Segway came to EICMA this year with a surprisingly broad lineup of new electric motorcycles, ranging from high-performance concepts to off-road machines. But perhaps the most interesting of the bunch is also the one that looks the least like a conventional motorcycle or scooter.

Meet the Segway X Cruiser, an electric two-wheeler that takes motorcycle safety so seriously that it has a roll cage and seatbelts.

Or at least, those are among the configurations Segway is showing as it develops the new machine for production.

The X Cruiser is Segway’s attempt to bring more automotive-style protection to a single-track vehicle, essentially asking how much of a car’s safety envelope can be wrapped around a motorcycle without adding another pair of wheels.

Segway says the X Cruiser’s design was informed by automotive crash scenarios, with cage and semi-cage structures, four-direction collision protection, staged energy absorption, and seatbelt restraints intended to improve rider protection. It also gets active safety features including standard blind spot detection and lane change warning.

The company showed several ways that basic idea can be configured, ranging from a more conventional partially enclosed scooter-like setup to versions with significantly more structure surrounding the rider. One of the most striking configurations uses a heavily bolstered race-car-style seat and seatbelt along with protective framing around the rider, while another adds a roof for even more enclosure.

It’s a fascinating approach because motorcycles have traditionally relied largely on the rider wearing the protection. Helmets, jackets, gloves, boots and sometimes airbag vests form the safety system, while the motorcycle itself generally offers little physical protection during a crash.

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