Helmet Debate - This time on a segway?!

Hungrycol · 31-10-2012 5:54pm #1

Yep, Gardai wearing helmets on Segways.

Why oh why oh why :rolleyes:

longshanks · 31-10-2012 6:25pm

Setting a good example maybe?

petethedrummer · 31-10-2012 6:56pm

If only Jimi Heselden had been wearing one.

Jawgap · 31-10-2012 7:23pm

According to Segways Irish website the police version goes for €7,350 - how many bikes could the DCBA have bought for that without the Guards looking like d1ckheads!

Dermot Illogical · 31-10-2012 7:32pm

Jawgap wrote: »

According to Segways Irish website the police version goes for €7,350 - how many bikes could the DCBA have bought for that without the Guards looking like d1ckheads!

There would be no headlines in that.

sled driver · 31-10-2012 7:51pm

Well they're wearing the high viz jackets, they're riding on footpads.

Surely then, the helmets only complete the look !!

rp · 31-10-2012 8:00pm

You can image them drawing lots down at Pearse St. Garda station not to be assigned to one of those things:

(It's crying out for a McSavage voice over)

Jawgap · 31-10-2012 8:03pm

rp wrote: »

You can image them drawing lots down at Pearse St. Garda station not to be assigned to one of those things:
.......
(It's crying out for a McSavage voice over)

Only those given the 'special training' are allowed use them - the Guards who didn't p1$$ off the inspector get to go without the training and use cars and bikes!:D

MrScootch · 31-10-2012 8:38pm

Jawgap wrote: »

According to Segways Irish website the police version goes for €7,350 - how many bikes could the DCBA have bought for that without the Guards looking like d1ckheads!

I noticed one of the motorcycle cops at the marathon the other day was riding an '04 Honda.
2004!!!

I've heard they can't even get the knackered squad cars replaced.
WTF is going on around here!?

ThisRegard · 31-10-2012 9:35pm

sled driver wrote: »

Well they're wearing the high viz jackets, they're riding on footpads.

Surely then, the helmets only complete the look !!

Came up behind a cyclist yesterday evening with no lights but a high viz in Blanchardstown, it was a garda. Maybe someone stole his lights?

Limestone1 · 31-10-2012 9:36pm

Jawgap wrote: »

According to Segways Irish website the police version goes for €7,350 - how many bikes could the DCBA have bought for that without the Guards looking like d1ckheads!

Paid for by 'local business'.

Dermot Illogical · 31-10-2012 9:41pm

Limestone1 wrote: »

Paid for by 'local business'.

I wonder what DBCA stands for?

Jawgap · 31-10-2012 9:43pm

Limestone1 wrote: »

Paid for by 'local business'.

Could've paid for a lot more bikes than segways......

....anyway apparently the ERU got them aswell:D

Dermot Illogical · 31-10-2012 9:47pm

Jawgap wrote: »

Could've paid for a lot more bikes than segways......

....anyway apparently the ERU got them aswell:D

Are the baddies obliged to install the surface or is there a PreRU that has that job?

Lusk Doyle · 31-10-2012 9:51pm

What's wrong with running after a "perp"?

Dermot Illogical · 31-10-2012 9:54pm

Lusk Doyle wrote: »

What's wrong with running after a "perp"?

Messes up your hair.

ednwireland · 31-10-2012 10:37pm

Jawgap wrote: »

Could've paid for a lot more bikes than segways......

....anyway apparently the ERU got them aswell:D

they catch the baddies as they are rolling around on the floor laughing

tomasrojo · 01-11-2012 12:55am

I remember the guided tours in the Phoenix Park on Segways: all hi-viz and helmets. I presume that at this stage that any activity in English-speaking countries that involves motion and that isn't walking, running or travelling in a four-wheeled vehicle is going to be accompanied by a strong recommendation to make yourself very visible and wear head protection.

I can see why in bureaucratic terms this is an attractive default position, but it's absurd quite a lot of the time.

I also think Segways are somewhat absurd as well, unless you're constitutionally unsuited to mild exercise of any kind.

kincsem · 01-11-2012 1:27am

What is the Segway operator allowance?

smokiebeverage · 01-11-2012 3:08am

Dermot Illogical wrote: »

I wonder what DBCA stands for?

Dublin City Business Association (www.dcba.ie)

Victor · 01-11-2012 3:16am

Remember that they are mechanically propelled vehicles and need driver's licence, insurance and tax.

Run_to_da_hills · 01-11-2012 3:25am

Victor wrote: »

Remember that they are mechanically propelled vehicles and need driver's licence, insurance and tax.

Mobility scooters that the old folk use don't require any credentials.

I would classify Segways in that bracket.

Cookie_Monster · 01-11-2012 4:44am

MrScootch wrote: »

I noticed one of the motorcycle cops at the marathon the other day was riding an '04 Honda.
2004!!!

I've heard they can't even get the knackered squad cars replaced.
WTF is going on around here!?

170 new cars have just been bought

Cookie_Monster · 01-11-2012 4:45am

MrScootch wrote: »

I noticed one of the motorcycle cops at the marathon the other day was riding an '04 Honda.
2004!!!

I've heard they can't even get the knackered squad cars replaced.
WTF is going on around here!?

170 new cars have just been bought

check_six · 01-11-2012 1:13pm

I don't see what advantage a Segway has over a mobility scooter/wheelchair thing. What kind of speed can these things do? I can see how a squadcar can be useful for getting around, and using bikes in town seems like a great way of getting around quickly when you need to. Walking the beat keeps a visible Garda presence. The Garda horses are useful for crowd control and look impressive.

What gap do these Segway things fill? Are they there to help the Guards catch perps on other mobility scooters? I just don't get it. I'm worried the next thing will be some kind of Garda Facebook addon. "Garda O'Hoolihy has set your status to 'In Custody'".

Eamonnator · 01-11-2012 1:30pm

Why is this thread in the Cycling forum?

rp · 01-11-2012 1:49pm

check_six wrote: »

What gap do these Segway things fill? Are they there to help the Guards catch perps on other mobility scooters? I just don't get it.

According to the Segway website:

Innovative - The Segway Patroller allows officers to create innovative community policing programs and better connect with the residents they serve
Mobile - It instantly enhances mobility which enables officers to conserve energy and do more rounds in less time than walking the beat
Visible - It improves visibility. Officers can oversee a larger area and be seen, which implies a stronger police presence and helps to deter crime
Flexible – A Segway Patroller can be used both inside and outside. It allows officers to do everything from calmly manage crowds to quickly respond to emergency situations
Green – Segway Patrollers are a leading green transportation initiative, boast zero-emissions and take up less space than cruisers or motorcycles, all with an operational cost of less than a penny per mile

But it may be, that in the US at least, all those doughnuts haven taken their toll, and the police are no longer physically capable of patrolling on foot or bike.

Beasty · 01-11-2012 1:53pm

Eamonnator wrote: »

Why is this thread in the Cycling forum?

I think we should split the forum - The main one (410) can be for Segway helmet debates, and everything else can go in a sub-forum ...;)

buffalo · 01-11-2012 1:55pm

rp wrote: »

According to the Segway website

Is there any of those that don't apply to a bike?

Jawgap · 01-11-2012 4:15pm

Eamonnator wrote: »

Why is this thread in the Cycling forum?

According to the Paper of Record.....

"The gardaí who will be taking to the streets with the Segways are all trained pedal cyclists, who went through a two-day training programme for the new machines."

Two days of training for a segway?!?!?

Beasty · 01-11-2012 4:21pm

Jawgap wrote: »

Two days of training for a segway?!?!?

That's presumably on the basis they've already trained for a month on how to ride a bike;)

Rew · 01-11-2012 4:22pm

They worked out well in the airport, makes sense to have them in the city center

MrScootch · 01-11-2012 6:22pm

Run_to_da_hills wrote: »

Mobility scooters that the old folk use don't require any credentials.

I would classify Segways in that bracket.

I think there is a statute that specifically refers to a 'mechanically propelled bicycle', which is clearly what this is (two wheels, motor). So yeah, you can't use one of these on the footpath and you would need a license and insurance.
Sorry, it's the law, no exceptions!

Run_to_da_hills · 01-11-2012 6:30pm

MrScootch wrote: »

I think there is a statute that specifically refers to a 'mechanically propelled bicycle', which is clearly what this is (two wheels, motor). So yeah, you can't use one of these on the footpath and you would need a license and insurance.
Sorry, it's the law, no exceptions!

Most of the electric scooters on the road don't require screeds if they don't exceed a certain KW output.

I am not sure about these things, I would certainly not want to be on one of these things doing more than 15 mph if I hit a solid object on the ground or a pot hole.

MrScootch · 01-11-2012 6:37pm

Run_to_da_hills wrote: »

Most of the electric scooters on the road don't require screeds if they don't exceed a certain KW output.

I am not sure about these things, I would certainly not want to be on one of these things doing more than 15 mph if I hit a solid object on the ground or a pot hole.

http://www.garda.ie/Controller.aspx?Page=1728&Lang=1

le petit braquet · 01-11-2012 7:32pm

I wonder about their legal status too as much of our legislation "parallels" its UK counterpart. According to the Irish Times report on their introduction, they are only legal in the UK on private property where permission has been granted. It seems that EU regulations preclude their use on roads.

Step away from that Segway Guard!

aujopimur · 01-11-2012 7:54pm

I think the rule with regard to ins. etc. depends on whether it's propelled or assisted.

Helmet Debate - This time on a segway?!

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