[Times photo: Stefanie Boyar]
Letter carriers Jicson J. Collazo, right, and Robert Rhodes ride their new transporters and are followed by Gary Bridge, Segway senior vice president of marketing, and Tampa postmaster Rich Rome during a press conference at Apex Park on Davis Islands in Tampa.

By DONG-PHUONG NGUYEN, Times Staff Writer
© St. Petersburg Times
published January 15, 2002

TAMPA -- With the theme music from Star Wars blasting in the air, helmeted letter carriers rolled into town on two wheels Monday, standing on human transporters that are supposed to revolutionize travel as we know it.

Motorists gawked through water-streaked windshields and residents peeked out from behind curtains as the riders mimicked a scene from the Jetsons, steering battery-operated transporters down residential streets.

Tampa's postal district, considered in letter carrying circles as the innovator of all new things postal, became the first office in the world Monday to test the scooterlike device. More than 90 years ago, the first flight to carry mail was between Tampa and St. Petersburg, post office officials said.

Although neither rain nor sleet nor snow will keep the post office from delivering the mail, the downpour the area took Monday forced organizers to cut the demonstration short and move the debut indoors.

There, their makers showed off the simple, yet futuristic machines that are expected to ease the aches and pains from the backs and knees of America's letter carriers, many of whom lug 35-pound satchels of mail daily. It is also touted as a way to cut back on traffic congestion and speed up delivery.

Officially named the Segway Human Transporter, but more widely known as "It," the self-balancing scooters are expected to be available to the public by the end of the year.

"It's a rainy day in Tampa," said Gary Bridge, Segway's marketing vice president, "but it's a sunny day for Segway and the United States Postal Service."

With 13,000 foot routes nationwide, it will be up to South Tampa's letter carriers to determine the benefits -- and drawbacks -- of the scooter.

Ten transporters will be used for five routes -- two on Davis Islands, one in Hyde Park and two from the Commerce Station, north of downtown.

The question postal officials hope to have answered is: "Does it fit the delivery environment here in Tampa?" said Tampa postmaster Rich Rome.

Three other cities -- Concord, N.H., near Segway's headquarters; Oklahoma City; and Memphis -- may follow Tampa's trial run, which ends Feb. 8, Segway representatives said.

The gray transporters cost about $3,000 and look more like sawed-off bikes on thick wheels. There are no brakes, gears or gas pedals, just a handle bar and a platform fitted with bins on either side to hold mail and pepper spray (to ward off dogs).

The invention, operated by gyroscopes and sensors, can move at several speeds -- 17 mph at the most -- depending on which key is used. Operators lean forward slightly to move forward; backward to reverse. The handle bars have mechanisms to turn left or right.

Segway employees likened the machine to humans, much like the way sensors of the inner ear send information to the brain.

The scooter, which holds 525 pounds, including the weight of the operator, shifts the user's center of gravity.

It glides down sidewalks silently, but its presence here made quite a splash Monday. Among the media outlets attending the Postal Service demonstration were news crews from Good Morning America and a New York-based writer for a German magazine.

The inventor, Dean Kamen, unveiled the high-tech scooter on Good Morning America last month.

Though touted as easy to use and fun to ride, it takes a little bit of practice. Rome, the postmaster, stumbled on his dismount Monday, narrowly avoiding a nasty spill.

Postal carriers, including Tampa's John Hromalik, were sent to New Hampshire for training. They practiced weaving through cones, hopping over curbs, going up ramps and treading through gravel.

Hromalik, a letter carrier for nearly 24 years, said that after a day on his 6-mile Davis Islands route, he often comes home with bone spurs and back and knee problems. He foresees those ailments disappearing with the transporter.

"It's very easy to operate," he said. "Now, I just have the rain to deal with."

Chris Pesa, another carrier, said riding the transporter was like floating in the air. Once he walks, his feet feel heavy.

"If I could get one of those, I'd take it today," he said. "I'm on the cutting edge."

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