Gingers hit the streets in Atlanta

A fleet of Gingers, or Segway Human Transporters to give them their official name, have been sold to three organisations in Atlanta.

The personal transporters, which look a bit like grass strimmers on wheels, will cost around $10,000 each. The devices will not be available to consumers for about 12 months and are expected to retail for around $4,000.

According to CNN, the spoilsports at the Georgia Legislature has passed laws limiting Segway speeds to seven mph on pavements and 15 mph on roads, where riders will also be required to wear a helmet.

However, in a rather damning indictment of the civic authority responsible for the maintenance of Atlanta sidewalks, CNN warns Segway riders that the city's walkways are often riddled with potholes which "sometimes go unfilled for several months".

The Atlanta Police Department is also putting six Gingers through a two-month test to determine how it can best use them.

Two possible uses include patrolling parks or airports.

Another is possibly chasing down miscreant pensioners riding around in little carts.