The types of biking are very well rooted in modern first world societies, especially in the US. Granted, I work with bikes, so I’m biased, take that into consideration with what I say.
MOUNTAIN biking is for? Mountains. Rugged terrain. ROAD biking is? For roads. Shocker, I know.
“hybrids” are still relatively new to a lot of people, and unfortunately standardization isn’t everywhere, but in general most people understand it as “I can go off road but I can’t go on a mountain trail”
This self balancing stuff? Still VERY new to many many people.
I do agree that a recall was probably in their best interest, as lawsuits are inevitable. Yes, a safety feature SHOULD have made it very loud and clear that you are reaching the ABSOLUTE limit and to go faster means INJURY AT BEST. Make the physical limitation higher than the software limitations, and have the safety features have a failsafe so it doesn’t just cut you off, thus faceplanting you anyway.
It could have been avoided with more education on the fundamentals of the devices and how they function. It could have been avoided with different/better safety features.
One thing is for sure, it’s a lot easier for information to spread now, so if your product has a blind spot where “less education” could lead to deaths, you can be damn sure everyone will know about it, and it won’t be just an urban legend you heard from your father’s sisters’ former roommate.
Err on the side of caution, go with the extra safety features. There’s a reason chainsaw warnings say don’t start it while holding the blade.