Remember the Segway? Invented by New Hampshire egghead Dean Kamen, it was touted as the next big thing in clean, pollution-free, new-age transportation, and the two-wheeled personal transport device took North America by storm when it was introduced in 2001. As environmentally correct as a Green Party caucus, high-profile business types like Apple's Steve Jobs declared the Segway would be as ubiquitous as the personal computer.

It was unique, no question. Completely battery-powered and propelled by internal gyroscopes and a pair of sophisticated computers and electric motors, it could reach a top speed of about 20 kilometres per hour, and was controlled by leaning forward or backwards with a throttle control on the left side of the handlebars. Unlike most two-wheeled conveyances, the Segway had its wheels side by side, and you stood on the vehicle when you operated it. I rode one of the first models, and loved it.

However, it ran afoul of the law in Canada. In a nutshell, regulatory authorities didn't know what to do with the Segway. Too wide for sidewalks and too slow for roads and highways, it was thrown into the round file by Transport Canada and given the same sort of legal status as electric forklifts, battery-powered golf carts, and handicapped electric carts.

Not helping things was a massive recall by the company, in 2003. Apparently, when the batteries got low, the vehicle would lose its ability to stay balanced by itself and possibly lead to the rider falling off. Segway recalled every single one of its models–some 23,500 in total–and it looked like it was all over bar the crying.

However, in 2006, the company introduced its second-generation model. Gone was the low-battery power/balance issue, and the new versions, tagged as the i2 and x2, feature a pivoting centre-mounted control lever known as LeanSteer. This allows the rider to lean into the turns and apparently gives the new generation of Segways better stability and handling. The LeanSteer technology is ostensibly more intuitive than the old model, giving the rider a better sense of balance.

With a range of some 38 kilometres–depending on how it's ridden, the kind of terrain it traverses, and the weight of the rider and cargo–the new Segway weighs between 47 and 54 kilograms, and can reach a top speed of 20 kilometres per hour. It has lithium-ion batteries and you can preset your top speed via a wireless "InfoKey" programmer. On this type of vehicle, 20 klicks is absolutely flying. And if it's the x2 model, it can actually handle off-road conditions, which was an issue for the first version. The x2 model has bigger tires and a wider footprint, and it can be used for things like golfing and trail riding.

But the $64,000 question is where, exactly, can it be legally operated? Although its green credentials are unassailable, there have been cases in Canada of law-enforcement personnel apprehending unlicensed Segways, and in Niagara Falls, Ontario, in 2004, a Segway scofflaw was actually ticketed for not having proper lighting, insurance, and plates. He took his case to court–to make a point–and most of the charges against him were dismissed, but the 300 or so Segways in Canada are still in a kind of legal limbo.

However, that may be changing. Transport Canada did extensive testing of the Segway in 2005, and, among other things deduced that "apart from its nuisance value on sidewalks, its use on urban walkways should be allowed". The government agency apparently tested the new version over 9,000 kilometres, with 143 different operators. It also suggested that municipal authorities have the final say on the use of Segways, and that a public-awareness campaign about Segways and other "electronic personal assistive mobility devices" should be organized to allay any fears about their safety and practicality.

"The City of Vancouver wants to use them for bylaw enforcement, the bomb squad, and so on," says Larry Runnalls, manager of Segway of British Columbia, a rental and sales outlet in Langley. "But the B.C. Highways Department just won't recognize them, and they're the ones who have jurisdiction. They are classed as 'non-compliant' transportation and can't be used–legally–anywhere there are cars." That includes sidewalks, which are a "road allowance" and likewise controlled by the Highways Department.

"Sure, we're still selling them," continues Runnalls. "You can rent them in Toronto, Edmonton, and Montreal, and there's probably 20 or 30 of them in downtown Vancouver. People are using them all over the place, but technically they aren't legal.

"We have to somehow get Highways moving on this…but we have to do it without confronting them directly. Maybe I'll sue them for being a hindrance to business or something."

Runnalls also rents his Segways out at the University of B.C. in the summer. But if you can't wait that long, you can pick up a base Segway i2 for about $5,400. "There are also some deals to be had on accessories and so on," he adds.

For more info, phone 604-533-1414 or go to www.simplymoving.ca/ .