I rode an e-unicycle (EUC) for a few years as my main mode of transport. It was super fun, and after my first year I was really quite good at it, good enough to even dodge a few cars on instinct: my response was entirely unplanned, a reflex—a sharp turn, rather than an attempt to slow down, that I was shocked my body performed in retrospect. (Turns rely on center-of-mass and rubber friction, rather than motor acceleration or deceleration, which are limited.)

I loved riding that thing, it felt like flying. It was addictive. I rode it like wings, my instincts were so good it felt like I was one with it—it no longer required any intentional planning. Sure, I had my share of spills, but learned from each one where I'd messed up and how to become exceptionally careful, and was fortunate that I recovered from each in a few days.

I say all this because, like you, I now realize it was the single most life-threatening risk I've ever taken in my life. These things you write are 100% true:

> All it takes is one missed sign, one pothole, one inattentive driver, one loose bushing, one nail on the road, one patch of oil. You get the idea. The number and variety of risks and significance of the damage they could do should be enough to avoid.

> All it takes is one "oh shit" moment where you miss the transfer of center of mass. You face plant and possibly slide directly under the path of the hazard you braked for.

You are extremely exposed, and trusting your life to firmware developers.

99.99% of the time it is the unbelievable feeling of flying, slicing through the wind.

0.01% of the time it is slamming your body into rough pavement at 20mph, like diving face-first off a two-story building, no warning. No way to see it coming.

My EUC now sits in my shed, gathering dust.