Segway inventor Dean Kamen
צילום: איי אף פי
‘Segway’ coming to Tel Aviv
Revolutionary electric-powered transportation device to hit city streets after minister takes “test drive”
TEL AVIV - A revolutionary self-balancing electric-powered “human transporter” will soon hit the streets of Tel Aviv, after getting the transportation minister’s go-ahead.
Meir Sheetrit decided to approve the use of the Segway transportation device after taking a “test drive” Tuesday.
The transporter could potentially revolutionize the way Tel Avivians move around their notoriously traffic-clogged city. Currently, many local residents are resorting to mopeds in a bid to avoid traffic jams and circumvent one-way streets.
The Segway stirred great interest after being presented overseas about three years ago, following a lengthy and expansive development process.
The transporter features exceptional stability on a variety of surfaces and can reach a maximum speed of 20 kilometers an hour (about 12.5 miles per hour.)
More expensive than a moped
The Transportation Ministry says it may also permit the use of the Segway in shopping malls. Until now, the device was only authorized in enclosed spaces, but the ministry decided to reconsider the question after other countries allowed the transporter on city streets.
If the Segway proves itself in Tel Aviv, it will be permitted for use in other cities as well. In the United States, 46 states have already approved the Segway, as did Italy, France, Hungary, Austria, Spain, and Portugal.
Other European countries are also expected to authorize the Segway for outdoor use in the near future.
However, despite its modest size, the device is more expensive than most mopeds here and goes for NIS 25,000-32,000 (about USD 5,500-7,000.)
