Credit union to provide financing for Segways

CONCORD, N.H. (AP) — To make the $5,000 Segway Human Transporter more affordable, the makers of the high-tech scooter have teamed up with a credit union to offer financing for about $100 a month.

"It is to give people more options as to how to pay for a Segway HT," said Carla Vallone, spokeswoman for Segway LLC, based in Manchester, N.H.

When Segways were unveiled in 2001, Kamen's supporters predicted millions would be sold, transforming urban transportation. But in September, when company issued a voluntary recall to fix a problem that caused riders to fall off when the batteries run low, it was disclosed that 6,000 Segways had been sold.

Diane Richard, vice president of consumer loans for Digital Federal Credit Union, said she knew of three loans so far for the self-balancing vehicles.

The credit union and Segway plan to publicize the offering through brochures in credit union branches in all 50 states and possibly as part of mail-order catalogs.