[isaacn]

From the last paragraph in the article "But perhaps the most striking element of the tower makeover is how it fits into a bigger story: the ongoing campaign to reclaim Paris from private motor vehicles" for some reason this randomly reminded me of a quote from Steve Jobs about the Segway when it launched predicting they would 'build cities around it' (ref: http://www.cnn.com/2001/TECH/ptech/12/03/scooter.unveiling/T... ) Large cities starting to ban cars in the city center might finally be that opportunity for Segway like devices to really flourish (not to mention powered and unpowered scooters, bicycles, skateboards, etc).

[hn_throwaway_99]

The Segway was the Apple Newton of it's time - the right idea but too early for all the pieces to be in place. I feel that all the dockless scooters and bikes that are becoming so popular (despite their controversy) have a good chance of remaking a lot of cities.

[masklinn]

> The Segway was the Apple Newton of it's time - the right idea but too early for all the pieces to be in place.

Not that great an idea though, because of its width low on the ground it's quite hostile to sharing space with others, much more so than a bike or a scooter.

[baud147258]

Powered scooters had just been banned, so I don't think it's in the current plans of the city.

[seszett]

What was banned is using them on sidewalks and leaving them in non-designated spaces. Using an electric scooter on a biking lane is completely fine, and you can also operate a scooter-sharing company if you can agree with the city on designated spaces (that are being built now).