TUES 4 MAY 2004
Police scoot around town on Segway in trial run
By Cady AllredArgonaut Staff
People around town and on campus do a double take when they see one of the strangest sights in this rural locale: a police officer riding a Segway.
The Segway Human Transporter is a high-tech, two-wheeled scooter that employs a series of gyroscopes to sense the rider’s movement and guide the vehicle.
KIANNA HAIL / ARGONAUT / Officer Art Lindquist demonstrates a Segway on Friday at the Moscow Police Department campus substation.
The Moscow Police Department borrowed its Segway on a six-month loan from the Department of Justice to evaluate its use as a police vehicle, said Lee Newbill, campus police officer and the primary Segway driver.
“We have it on a trial basis to see if we like it, whether we have a use for it or whether it’s just a glorified toy,” he said. “I have been appointed the primary operator (of the Segway) for experimental purposes.”
Newbill said the Segway is a fairly common mode of police transportation in larger cities, where the vehicle can navigate the crowded sidewalks of downtown areas or the hallways of airports. Anywhere a patrol car does not fit is a good place for a Segway.
The MPD uses its Segway primarily for campus patrol.
“It’s great for routine patrol,” Newbill said, “but it’s not real good on the speed department.”
Newbill has stopped people driving in the limited access area of campus, but he said the Segway is too slow to chase someone down and pull them over.
“A bicycle can outrun it,” he said.
The Segway’s speed is controlled by a series of keys, each allowing a different top speed. The maximum speed is about 22 mph, but it generally runs between 10 and 20 mph.
One thing for which the Segway is not made is extreme Segwaying.
“I think everybody who’s ridden it for a couple hours has tried something silly on it,” Newbill said. “It doesn’t do well at that.”
The Segway also does not drive well on gravel or potholes, which recently led to a near crash for Newbill. While on campus the Segway did a little pirouette after hitting a pothole. Fortunately, he did not fall and no one saw the near-spill.
However, the first time Newbill crashed, several people saw him land on his rear in front of the Moscow Food Co-op.
“They don’t do high-speed turns real well,” he said.
Newbill said the jury is still out on whether the MPD will recommend the purchase of more Segways.
“We still have to figure out, is it worth $4,500 for a Segway? Is it an appropriate addition to our bikes?” he asked.
Newbill said the Segway has both advantages and disadvantages. The main advantage, and his favorite thing about riding the Segway, is the interaction it creates with the public, he said.
“Professionally, it is a great tool for public interaction ... it is so unique that everybody has to make a comment about it or come and talk to you about it, as opposed to a police officer in a cruiser,” he said. “Nobody wants to talk to an officer in a cruiser, but everybody wants to talk to the officer on the Segway.”
However, Newbill said it takes significantly longer to respond to an emergency call on a Segway than in a cruiser.
“One of the big drawbacks is its speed,” he said.
Newbill also said that while the Segway is great to ride on UI’s wide sidewalks, some of the older, narrower sidewalks can be tricky to navigate. In addition, he said, “It sucks when it rains, pretty much.”
TODAY
Performance: “The Rise and Rise of Daniel Rocket”Kiva Theatre
7:30 p.m.
Jazz Band and Choir
School of Music Recital Hall
7:30 p.m.
SATURDAY
Performance: “The Rise and Rise of Daniel Rocket”Kiva Theatre
2 p.m.
Ê UI Boise Commencement
Boise Centre on the Grove
3 p.m.
UI Argonaut, 301 Student Union, Moscow, ID 83844
Argonaut: 208.885.7845 Advertising: 208.885.5780