Segways Roll Over Chicago

lpangelrob2 writes "It looks like someone in Chicago finally found a use for Dean Kamen's Segways. The Chicago Sun Times is reporting that a three hour tour of Chicago's lakefront will be guided by Segways traveling on Chicago's sidewalks at 5mph. The cost of the tour is $65, and an instructional class and helmet is provided -- just in case."

Comments

Been there, done that - Sarasota Florida

[tbase]

It was a few months ago we had a news story down here about a company giving Segway tours of Sarasota, with full support of City Hall.

Ive been doing this for 6 months.

[dallask]

Finally, I can promote my business and not be off topic...

We have been renting the Segway HT for 6 months now in the La Jolla / San Diego area... We also provide training and a helmet to all riders and to date have not had a single incident.

It is interesting though the reaction we get from the disabled community. While the majority of people who encounter the units see them as a marvel, the Disabled community is split in their view of the units.

Those with minor to severe mobility issues LOVE the units. They see them as a viable alternative to a wheelchair and a way to increase their mobility.

However, those who are confined to a chair, and those who are blind and deaf are strongly opposed to the units being on the sidewalks.

They are afraid that they will be hit by the units and see them as a danger, even though NOONE, in this area at least, has been hit by the units.

To further increase their safety, we also limit the units to 6 miles per hour.