Don't go to the Library on Segway...

[Scotty]

I rode my Segway to the library to get the "Code Name Ginger" book. I rode into the library past the book detectors at the door. The Segway started rattling, red screen flashing just the same way it does if you try to turn it on with the power still plugged in. Has anyone else had a similar problem. Will similar detectors at Kmart, etc cause the same problem?

[q]

i wonder if it'd do
the same thing in
"power assist" mode.


kthxbye.

q.

http://www.pcisys.net/~qwhew/segway/jpg_segway_sfest_08312003_sunday_3c.jpg

//

[q]

i've heard of a glider
going past the "detect-
or" at "borders" (books)
without incident. (may-
be the "detector" was
just "cosmetic." i don't
recommmend testing it
"otherwise," though.)

if a library can shake-
down a seg, what "chance"
does one have with, say,
a "pacemaker"?

kthxbye.

q.

http://www.pcisys.net/~qwhew/segway/jpg_segway_sfest_08312003_sunday_3a.jpg

//

[Sal]

I asked before I tried going into the local library.. The dir. said I could't and I understood. The aisles were too narrow.

-Sal

[JohnHHarrington]

If the aisles are too narrow for a Segway, they are too narrow for a wheelchair, and, unless it's a historic building that does not need to comply with ADA rules, then it is in violation of them.

Happy gliding -- John

[Race3]

I highly doubt the detectors affected the segway. I ride past these types of detectors all the time and have never had that problem. It might have been some strange coincidence. I would suggest you try it again.

[ElectraGlide]

I guess theres at least two places I wouldnt ride a Segway...or even ask permission.....one is the library, and the other is a church. Too distracting in those environments where others deserve quite thought and meditation.

Steve

[segwayowner]

i have rode the seg TO the library but not inside it. i locked it up outside.

DES: Segway owner

[Sal]

I shared the same sentiments about the library being one of the few places where I shouldn't ride it in, so I asked. I think the Segway is quiet, unobtrusive and stable enough NOT to be a distraction save for the fact that it is a Segway. If the facility permits, I don't see a problem with riding a Segway into a Library. Personal opinion. Of course, I would ask first.

-Sal

[solarseg]

Riding a seg in a library, unless your need it as a disabled person helper, seems pretty silly. Park it like the rest of the public with the other bikes.



SUV poster strikes again

[Sal]

I didn't mean to sound silly, but if the Segway is to be a part of the general soceity, we must be prepared to use it in a myriad of places, correct? I can see not riding it into Church. But why the hesitation of riding it in a library? The Segway is quiet, unobtrusive, it was designed in those terms, to be ridden ANYWHERE where you would walk.

I would not be offended by anyone who took it into a library. The Segway is NOT a bicycle, if it were allowed, it makes perfect sense NOT to lock it up with the bikes and take it into the library.

It seems odd to me that members of our Segway community who promote wide acceptance of this great mobility device, use it in Banks, office buildings, supermarkets, etc... find it difficult or in better terms inappropriate to ride it into a library. I also see nothing wrong to ride it into a hospital, park it outside of a patient room, and walk in to visit your loved ones. Are there any other places where we feel it is inappropriate to glide?

-Sal

P.S. I do understand that in order for the acceptance of the Segway to gain further momentum, requires us to use our gliders judiciously and conservatively. Don't you think that a few years from now, when Segways DO become a normal part of every day living (okay, maybe a lot more than just a few years) there will be nothing wrong with gliding into a library, Church, Temple, hospital, etc. It is walking, only better!

[q]

quote:Originally posted by salkulkarni



__snip__

-Sal

P.S

__snip__

Don't you think that a few years from now, when Segways DO become a normal part of every day living (okay, maybe a lot more than just a few years) there will be nothing wrong with gliding into a library, Church, Temple, hospital, etc.

__snip__



yeah, but by then, we'll all
be on the "invisible" "p"
series (if it becomes "of-
ficial"), so the issue will
then become moot.

kthxbye.

q.

http://www.pcisys.net/~qwhew/segway/jpg_segway_sfest_08312003_sunday_3g.jpg

//

[Peter iNova]

Librarians, and store owners for that matter, may not have any experience with the HT and won't naturally equate it with a wheelchair, feet or indoor activities. Asking first helps. Assuring them that the wheels are erasers more than markers will help. Giving the grand fromage* a demo will help. Until these become ubiquitous and policies evolve, the best thing we can do is ask, explain and demo.

-iNova

* big cheese

http://www.glidewalk.com

[Sal]

I totally agree with all the above points. I was merely trying to foster discussion. But I truly believe that sometimes we all should take chances and see "how far we can get" before someone says something. I don't mean anything dangerous, use common sense, and go for it. All they can tell you is no, and park it outside.

-Sal

[jrmiller]

Greetings to all, When I had my 1 hour indoctrination to the HT, one of the places I was warned about was the Public Library systems. It seems that the frequency of the security stantions is the same or close to something that runs the HT. I was told to shut it down and push it through and then restart it. I have been through many different stores, malls ,grocery stores etc. and never have had a problem. I was told that if it does occur, just shut it down and give a few minutes to "clear its head" ....not now I have a headache ????? Apparently this is a know to the Comp situation and you should have been informed. Seeg-on Seg-right :>) JR

[pam]

quote:Originally posted by salkulkarni

I totally agree with all the above points. I was merely trying to foster discussion. But I truly believe that sometimes we all should take chances and see "how far we can get" before someone says something. I don't mean anything dangerous, use common sense, and go for it. All they can tell you is no, and park it outside.

-Sal


This discussion has been had numerous times on the forums (not to stop it from being had again.... ) but ultimtely you can do more damage to general acceptance by "seeing how far we can get" than you can by asking permission an accepting that response for now, and trying to educate. A lot of these issues will likely go away when people become more aware of the HT and what it can and cannot do.

Part of it is the emotional investment in the response of the employees. Usually if you "see how far you can get" without checking, the people who say no are pretty threatened, and thus annoyed with you - and once they get annoyed, they are going to stand behind their "reasoning" - whether valid or not. They've staked out a territory and will defend it.

I ride my HT into the entryway to the library, and then I park it. I don't need it to lift books off the shelves. Using it inside would be an indulgence - showing off, not a necessity. And showing off can make people annoyed, too. But my library is not huge, and my HT is safe parked right inside the door. I can't judge your decision based on my circumstances.

Pam

[segwayowner]

i have two conflicting views. i think that we shouldnt be riding insode anybuilding in order for us not to look snobbish and like we depend on it. Also, with the small isles, it would be very unfortunate if someone knocked a bookcase down. the angel on my other sholder says that librars are big places and it would make a lot easier.

DES: Segway owner

[Race3]

Not trying to bring up an old subject, but I want to apologize to the original poster. Since I have gone past theft detection machines many times without it affecting the segway in anyway... i figured your experience was unrelated. however, I have had a similar occurrence at my local library as well. The Segway started shaking when between the book detectors at the doorway. No shutdown, no problems... just noticable. Anyhow, found it interesting that it was from the library... as you experienced similarly.

for the record, i usually glide through the doorway and then power assist... so lets not get into the whole indoor use debate again. :)

[terryp]

I talked with another local owner recently who took his through the library detector, and said it shut down instantly. Once through, it started up with no problem. I hope that police radar guns aren't near the same frequency...

Practicing Safe Segs in Seattle

[Mr_Laurenzano]

Rode it two libraries, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo california, and Arroyo Grande California, rode it at Kmart, and through a mall in Santa Maria. Never had a problem, Except for that rasclly RC car. Oh ya I was riding to a church for a wedding and belive it or not some guy in need of God followed me. Hummm :)

peace is a oneway street, with no crossroads and no deadends

[marshai]

Just discovered this topic--although I had independently discovered the problem last April. Our college library's theft sensors do shut down my Segway--stopped my HT in its tracks and sent it into a stick-shake safety shutdown. Once I wheeled it through and a distance away from the sensors, I was able to start it again. My librarians have offered to let me go around the sensors but I find my Segway complains even when it goes around them--so when i visit the library, I shut my HT off just inside the entry doors, wheel it through the sensor gate, and then re-start it. I have a disability and use my HT to get around the library (long carpeted distances that would trip me up and tire me out otherwise)--the added height is a big help for getting books and journals off of the top shelves. I don't think any other library patrons are bothered by my presence because my in-library use is so limited--once I've found the materials I need I either check them out and leave, or I park my HT and plunk myself into a comfortable Aeron chair (is that the right brand name?) to read.
I haven't had a problem with security devices in mall stores (only problem I've had with mall stores was riding it into Best Buy and having to spend the next hour explaining how it worked to every salesperson there!).
--Marsha

[Mr_Laurenzano]

The detectorsa are turned up much higher than the store detectors


peace is a oneway street, with no crossroads and no deadends

[jrmiller]

Greetings to all, once again , I was told in my 1 hour indoctrination period with the initial purchase that the only place that would possible give me problems was a public library security posts at the doorways. It seems that their frequency is close to a harmonic balance with the frquency of the HT's and it tends to give them a brief headache. To get inside, shut the HT down, push it past the post, and then restart it. Should be no problems. I havae not had a problem with any other security post in any otheer store or business that I have entered. JUST THE LIBRARIES. SEG-ON SEG-RIGHT JR :>)

[BenBethel]

Strange - happened to me tonight while at the Library - not at their entrance but only at their exit. I've ridden in this library about a dozen times before with no issue, but this time it also appears that the entire checkout process has been modernized and there are no longer humans anywhere when you check out books... perhaps they cranked up their security system as well... very odd!

www.benbethel.com

[smoother]

I agree with Pam. I believe that we should not push boundries. We will lose every time. It just takes one person to be anoyed at us and phttt, there go any chances of acceptance around there. The last thing we need is a stigma because of some pushy HT riders. I can't count the number of times something I enjoy has been shut down because "someone complained".

Respect other people's property, and respect their right to control activities on their property. Not one of us would let someone on a Q ride around in our living room (unless we knew them and they were there to demo how bad the q is). Just because we love HT's doesn't mean everyone else does. It might as well be a Q for all they care.

Then there is a matter of floor care. Commercial carpet is many times more expensive than residential. It has to pass actual engineering tests that res. does not. Hard surfaces need special care. No property manager wants to see voluntary wheeled objects running around on their expensive to maintain floors. Why do you think most office chairs are placed on carpet protector pads? Because w/o them the manufacturers warrenty is void. Rolling around on direct glue down carpet (std. commercial installation) causes the carpet to delaminate. And when you lay it in 50' x 12' rolls, 20,000' to 30,000' at a time and then put down thousands of pounds of equipment all over it, it becomes very difficult to replace delaminated carpet. And I havent even talked about stains], or liability issues.

The bottom line is don't do it, its rude. Unless you have to (disabled, etc and plz display you disability hang tag so EVERYONE understands why you have a right to be there, and doesn't assume that you are just another rich Segway owner showing off).

Just my 4c worth.

John Out.
"Live to glide, glide to live"