Personal transporter

A rider detector for detecting the presence of a rider standing on a base of a dynamically balanced transporter, the detector comprising:

• a. a mat covering the base of the transporter, the mat comprising:
• i. a mat edge attached to the base;
• ii. a mat wall having a bottom portion and a top portion, the bottom portion attached to the mat edge;
• iii. a mat cover having a top surface and a bottom surface, the mat cover attached to the mat wall and supported above the base;
• and
• b. a switch mounted on the base and positioned below the bottom surface of the mat cover, the switch changing from a first state to a second state when the mat cover is displaced into contact with the switch.

A method of using a transporter to carry a payload including a user, the method comprising:

• a. standing on a platform supporting the user, the platform mounted to a ground-contacting module, which propels the user in desired motion over an underlying surface;
• b. using a proximity sensor to determine the presence of the user on the device;
• and
• c. inhibiting operation of the ground-contacting module unless the proximity sensor has determined the presence of the user on the device.