Slow News Week

[Lloyd Burns]

Found among my ISP's news items:





Paul Emond plans to travel from Ottawa to Toronto on a Segway Human Transporter, like this one.
[SEGWAY]


May 19, 2003

Entrepreneur takes show on the road


In an attempt to raise venture capital for his antispam software firm, Paul Emond will travel from his home in Ottawa, to the Canadian IT Financing Forum in Toronto by Segway Human Transporter. He's hoping publicity from the journey will help put him ahead of the 40 other companies looking for funding at the forum.

Emond will need to travel over 450 kms (without a windshield) in order to reach the forum in Toronto. Since the Segway's top speed is only 35 km/h, he expects the journey to take him four days. If he makes it, Emond will set a new world record for distance travelled on a Segway. He will be sporting a T-shirt that says, "Will give rides for venture capital funding." Let's hope he makes it and goes on to one day wipe out Internet spam.



Time now to segue to other Segway news, a different type of entrepreneur is hoping to earn a few bucks by renting out the transport device to the public. Larry Lambeth from Spokane, Washington is giving out test drives, or "pre-glides," for $5 a pop, and charges $20 for additional 30 minute increments. Although Lambeth doesn't have a deal with Dean Kamen, the scooter's inventor, that's not stopping others in Seattle and Vancouver from starting up their own Segway rental businesses. So, if you're looking for a way to make a few fast bucks this summer, a Segway rental business might be the way to do it. But don't forget, you heard it here first (and to give the Geek Report a cut.)