Urban gliding

[polo_pro]

Not having spent much time gliding in an urban setting, I have to ask how much you concern yourself with safety/security? I've read many threads about "close calls", but I haven't seen many where a person was targeted.

Or in other words, do any of you glide through the "bad part of town" and have suggestions?

[SEGsby]

I live in a bad part of town. Lots of people, lots of intollerance to new things, a constantly shifting population of people who come from everywhere and don't need to be responsible for their actions when they visit.

I can only suggest what I've suggested before, and was mocked for-- a stungun or mace can help when words and polite actions don't.

Good luck,

SEGsby

Not having spent much time gliding in an urban setting, I have to ask how much you concern yourself with safety/security? I've read many threads about "close calls", but I haven't seen many where a person was targeted.

Or in other words, do any of you glide through the "bad part of town" and have suggestions?

[Sal]

I have rarely ever glided in a suburban setting. Its always been buildings, sidewalks, people, obstacles, etc.

As for socioeconomic status of the neighborhoods: they ran the spectrum of high to moderately low (I have never glided in poverty-stricken neighborhoods)....

I have never carried mace. But I am contemplating carrying it more so now, because I have had my share of run-ins with unruly folks....

The suggestion I can give for anyone who glides through any neighborhood is to smile and be friendly and polite. That sounds so cheesy, but being informative when asked something is the best thing one can do in any setting.

Of course, within reason, one should judge if one NEEDs to put the head down and power through a bad block or two... and in that instance, gliding on the street (over to the side) can avoid a great deal of problems. "hoodlums" seem to not want to chase someone if they're on the street, rather than on the sidewalks.

-Sal

[KSagal]

I know I live in the north east, and have glidden over much of Boston, and most of my gliding is suburban...

I also have found myself in some less than desireable parts of some cities as well...

I recall a particular glide in Durham, NC. I was alone, gliding thru a series of neighborhoods with various sorts working the corners... I did not purchase anything, but I suspect that just about any substance known to man was for sale, and there were several folks for rent, if you know what I mean...

I did not have any problems. I also did not make it a point to put myself in a situation to be cormpromised. I was cordial and friendly, and I am sure that I was the first to be encountered by many of these folks on a segway, and they said as much...

Although I did speak in a friendly manner to many people, and there were even two opposing rallies of sorts occuring on corner lots two blocks away from eachother, in sight of each other, with bull horns and fairly agitated groups (mobs?), I also allowed people to know that I was a person on my way to someplace, and others imposing themselves on my plans was not an option.

I do not see this as much different as when driving or biking or any other 'thru' activity in these neighborhoods. I have found that no one likes to feel threatened, everyone likes to be shown curtesy, and most everyone respects independent strength. Those who are looking for an easy victim do not find one in me, and that is sufficient most of the time.

Since I do not hang out in neighborhoods like this, and do not feel it is wize for me to do so, and have the ability to live my life and provide for my family in the less aggressive suburbs, I will not speak of these adventures as anything other than that. These are trips into a different world than I am used to. I can deal with it, but feel that it is not prudent to expose yourself to dangers if you do not need to. Flirting with danger is just foolish. Dealing with it because of work or commute is different.

It is also important to differenciate between urban and dangerous neighborhoods. Most cities as well as other places have good mixed in with the bad. I remember an old saying about NYC. It was said that many of the nicer neighborhoods are not on differnent blocks than the not-so-nice neighborhoods, they are above them.

I think we should all push the envelope when we can, but also keep aware of our limitations.

[MtAdamsPT]

I think Karl had the best advice:

I also allowed people to know that I was a person on my way to someplace, and others imposing themselves on my plans was not an option.

I commute into downtown Cincinnati - been working lots of hours lately so I usually roll in around 5:30 am and out around 7:30 pm. Cincy is pretty sketchy when the sun is down.

Anyway, it's important to give the appearance you are focused and on your way somewhere. It's also important to recognize you have an advantage and not to lose it . . . not a good idea to stop and get off or even slow down if you can help it.

[cmonkey]

I've found myself gliding thru some definitely depressed areas... Like Skid Row in Los Angeles. The biggest problem for me was getting around people sleeping on the sidewalk. For most of the folks, well, they're not the type to be watching Good Morning America or the Discovery channel, so when I go by, I feel like the proverbial pink elephant (The ones that do see pink elephants are the ones sleeping on the sidwalks). My segway is the first they've ever seen, and most just stop and stare. Only a few have the presence of mind to make any comments.

One guy asked me how much it costs, and me not wanting to come off as 'hey look at me I'm gliding on 4000dollars", my snappy response is 'Two mountain bikes and a girlfriend'... before they have time to say anything else, I'm gone.

[KSagal]

I've found myself gliding thru some definitely depressed areas... Like Skid Row in Los Angeles. The biggest problem for me was getting around people sleeping on the sidewalk. For most of the folks, well, they're not the type to be watching Good Morning America or the Discovery channel, so when I go by, I feel like the proverbial pink elephant (The ones that do see pink elephants are the ones sleeping on the sidwalks). My segway is the first they've ever seen, and most just stop and stare. Only a few have the presence of mind to make any comments.

One guy asked me how much it costs, and me not wanting to come off as 'hey look at me I'm gliding on 4000dollars", my snappy response is 'Two mountain bikes and a girlfriend'... before they have time to say anything else, I'm gone.


Perhaps this would be a good place for that snowplow...

[polo_pro]

Thanks all for your comments on this matter. I'm not sure what neighborhoods I'll be finding myself in, but I do feel a bit better prepared for whatever I might encounter.

You'll be amused to know that my very first impulse upon arriving in town was "ride the segway". The sun was going down, I had to get a few things at the store and it'd be about half a mile ride. But I fought the urge and walked it knowing that I should first gauge the neighborhood before unleashing Silver upon them.

Any guesses what my thoughts were as I soaked in all the new sights and sounds...."yup, walking is overrated"!

[JohnM]

Any guesses what my thoughts were as I soaked in all the new sights and sounds...."yup, walking is overrated"!

You should pass your observations on to the AMA, which has the misguided idea that walking reduces the likelihood of developing coronary heart disease, reduces anxiety and tension, aids in weight loss, improves cholesterol profile, helps control hypertension, slows the process of osteoporosis and reduces the risk of dementia. Silly doctors.

[polo_pro]

Given that I've been moving for the last few weeks, I'm sure the AMA would be quite happy with my activity level and "approved" my desire to glide, eh?

Now whether they'd like me to walk from Las Vegas to Los Angeles next week, I can't say. 8^) 8^) 8^)

ps - What happened to the "cheeseburger" comments from before, John? 8^) 8^) 8^)

[JaredHT]

MtAdamsPT,

Hey! I've been wanting to chat with you. How's your commute going? Are you loving it? Drop me a line sometime :D

[SEGsby]

Duuuuude. You've got guts. I would *NEVER* glide thru Skid Row in LA...

SEGsby

I've found myself gliding thru some definitely depressed areas... Like Skid Row in Los Angeles. The biggest problem for me was getting around people sleeping on the sidewalk.

[JohnM]

ps - What happened to the "cheeseburger" comments from before, John? 8^) 8^) 8^)
http://images.cafepress.com/product/14192908_240x240_Front.jpg
plo,
I eat to ride and ride to eat. As long as my activity levels are high, the blood pressure and cholesterol stay low.
I have drastically cut my chocolate milk and cookie intake of late, but pizza and burgers remain staples of my diet. The first 200k brevet of the season is just a few weeks off and I need to drop a few pounds gained over the winter.

Good luck on the Vegas-L.A. adventure.

[drmarty]

Plo,

Remember - What is the best thing to take to a knife fight?

Your choice. I think a little bottle of pepper spray the size of a lipstick isn't the worst idea.

Just think - What would Iyore do without a daddy? It's only a machine.

Another piece of advice is a camera. A cheap digital or CVS even has one time use digital and movie cameras. The flash and the idea that they are on "film" might deter ner do wells.

Marty