helmet plea for segway riders

Jimi Heselden bought the Segway company less than a year ago after commissioning a financial analysis of its success in the US, where it was invented.

The scooter, invented by Dean Kamen, right, has been marketed as a “green commute” but buyers are warned to wear a helmet.

The battery-powered device, which costs about 5,000, is recharged by mains electricity and can travel 18 miles between charges. It has no brakes, gears or steering wheel, but can reach 12mph.

They are controlled by the rider leaning forwards or backwards and left and right.

Sensors detect when it tilts and motors keep it upright.