As a traveler, there are many ways to see a city, and nearly just as many guided tour options. Between walking tours, bus tours, bicycle tours, and countless other options, it’s hard to decide what to choose. There is one option that’s often overlooked, though: Segway tours.
What is the Segway?
Segways are the two-wheeled motorized vehicles often used by mall and college security guards to quickly navigate sidewalks. Segways are easily maneuverable and quick to turn, making them the perfect option for a guided tour.They can also reach speeds of up to 12.5 miles per hour, making them a great option for transportation within a limited area.
Although first introduced in 2001, the Segway did not gain popularity as a personal transport vehicle. Its innovative, upright technology was different from anything most people had seen before, a fact that made many new riders nervous about using it. However, the Segway stands on its own; gyroscopic sensors inside the machine activate servos to keep it upright at all times.
Segway Tours
Think of the last walking tour you went on; for example, around an area like Washington D.C. or New York City’s Brooklyn Arts district. These tours tend to cover as many as ten miles at a time. For older people or those who are movement impaired, this distance can be a problem. Maybe the weather isn’t perfect and it’s too hot out or that the guide is trying to get the group though the outdoor sections before a rainstorm arrives.
Now imagine that same tour using Segway. None of the quality would be lost; the tour guide would still be able to point tourists to all of the major landmarks, stopping and discussing them as the group came to them. However, instead of being exhausted by the end, all participants would end the tour refreshed and full of energy. The Segway eliminates the walking aspect of tours and adds another element of fun to them. As an added bonus, they’re eco friendly!
Green Benefits
The Segway produces no emissions. Because the vehicles are powered by electricity, they’re usable both indoors and out without the risk of using petroleum or another form of fuel to move around. Some studies have shown that theSegway is 11 times more efficient than the average American car. Some parks have even begun to employ the Segway within their woodlands as a way for visitors to see the area without resorting to carbon-based forms of transportation.
Where are Segway tours available?
Segway tours can be found in most major cities. Washington D.C., Atlanta, Chicago, Berlin, Munich, and dozens of other cities all offer Segway tour options. It’s all the fun of riding a scooter without the physical exertion required. And best of all, nearly anyone can do it; the Segway is adjustable to different height settings, enabling even the tallest or shortest individuals. A short orientation is given to visitors at the start of a tour to let them become accustomed to the Segway.
Safety Considerations
The Segway is built with numerous redundant systems installed which make it one of the safest vehicles around. If an error is detected in any of the systems, the machine gives a warning to the rider, often slowing down and shaking. The display on the handlebars will flash a warning message. In addition, Segway are designed to automatically orient themselves, meaning that a person with poor balance can still ride without fear. According to the famous Chicago Segway Tour Company, most first-timers do first get on the Segway with a little bit of nerves, but by the end most people want to go again!
The next time you visit a major city and feel like taking a tour, investigate the options for a Segway tour. Not only will it be a memory unlike any other, but it can be a whole lot of fun.
