of another
person.

So would you say it is safer than a golf cart, electric wheelchair or motorized scooter?

[THIS AINT RIGHT]

I plan on renting one of these when we go to Disney. One of the family members who is going has peripheral vascular disease and cannot walk long distances. This person does not want to use a wheelchair. I would think this segway is the safest thing to use in a crowded park as it cannot continue to propel itself forward when it comes in contact with an obstacle/person. Plus it is no as dehumanizing as the alternatives.

Segways are the perfect mode of transport for people with peripheral vascular disease and I would think that is why this man uses it. People with this disease cannot walk far without pain and it saves on gasoline.

[disappointed]

THIS AINT RIGHT wrote:

I plan on renting one of these when we go to Disney. One of the family members who is going has peripheral vascular disease and cannot walk long distances. This person does not want to use a wheelchair. I would think this segway is the safest thing to use in a crowded park as it cannot continue to propel itself forward when it comes in contact with an obstacle/person. Plus it is no as dehumanizing as the alternatives.
Segways are the perfect mode of transport for people with peripheral vascular disease and I would think that is why this man uses it. People with this disease cannot walk far without pain and it saves on gasoline.

unfortunately, disney will only allow individuals to use it as part of a group guided tour andnot by one's self.

[mack]

condo associations need to be outlawed in florida. they are being run by little old men with alzheimers who can only get off by ruining everyone else's life.

[Richard Hough]

I live in a condo and hate to see the boards go too deeply into the lives and freedoms we all enjoy. There are idiots everywhere tho.

[Stanley Blumenthal]

This is me, Stan the 83 young Segway man.
UNCONDITIONAL SURRENDER, CLASS ACTION, Sunrise Lakes Condo, Phase 4, Inc. 3,
no phony balony doc note needed. My claim is that their complaint is without merrit and frivilous. It is yet to be submitted to the court so the next move is theirs. May get a lawyer if they do. Segways do not have throttles or brakes, lean foward goes foward, lean back goes back. In both cases its smooth and controlable including the brakeing. Turning on my early model is by a ring on left handle grip, current ones is by tilting the column. My understanding is that the motion is contolled by foot sensors, gyros and center of gravity which changes as one leans and the wheels spin to catch up. Want to try it ? Punch up Segway tours, there are many, one in Fort Lauderdale. They will teach first timers, its easy. Appreciate all the feed backs, including the negative ones.

[Bob Greasy]

Go, Stan, go!

[MAKM]

I have an auto-immune connective tissue disease which has resulted in over 20 orthopedic surgeries, including 12 knee surgeries and ultimately a knee replacement last year. I live in Washington, DC, a great place for walking AND riding Segways. Walking any significant distance became harder and harder, so I bought a Segway last year. Our high-rise condo building does not have handicap access from the rear door, which is how bicycles must be brought in and out. So I ride my Segway right in the front door onto the elevator. Well, the condo board nazis held a special meeting to pass a new rule that Segways were not allowed to be brought in the front. I went to that meeting and as soon as I brought up ADA access, they shut up. I have saved a fortune in gas and parking, get out to enjoy this beautiful city every day and haven't driven in the city in almost a year, saving tons of carbon emissions. All while having a blast riding.

If we are able to replace 10% of 900 million 3 mile car trips with an eco-friendly Segway PT there would be:
6.2 million fewer gallons of gas consumed.
286 million fewer pounds of CO2 emitted everyday.
Go, Stan, I applaude you!

[Stanley Blumenthal]

Hi Bob Greasy and MAKM
Thanks for your posts. Where did you
two see my Florida Segway story since
you are from Michigan and Wash. D.C.?

[MAKM]

Google Alert for Segways and a link to the article.

Good for you to fight for your right to use your Segway. If you need help from Segway corporate, don't hesitate to contact them. Condo boards are not municipalities or jurisdictions, the laws in Florida are very favorable for the use of EPAMD's.

Hang in there and keep on gliding.

[good try]

It's not a motor vehicle, dummy.

PARK IT wrote:

FSS 320.02

[California gal]

How great is it that Stanley is fit enough to ride a segway at 83. And he's saving fuel...perhaps the national news will pick up on this story...

[Stanley Blumenthal]

Hi everyone
This is Stan the 83 young Segway man.
Would appreciate knowing if my story
was printed in any out-of-town paper? So far no response from the
Condo's lawyer to my response to their letter. Ball is in their
court. Thanks again for all your
comments, including the negative ones.

[NO IT ALL]

disappointerd wrote:

<quoted text>
segway MAXIMUM SPEED is 12.5 mph

Duh, Disappointed!!! Re-read the article --- it specitically says, 20 MPH!!!!!!

[NO IT ALL]

Stanley, bless you for having the courage to print your name. I'm sure the devil-is-in-the-detail, and am also sure what a fine gentleman you are --- and perhaps the condo board is way out of line. But --- you must also know how unconfortable skater and skate boards make people when they are walking. Even some stores have banned those kid's "ball shoes" for this very reason. So, please consider walking your segawy onto public property and get sued yourself instead of all your neighbors. signed, Babe Ruth

[mee]

Why do you floridians live in those condo's where everybody is in everybody's business? What a nitemare place to live

[fuzzy hairy bear]

i just wish he would use a helmet for his own protection,,an by the way IF SEGWAYS ARE SO BAD WHY HAS THE CITY OF HOLLYWOOD POLICE DEPT. BOUGHT THEM TO PATROL THE BROADWALK,,,,,,,,NAZI COMANDERS A.K,A. CONDO BOARDS= SENILE IDIOTS