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Segway

You don't have to pedal, just lean forward and go! It's the hottest set of wheels to hit the streets. But does the Segway work? News 8's Lyle Galdeira puts it to the test.

You've seen it on countless news reports. Now, the Segway human transporter is about to hit the streets of Honolulu but as always we want to know Does It work? so we're here in Waikiki with Jim Rautio of Segway of Honolulu to check it out.

Jim gives me a quick tutorial on how to use the Segway.

"Try to find your center of gravity and just relax. You look down at the machine and you'll never find it," says Jim.

Once you're balanced, making the Segway go is easy.

"You just say to yourself, I'm walking across the street," says Jim.

At first, you take things slow. But in no time I'm zipping around the streets of Waikiki like a pro. The Segway uses an assembly of gyroscopes and dynamic stabilization. It's all powered by a rechargeable electric battery. Top speed is about 15 miles an hour.

Before you know it people are stopping and trying to get their hands on the Segway.

They too get a crash course and in the process have lots of smiles.

"It's pretty cool. Just balance on top and it does the balancing for you so you go back and forth. It's pretty cool," says Bryce Higa of Kaimuki. 

So does it work?

"Yeah, it works," says Higa.

"This is awesome. I could do this. If I could do it anyone can do it too, I swear," says Claudia Bulriss of Buffalo.

The Segway will be available for supervised rentals starting this Friday, August 1st, in Waikiki at the corner of Beachwalk and Kalakaua. A new law allows the Segway to be used on sidewalks. One word of caution though. You've got to keep your eyes on where you're going.

If you have a product that you'd like Lyle to put to the test, send him an e-mail (lgaldeira@khnl.com)  with your suggestion.

Click here to watch Does It Work?