Segway rolls its transportation alternative into Columbia
By Drew Stewart, posted 5/3/06

Tyler Marsh sits relaxed, with a smile on his face. The market operations manager of Columbia’s new Segway store exudes the reassurance of a salesman who has the utmost confidence in his product.

“My goal is to have everyone on a Segway,” Marsh said. “I’d love to see everyone wearing a Segway smile.”

Last December, Segway moved one step closer to that goal by opening their first Columbia location, listed as Segway of Missouri. Their product, the Segway human transport vehicle, is a two-wheeled electronic device with a self balancing system known as “dynamic stabilization.” With this technology, to move backwards or forwards, the driver needs only to lean in the direction they want to go. Turning to the left or the right is controlled by twisting the vehicle’s left handle. The Segway's maximum speed is 12.5 mph.  

All Segways begin at $4,995. Other accessories such as side cargo bags and removable headlights are available for an additional cost. 

At this point though, the price tag is becoming a deterrent for some MU students.

“$4,995 is a lot of money to spend on [secondary] transportation,” MU sophomore secondary education major Joe Catalano said. “You could buy a car for that much.”

Strangely enough, that’s a rational Tyler supports.

“Segways are a good substitute for cars,” Tyler said. “For students who commute in town, it would be just as effective. Also, you’d never have to deal with parking violations.”   

With the continuous rise in gas prices, substituting a Segway for a car may not seem like such a wild idea. The Segway’s lithium ion battery gets 25 miles per charge (a charge taking six hours). If one was to equate this to gas mileage (by amount of energy used), then the Segway would get roughly 680 miles per gallon, Tyler said.

Segway has yet to really get its product rolling in Columbia. Tyler equates the store’s slow sales to lack of advertising. Segway of Missouri plans to remedy this problem by releasing numerous radio and television promotions this spring and summer, Tyler said.

Anyone interested in purchasing or trying out a Segway human transport vehicle can stop by Segway of Missouri at 2703 E. Broadway, Suite 220, or call the store at (573) 777-1600.  Prospective customers can also visit their Web site.

As for the future of Segways in Columbia, Tyler remains confident in his company’s product.

“Everyone who’s tried it has loved it,” Tyler said. “They always walk away with a Segway smile.”  

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