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Rivian's TM-B electric bike

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188 points hasheddan | 1 comments | | HN request time: 0.199s | source
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ChuckMcM ◴[] No.45676493[source]
I tend to agree with comments that point out that 'modern' e-bikes are really electric motor cycles or the original "MoPed" from the 60's. And they have the same appeal, relatively cheap to operate, fit in between regulatory categories, don't require a garage to store, Etc. E-scooters aren't much better (just worse kinematics). That said, I never thought the Segway was ever going to be more than a 'niche' product whereas I had already lived in a city[1] with thousands of mopeds. To the extent they are embraced by urban planners with reduced parking mandates and their own roadways I think they are a net win for cities, when they terrorize pedestrians on sidewalks, not so much.

[1] Brussels.

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F7F7F7 ◴[] No.45676729[source]
Adjusted for inflation the Segway would be close to $10,000 today after taxes.

That price tag and the way overhyped lead up to it's unveiling combined to kill any chance the Segway had. Dean's (RIP, I think) vision might have had a chance if it wasn't the same price as a lightly used new-to-me Kia Sephia.

At even half the $5000+ price it would have found a lot more adoption. Tourism companies still use the shit out of them and once they start dumping them, I bet they'll be the cool thing to have.

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onionisafruit ◴[] No.45676868[source]
Dean Kamen is still kicking
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1. guitarsteve ◴[] No.45677166[source]
Probably thinking of Jimi Heselden who bought the Segway company and died driving a Segway

Source https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jimi_Heselden