Alternative Urban Mobilities
One of the most intriuing things I did in Vancouver was try out a motorized skateboard designed by BMW (also known as the BMW Streetcarver) at E-Bike in Vancouver. This is just one of a variety of experimental personal mobilities (PM) which we need to think about as part of urban futures - from sooped-up pogosticks to scooters to Toyotas I-Foot walker.
What fascinates me about the skateboards is that they are dissed by sk8ers - ‘not the real thing’ and ‘cheating’, ‘no exercise’ and ‘defeats the purpose’. But why not? (More, courtesy of Gizmag)
Is anyone doing any urban studies or social science research on this? Postdocs anyone?