SegWayFest Las Vegas - National Fest

[macgeek]

Even though Segways have been getting bad press in nevada, I really think we should do a national segfest in Las Vegas, at a off strip hotel (Like the orlenes or the main street station) for several reasons.

1) Food, food and more food
2) Rooms lots of room, cheap
3) Great fares and flights
4) Beautiful weather
5) shows, gambling and any other thing you can think of!

What do YOU think?

Jonathan


"Think outside the car"
http://bandster.us/pms.jpg

[macgeek]

just some more ramblings, we could get a hotel to allow segs thru the casino, and even get the mayor to give us special dispensation to allow segs on the strip for the period of the convention.

I think it would be, dare I say FABULOUS!

Jonathan

[wwhopper]

Next October, I am doing a Mercedes-Benz Club National event - Starfest - in Las Vegas, and the planning for that has already begun.

I heard that gliding is now forbidden on the strip - has that been confirmed by anyone?

So far SegwayFest possible places are Akron Ohio, and Copper Colorado, both places have sent in presentations to SEGAmerica for us to consider their cities as possible venues.

Will W Hopper
DCSEG Member
SEG America Event's Premier Event - SegwayFest - DC Is Now Just A Memory
http://www.segwayfest.com/dc.html
Washington DC - The Most Segway Friendly City in America!

[Jman44]

I haven't heard of any bad reps here in Reno. I would definately like a Nevada or California Segfest though.

[X-man]

Jonathan,
You won't glide through the Orleans. I was challenged there last Jan, when, as a guest just going through to the exit door from my room, until they saw my sticker and gave me the OK.
That OK was for ingress and egress only.
The heck of it was that I glided from the airport to the registration desk and onto my room with zero problems.





Bob.

To repeat what others have said requires education; to appropriately challenge what others have said, requires brains.

[william collins]

How about New York City, Atlantic City,Or Wildwood N.J....Mabey Boston MA

IN GOD WE TRUST

[Tarkus]

The southeast in the winter.

http://www.segwaychat.com/photos/Tarkus/elp1tarkusfava.JPGTarkus-See me in my photo album

[Billy Kirkland]

Just return from Las Vegas today, I meet with the local dealer and talk to some police on there bikes. They inform me at this time the segways are legal on sidewalks. The owner let me take one for ride down the strip. The number of people and all the work along the strip made it no fun to glide. Was inform that I could take the segways inside the casino only to my room or restaurant they rent the segways for $99.00 a day and also tours. I have there card at work will email latter all the info.
Billy

[kittycatP]

Since you mentioned NYC, I will be in the next summer SegMeet 2, with a not pink but really sexxy Seg. I hear the event will be with the NYC Next Fest, so yall come! and see me too!

[itbeme]

I just got back from Las Vegas and I had no problem crusing the strip. I even went thru the casinos of the Mirage(where I stayed), Venetian, and Ceasars with out incident.Most of the security wanted to know all about the Segway and were very pleasent. When it came to shopping in Ceasars and Venetian, I was asked to leave.
My concern is that the HT is primarily seen as a disability device as opposed to what it was designed for, Human Transportation.
Vegas would be fun for a 'Fest, but not until the city loosened up about Segways. You would think that a city born on hedonism and debauchery would chill.

You may grow old, but you never have to grow up!

[X-man]

I would venture to say that if you glided up to a Baccarat table with a 12.0 bag full of $1000 chips, they would let you stay.
Me, on the other hand, with those chips in my bag sure as heck wouldn't be in a casino in Vegas, I'd head for Monaco or Macau.



Bob.

To repeat what others have said requires education; to appropriately challenge what others have said, requires brains.

[Tarkus]

quote:Originally posted by itbeme

I just got back from Las Vegas and I had no problem crusing the strip. I even went thru the casinos of the Mirage(where I stayed), Venetian, and Ceasars with out incident.Most of the security wanted to know all about the Segway and were very pleasent. When it came to shopping in Ceasars and Venetian, I was asked to leave.
My concern is that the HT is primarily seen as a disability device as opposed to what it was designed for, Human Transportation.
Vegas would be fun for a 'Fest, but not until the city loosened up about Segways. You would think that a city born on hedonism and debauchery would chill.

You may grow old, but you never have to grow up!


I know you didn't mean that statement as it sounded.

The unsought market may account for more sales to the general public than we think. The big sales push is at the industrial/comerical market not the private user

I've seen 2 segs in the wild, not counting tour co., and both had a placard on them. Any other HT's were at airports etc.

Do you feel thats a bad thing, universal design that many people can use regardless of their condition?

Hard to say how that would effect marketing.

http://www.segwaychat.com/photos/Tarkus/elp1tarkusfava.JPGTarkus-See me in my photo album

[JaredHT]

quote:wwhopper wrote:
So far SegwayFest possible places are Akron Ohio...

Will, thanks for bringing that up! I know many people probably wouldn't understand why Akron would be great for a Fest, so I'd be happy to field question about it. I think it could be WONDERFUL!

Peace,

JaredHT
Jared M. Cavalier
[/:)][/:)][/:)][/:)][/:)]
Segway of Ohio
330.535.2200 (office)
330.903.4100 (cell)
[/:)][/:)][/:)][/:)][/:)]

[wwhopper]

Let me think....OHIO?

First of all, FOUR (count them 4,) GREAT SEGWAY Dealers! And not to far from Indiana, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Kentucky and West Virginia!

Easy to get to location for the east coast.

Not a place that folks would go to on their own, but interesting sights to see and experieence, both there and on the way to and from there.

Ohio is sure worth a review. Other sites are also under consideration. Both east and west coast - but most importantly in-between so that they are easily gotten to from a variety of places.

Will W Hopper
DCSEG Member
SEG America Event's Premier Event - SegwayFest - DC Is Now Just A Memory
http://www.segwayfest.com/dc.html
Washington DC - The Most Segway Friendly City in America!

[Tarkus]

If your thinking about the southeast I'm willing to lend a hand.

http://www.segwaychat.com/photos/Tarkus/elp1tarkusfava.JPGTarkus-See me in my photo album

[JohnM]

Looks like the Clark County Commission is voting on banning Segways from the LasVegas strip today.

http://www.casinocitytimes.com/news/article.cfm?contentID=153923

Saying No to Segways
4 October 2005

by J. Craig Anderson

By Our Partners at the Las Vegas Sun

When it comes to cruising up and down the Las Vegas Strip, public safety officials are hoping the Clark County Commission will say "no way" to the Segway.

The county's Public Works Department has submitted a proposed ordinance, scheduled for a vote today, that would prohibit use of the two-wheeled Segway Human Transporter on the Strip's heavily congested sidewalks.

The battery-powered scooters may be fine for beachside boardwalks where there is room to share with pedestrians, bicyclists and in-line skaters, Public Works spokesman Bobby Shelton said, but they don't belong on the crowded curbs of Las Vegas Boulevard.

"If you don't have the ordinance, then you can't stop people from using them," he said.

In 2003 the Legislature granted Segway users the same rights as pedestrians, hoping more residents would use them as an alternative to gasoline-fueled vehicles. Those rights include being able to legally ride the scooters on sidewalks.

This year the Legislature took up the issue again in a bill requested by Clark County to address concerns about use of the devices along the Strip.

Gov. Kenny Guinn signed the bill into law May 19, authorizing county commissions and city councils to impose restrictions, opening the door for today's expected vote.

Sen. Maggie Carlton, D-Las Vegas, had opposed the bill, saying she was a Segway owner and didn't want the county to regulate those who own the devices. Still, it passed 19-1 in the Senate and 40-0 in the Assembly.

There haven't been any reported incidents involving Segways, but Shelton said they move too fast and require practice to avoid hitting pedestrians in tight spaces.

According to the manufacturer, Segways can go between 8 and 12 1/2 mph, depending on the rider's skill and the terrain. The company says 8 mph is the maximum speed for riding on a sidewalk.

Segway scooters would still be allowed on sidewalks everywhere else in the state, unless another local government body imposes its own restrictions.

Entrepreneur Larry Lambeth, who opened a business in 2004 renting Segways at Fashion Show mall, had said he hoped to one day provide the same service to people on the Strip.

But Lambeth's business, Fun Transport, has since shut down, Shelton said.

[KSagal]

I like Las Vegas, it surely is a fun playground for adults. Parts of it are family oriented, but the strip is more for adults, and I would think that it would be fun with segs...

I would also suggest that off strip made more sense anyway, because of the conjestion and price.

One problem with Vegas, however is that, unless you are from California, it is pretty much a airborn city. It is very difficult to drive there from most of the population centers except southern California.

With the LiIons, air travel with segs is not perfected yet. Because of that, and the likelyhood that there will be more in the field on new and old segs by the next fest, I think we should choose a location or locations that are more drive friendly.

Just my opinion...

Karl Ian Sagal

Each road you travel should be just a bit better for having had you pass.

[macgeek]

I think, That a dealer who rented LI/ON Batteries. would make a GOOD chunka Casha!

For fest attendees

Jonathan

[Stan671]

quote:There haven't been any reported incidents involving Segways, but Shelton said they move too fast and require practice to avoid hitting pedestrians in tight spacesWell, I must be a genius and the perfect athlete because I took to riding a Segway HT faster than I took to riding a bike or in-line skates.

I'd like to see the statistics on bicycle and in-line skater incidents.

Stan Dobrowski

[JohnM]

quote:Originally posted by Stan671

quote:There haven't been any reported incidents involving Segways, but Shelton said they move too fast and require practice to avoid hitting pedestrians in tight spacesWell, I must be a genius and the perfect athlete because I took to riding a Segway HT faster than I took to riding a bike or in-line skates.

I'd like to see the statistics on bicycle and in-line skater incidents.You need a better strawman to knock down. Attacking bicycles does nothing to bolster your case. Cyclists are not fighting for sidewalk rights and there's really no need to look at the statisitics. Bikes don't belong on sidewalks, people know it and have written sensible laws against it. A cyclist can be fined $20 for riding on a Las Vegas sidewalk.

http://www.rtcsouthernnevada.com/bicyclemap/Brochure2.pdf

JohnM
Anything worth doing for 2 hours is 10 times more worthwhile if done for 20 hours.
RUSA #235

[JohnM]

Hearing postponed.

http://www.casinocitytimes.com/news/article.cfm?contentID=153955


Segway Proposal Rolls to a Stop
5 October 2005

By J. Craig Anderson

By Our Partners at the Las Vegas Sun

The Clark County Commission on Tuesday pulled from its agenda a proposed ordinance that would ban the use of Segways on the Las Vegas Strip.

The decision to remove the item came after a local dealer, Segway of Las Vegas, complained that the ordinance would hurt the Strip business, which sells, rents and conducts tours with the electric devices that carry a standing driver. Segway of Las Vegas is at 3049 Las Vegas Blvd. South, across from the Stardust.

John Toth, traffic management division director for Clark County Public Works, said his office notified Segway store manager Bryan Schaup of the proposed ban two weeks ago because state law requires affected businesses to be informed.

Based on Schaup's objections, Toth said his office will conduct additional research to determine if the devices are safe for use on the Strip's crowded sidewalks. He also will look at how other major cities have dealt with them.

Schaup said he invited county officials to his dealership last week to show them that Segways are safe and easy to use. Although the devices are capable of speeds greater than 10 mph, the ones Schaup rents are modified so they can't exceed 4 mph, he said.

"It's almost impossible to hurt a pedestrian with one," he said.

Schaup also said he won't rent to customers unless they have prior Segway experience or agree to take a one-hour class.

The dealership charges $100 per day to rent a Segway. Schaup said he rents an average of five each week.

Toth said his concerns include the weight of Segways -- 85 pounds plus the driver's weight -- and the potential number of them on sidewalks if their popularity increases.

"What happens if somebody has a fleet of 100 of these things?" he said.

Still, Toth said, he will gather more information before going back to the commission, which could take several weeks.

"It's possible that what we proposed and what actually gets introduced could be two different things," Toth said.

JohnM
Anything worth doing for 2 hours is 10 times more worthwhile if done for 20 hours.
RUSA #235

[tpkanaley]

Someone needs to get this guy the study that was done and that was presented at the SegwayFest DC ... the study clearly indicates how well Segways fit into pedestrian environments. And the author of the study results used a Segway during the anti-war march in DC... sorry but the sidewalks in LV aren't THAT crowded! He was new to the Segway and no problems at all.


Tim Kanaley
DCSEG Member
Thanks to all participated in SegwayFest - DC! We enjoyed having you here!

Washington DC - The Most Segway Friendly City in America!

[CVINTON]

Does anyone know the outcome of Segway use in Las Vegas?

[X-man]

JOHN,
Go "pedal" your remarks elsewhere.
I've been all over the strip, on the monorail, in and out of casinos, the convention center, and even to the top of the Stratosphere on my Segway with no adverse remarks or problems.
Yes, I have a sticker on the machine but it shouldn't have any bearing on the matter.
Your negativity is getting to be old hat.


Bob.

“The best day of your life is the one on which you decide your life is your own. No apologies or excuses. No one to lean on, rely on, or blame. The gift is yours - it is an amazing journey - and you alone are responsible for the quality of it. This is the day your life really begins.”
Bob Moawad

[voiceguy]

Good question; Does anyone know the current ruling on Segway use in Las Vegas, on the strip?

Alan

"Every journey of one hundred thousand feet ... begins with but a single lean forward..."

[griefer]

Good question; Does anyone know the current ruling on Segway use in Las Vegas, on the strip?



Yep, unfortunately. Here's the three key sections:

14.42.020 Definitions.

The terms and words used in this chapter have those definitions set out in Chapter 14.04 of this title except as set out below:

(a) “Vehicle” means every device in, upon or by which any person or property is or may be transported or drawn.

(b) “Bicycle” means a device upon which persons may ride, having two tandem wheels or every such device generally recognized as a bicycle though equipped with one or more front and/or one or more rear wheels. A bicycle is not a moped.

(c) “Electric personal assistive mobility device (“EPAMD”) means a self-balancing, two nontandem wheeled device, designed to transport only one person, with an electric propulsion system that limits the maximum speed of the device to fifteen miles per hour or less.

(d) “Pedicab” means:

(1) A bicycle that has three or more wheels, that transports, or is capable of transporting, passengers on seats attached to the bicycle, that is operated by one or more persons, whether human propelled or motor assisted, and that is used for transporting one or more passengers or property; or

(2) A bicycle that pulls or pushes a trailer, sidecar, or similar device, that transports, or is capable of transporting, passengers on seats attached to the trailer, sidecar, or similar device, that is operated by one or more persons, whether human propelled or motor assisted, and that is used for transporting passengers or property.

(e) “Rickshaw” means a two or more wheeled vehicle designed to carry one or more passengers that is pulled by one or more persons.

(f) Business District. “Business district” means the area contiguous to and including a highway when within any six hundred feet along such highway where there are buildings in use for business or industrial purposes, including but not limited to hotels, casinos, banks, office buildings, shopping malls, airports or public buildings which occupy at least three hundred feet of frontage on one side or three hundred feet collectively on both sides of the highway.

(g) “Restricted area” means the area contiguous to and including the following highways:

(1) That portion of Las Vegas Boulevard from Russell Road to Sahara Avenue;

(2) That portion of Mandalay Bay Road from Luxor Drive to Las Vegas Boulevard;

(3) That portion of Tropicana Avenue from Koval Lane to two hundred feet west of its intersection with Las Vegas Boulevard;

(4) That portion of Harmon Avenue from Interstate Highway 15 to Audrie Street;

(5) That portion of Flamingo Road from Koval Lane to two hundred feet west of its intersection with Las Vegas Boulevard;

(6) That portion of Spring Mountain/Sands Avenue, from the Fashion Show Drive to Koval Lane;

(7) Each remaining highway not listed above that intersects Las Vegas Boulevard between Russell Road and Sahara Avenue for a distance of two hundred feet west and two hundred feet east of its intersection with Las Vegas Boulevard;

(8) That portion of Paradise Road from Harmon Avenue to Karen Avenue;

(9) Each highway that intersects Paradise Road from Harmon Avenue to Karen Avenue for a distance of two hundred feet east and two hundred feet west of its intersection with Paradise Road; and

(10) That portion of Convention Center Drive from Las Vegas Boulevard to Paradise Road. (Ord. 3338 § 1 (part), 2006)


14.42.035 Electric personal assistive mobility devices (“EPAMD”).

(a) It is unlawful for any person to ride, use, drive or otherwise operate an EPAMD on the highways, public sidewalks, or any other sidewalk with a public access easement contiguous to the highway in the restricted area, unless exempt under Section 14.42.050.

(b) Whenever any person is operating an EPAMD upon a public sidewalk, or upon any other sidewalk with a public access easement, the speed of the EPAMD shall not exceed five mph, and the operator shall yield right-of-way to any person afoot or person in a wheelchair and shall exercise due care and give an audible signal when passing an afoot pedestrian or a wheelchair pedestrian. (Ord. 3338 § 1 (part), 2006)

14.42.050 Exemptions.

The following persons are exempt from the restriction of Sections 14.42.030, 14.42.035(a) and 14.42.040:

(a) Persons operating, driving or propelling animal drawn vehicles or rickshaws on private property located in the business district;

(b) Persons operating, driving or propelling pedicabs or EPAMDs on private property located in the restricted area;

(c) Persons operating, driving or propelling animal-drawn vehicles, pedicabs or rickshaws in any parade for which a permit has been issued pursuant to Chapter 6.84 of this code;

(d) Persons using, driving or operating an EPAMD in the restricted area who have a disability or a medical condition that necessitates the use of the EPAMD; and

(e) Persons exempted by federal law while operating on interstate highways. (Ord. 3338 § 1 (part), 2006)

[macgeek]

Does this mean, a segway can be ridden in the streets?
and also in casinos (private property) so you have access into casinos, etc
but you are just NOT allowed on the sidewalks?

Jonathan

[Florida Ever-Glides]

I think that a wonderful location for the next SegwayFest would be San Antonio, TX. There is great riding at the Alamo and the Riverwalk, and a lot of riding around the area. It is centrally located, historic, and has several Segway related businesses in the immediate area.

The weather is perfect in October.

Second choice: Sarasota, FL. The Hyatt has told me that they would love to host the event some time in the future and we have great weather and riding!

[Timezkware Tim]

Vegas would be cool. I'm into the "any other thing you can think of" part, lol.

I think the important considerations should be:

1. A place where you you get the best turnout of Seggers.

2. A place that could get the most positive press coverage.

The American Film Market (among many others) have their convention in Santa Monica every single year, even though most of the convetioneers come from all over the country. You don't have to have a different city every year for the sake of having a different city every year. This isn't the Olympics.

Santa Monica has a 22 mile long bike path on the sand next to the Pacific Ocean. I glide on it every day. The temperature is 68°F -72°F 365 days a year, and it's sunny an average of 325 days a year. It's a fun resort town, and borders Los Angeles. Getting positive press coverage would be a snap here. I almost guaruntee you would be on KTLA or KNBC morning news with a 60+ Seg morning glide, which might get picked up by national TV. You would get tons of TV press AND even local celebrities if you brought 150+ Segways here. This is where they live. They don't live in Long Beach. Not knocking Long Beach, but free positive press would be great for Segway.

Think about it.

Tim

http://image.hospitalityonline.com/e/2086/2086012.jpg
The Lowes Hotel at the beach in Santa Monica

[KSagal]

These are some good ideas...

In order to have a successful Segwayfest, you need a few things...

1. A place where seggers want to go
2. A person or preferably people who are willing to do the huge amount of work to make it work.
3. A city that wants it. (Las Vegas is not particularly seg friendly at the moment, but this fest could make it better, or worse)
4. Rental segs available. (Until the FAA thing and Lithiums are figured out, more and more people will not bring their own machines. If they cannot rent, they may not come)

Anyone who has an idea, including the above topics is invited to contact SEG America at either President@segamerica.org or Info@segamerica and offer it up. All will be considered...

On the topic of moving it or keeping the fest in the same place, the SA club is made up of people from all over. One region does not dominate the club, so one region cannot always host the fest and expect people from other areas to alway come in... We move the fest to try to accomodate the most members. This is not carved in stone, but it seems fair. Any arguments to this logic will be entertained, but reasons would have to be strong...

[Desert_Seg]

Does this mean, a segway can be ridden in the streets?
and also in casinos (private property) so you have access into casinos, etc
but you are just NOT allowed on the sidewalks?

Jonathan

Jonathan,

The ordinance is pretty clear. Within the restricted area they cannot be ridden on either streets or sidewalks. Note that they call the streets within the restricted areas "highways".

My reading leads me to determine that outside the restricted area it is fine on the streets.

Private property is up to the owner.

Steven

[griefer]

Jonathan,

The ordinance is pretty clear. Within the restricted area they cannot be ridden on either streets or sidewalks. Note that they call the streets within the restricted areas "highways".

My reading leads me to determine that outside the restricted area it is fine on the streets.

Private property is up to the owner.

Steven

That's the way I read it.

BTW, there's a new hotel south of the Strip that was called South Coast until a week ago, now SouthPoint. It has lots of room and an event center that is designed for horse shows and rodeos. I bet it would be great for a SegFest.

There is a dealer with rental units at the North end of the Strip (aka Restricted Area) but I don't know anything about it.

Al