Segways are by no means new technology, but they have evolved over the years to look and perform entirely differently from the original Segway PT.
But can you still buy Segways? And are Segways still worth buying?
Since you are here, you are obviously wondering how much the cost of a Segway is.
You might also be curious to know which types of Segways there are, and whether the newer Segway models are still worth buying.
Don’t worry, however, as this guide will answer all your questions – complete with a brief history of the Segway, how Segways work, and if Segways are legal to ride.
So keep reading to find out ‘How Much Is A Segway?’
What Is A Segway?
Before we go into ‘How Much Is A Segway?’, let’s understand what exactly a Segway is.
A Segway is a two-wheeled personal transporter that is powered by an electric motor connected to a chargeable lithium-ion battery. Segway refers to the company, as well as the product itself, often called the Segway PT (personal transporter).
The Segway PT was invented by Dean Kamen and released publicly in 2002. At its peak, the Segway was considered the future of personal mobility, as well as a revolutionary personal transporter in terms of its sustainable and economical potential.
Like an electric scooter, the original Segway PT – as well as subsequent models released by Segway Inc. from 2002 to 2006 – features two wheels, handlebars, and single-passenger capacity. The main difference is that the wheels on a Segway are positioned side by side.
Self-balancing and operated via handlebar controls, including acceleration, braking, and turning, some Segways are able to reach speeds of up to 15 to 20mph, with a max battery life of up to 3 to 5 years.
Types Of Segway
Different types of Segways impact the answer to ‘How Much Is A Segway?’
Seeing as the first-ever Segway was revealed in 2001, it will come as no surprise that Segways have changed over the years.
On the whole, Segways evolved to become more advanced, more functional, smaller, lighter, faster, with better batteries (longer battery life), app companionship, and even off-road capabilities.
Segway can refer to multiple things: the original Segway brand and its product lineup, the Segways released by Ninebot (which acquired Segway Inc. in 2015), and the new “low Segways”, which are more popularly called hoverboards.
The most recent Segway models, which marked the third generation of Segways, released from 2014, include the Segway i2 SE, Segway x2 SE, and the Segway miniPRO.
Despite being commonly referred to as Segways or low Segways, hoverboards are being marketed as an entirely new product.
How Much Is A Segway?
The short answer is that it depends. Segways are notoriously expensive and typically cost $6000 and upwards.
A price of more than $6000 is for the original Segway lineup, as well as the Segways released by Ninebot after Ninebot acquired Segway Inc.
In fact, some of the early criticism surrounding the Segway PT was that it was priced too high and therefore only catered to high-end consumers.
However, the most recently released Segway, the Segway miniPRO, which was released by Ninebot, can cost around $1000.
As for “low Segways”, the newer, more popular Segways that are better known as hoverboards – which have gone on to replace the original Segway – these can cost between $100 and $700.
The lower price tag of hoverboards is due to their more compact size, as well as to make it more accessible to a wider market (a setback of the original Segway PT and subsequent Segway lineup).
Are Segways Illegal?
In the US, Segways are not considered motor vehicles, and therefore are not permitted to be ridden on sidewalks. On roads, Segways must be used in accordance with state laws, which can include speed, minimum age, and the use of safety gear (helmets).
As a general rule, it is important to be familiar with local laws before riding a Segway. It is important that the rider is competent, with some basic knowledge and awareness of the rules of the road.
How Safe Are Segways?
Like any personal transporter or two/three-wheeled vehicle, Segways can pose a greater risk of injury to the rider. Segways can be used safely, however, as long as the driver can competently ride one, wearing the appropriate safety gear and following the local laws, such as speed limits.
In general, Segways are not to be used on sidewalks, where they can be a risk to other pedestrians. Segways can also be challenging to balance on for beginners, therefore it is important the rider is competent, together with basic driver awareness and knowledge of the road rules.
Are Segways Being Discontinued?
Segways are no longer be manufactured by Ninebot, the company that acquired Segway Inc. in 2015. This was announced in June 2020 due to poor sales, attributed to the high price tag, the difficulty to learn how to ride a Segway, and various notable accidents involving famous celebrities.
At the same time, electric scooters experienced a rise in popularity and have since become the more popular option in terms of personal transportation.
Despite Segways being discontinued, hoverboards are considered their direct successor. Hoverboards are similar in design, except that they do not feature the tall handlebars of the original Segway lineup.
Can You Still Buy Segways?
Yes – you can still buy Segways, but this is mostly limited to the newer versions (Segway i2 SE, Segway x2 SE, and Segway miniPRO) released by Ninebot. These are still available if you want to purchase a brand new Segway.
However, Segways of the original lineup, released by Segway Inc., can also still be purchased second-hand/pre-owned from Segway dealers, personal transporter dealers, and original owners of first and second generation Segways.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the original Segway PT and subsequent models released by Segway Inc. costed upwards of $6000. Segways have been discontinued, however, with hoverboards now considered as the direct successor to Segways.
Segways were discontinued due to the unfavorable price tag, how difficult they were to learn, and various high-profile accidents that involved Segways. As for hoverboards, also called “low Segways”, these can cost in the range of $100 to $700.
We hope you found this article on ‘How Much Is A Segway?’ helpful!
- How To Bring A Skateboard On An Airplane - February 2, 2022
- How Much Does an E-Bike Cost? - February 2, 2022
- How To Charge A Hoverboard Without A Charger? - February 1, 2022
