"More than 49,000 pedalcyclists have died in traffic crashes in the United States since 1932 — the first year in which estimates of pedalcyclist fatalities were recorded. In 2005, 784 pedalcyclists were killed and an additional 45,000 were injured in traffic crashes." http://www-nrd.nhtsa.dot.gov/Pubs/810617.pdf
That's a huge number. By one source cyclists are 10x more likely to die per each mile traveled than motorists.
Should bike makers be "rightly" sued out of existence? Should we ban bikes completely?
What a ridiculous comparison. As anyone who has skateboarded ever in their life knows, a bicycle is a thousand times safer and easier to control. Why don't you address the parent's points - that it is impossible to provide safe and effective braking on a skateboard.
It's impossible to prove, but replace bicycles with skateboards and the fatality rate would shoot up.
This product is unlikely to ever replace bicycles. It will always require significantly more skill and practice to ride a skateboard - powered or not.
However, that's an unnecessary measure of success. The board just has to find a big enough customer base to be profitable. There's room in the world for many different kinds of transportation.
As for legality - certainly there are concerns, but unlike the segway, this board is subtle enough to fly under the radar for a while.
That's a huge number. By one source cyclists are 10x more likely to die per each mile traveled than motorists.
Should bike makers be "rightly" sued out of existence? Should we ban bikes completely?