A company that runs Segway rentals and tours in the North End has long been feuding with neighbors over where the two-wheeled vehicles can operate. But now, the business is in jeopardy of losing the prestigious Commercial Street location where it has been since 2011.
The city has deemed it illegal for the company, formerly called Boston Gliders, to operate at 420 Commercial St., a former gas station at a busy corner in the North End. The company, now called Boston By Segway, must find another home.
Comments
Danley is an obnoxious jerk. He has no respect for the residents of the North End. The city should shut him down today! His company poses a signifigant risk for pedestrians. Are they going to wait until someone gets killed before any action is taken?
Not sure if the City is being accomodating or inefficient, this sure seems to be dragging out. BbS can operate until the end of the year? Wow. Why not send in a couple of moving trucks, a few of Boston's Finest, load up those Segways and sell them on eBay? An easy, legal $200K for the City. Problem solved.
Clothesline Segway Riders!! That should get the message across.. GOD, I HATE those %$#@&*# things!!
I agree. The things are a hazard. Someone is going to get killed. Danley shows no respect. When the people around you feel strongly about something you comply. That's how you show respect. America is increasingly a nice, civilized country where people respect other people. Respect, R - E - S - P - E - C - T. Only obnoxious jerks don't show respect and comply with what others want. The place is a gas station. It is too dangerous to allow a Segway operation in an area just zoned for a gas station. It's only a matter of time. He'll be shut down. Affter that we can breathe a sigh of relief. Know that Boston is under control one again. Next, we can work on getting rid of bicycles, then cars. Someone is going to get killed. Actually, I think people already are getting killed.
O joy! I can look forward to another summer of these jackalopes running me off the sidewalk.
"no other tour operation has been subjected to as many restrictions."
It is likely that no other tour operation involves running Segways on SIDEWALKS. Sidewalks are for pedestrians, get it?
Didn't the guy who invented the Segway die on one of those over in the U.K.? Drove off a cliff or something like that?
No.
http://wheels.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/09/27/segway-owner-dies-in-segway-crash/
Owner of the company I guess...
around these parts Segway riders and skateboarders are evil nuisances, bike riders are revered and catered to. To me, they are all the same. They have their little hobby and they want everybody else to get out of their way.
Moreover, Segways are powered -- bad. You lose the "nuts and grains" halo. Skateboarding is -- correct me if I'm wrong -- mostly for fun. Boston is not about fun, not in its bones, not for hundreds of years, anyway. Bicyclists are exercising, person powering, not for fun.
...actually, bicyclists are mostly for commuting...
Boston is such a walking city. When I see tourists on one of those things I think "Why don't they just go for a walk." It's so much healthier and they can get to really see the city. Also, I do find them to be a nuisance because the people driving them probably have no experience riding them and accidents can and will happen.....to a hapless pedestrian, like me:-) Go for a walk!!!
Yes, exactly, like Paris! -- the most beautiful walking city in the world. Paris wouldn't let Segways besmirch the landscape.
Hmmmm, or would they...
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Everything on wheels should be banned from the North End.
Strollers and baby carriages, also?
Big Wheels too? But the beauty of Boston is that it is so balanced. You frequently have Big Wheels (Politicians, and Mafia) in the North End, and you frequently have Big Wheels (Politicians, and Irish Mob) in Southie. See what I mean?
Besides, you ban wheels and you'll only be encouraging treads and horses. And who needs more tanks, when SWAT vehicles are enough, and more horses? We already have enough horses (asses anyway) on Beacon Hill. I say let the chips fall where they may, live and let live, and just watch were you step, like the good boy scout or girl scout or gay scout or lesbian scout or transvestite scout or transsexual scout (or asexual scout, they are so discriminated against you haven't even heard of them yet) that you are.
Now, lest anyone take offence, let me state right here right now: I am only partially serious.
The Segways are a menace to anyone in their path. They constantly violate the rules of where they can and cannot go. The lazy tourists who use this service would scream bloody murder if a bunch of Segways were running loose in their home neighborhood. They don't respect the citizens of Boston and neither does this company.
How about limiting Segways to the separate bike lanes that are on the roads?
They are already limited to roads; the problem is they flaunt that and use the sidewalks, forcing pedestrians out of the way with impugnity and ignoring the fines they have racked up.