Advocates Fight Segway Ban at Fla. Parks

AP ^ | October 14, 2007

[Hornitos]

Advocates Fight Segway Ban at Fla. Parks
4 days ago

ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — Advocates for the disabled want two theme parks to lift a ban on Segways, saying the scooters give people who can't walk a degree of freedom not afforded by wheelchairs.

Some employees at Walt Disney World use Segways, but officials at that park and SeaWorld Orlando said the two-wheeled scooters could be dangerous if used by visitors.

"We're not turning people away," said Disney World spokeswoman Kim Prunty. "We're turning away a particular form of transportation."

Disability Rights Advocates for Technology, which raises money to donate Segways to disabled U.S. military veterans and pushes for their acceptance, is asking the parks to lift the ban.

Many people who use prosthetics, and people who can stand but can't easily walk — such as many people with multiple sclerosis — find Segways offer more mobility and dignity than wheelchairs, said group co-founder Jerry Kerr, 52. . . .

[Hornitos]

Here's a link to the Disability Rights Advocates for Technology as well as their www.segs4vets.org website: www.draft.org

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President George W. Bush talks with Segs4Vets recipients wounded veterans Sgt. Kortney Clemons (bio), left, of Little Rock, Miss., and Sgt. Ryan Groves (bio), of Kent, Ohio, who both use a Segway as a mobility device, on a visit to the Oval office Tuesday, Oct. 16, 2007, attending a meeting of the President's Commission on Care for America's Returning Wounded Warriors. (White House photo by Eric Draper)

[Bean Counter]

I attended an event this summer in the Park here in our downtown core, and the Police had an Officer on patol on a Segway. I kept an eye open and observed her moving through the crowds and I was pretty impressed at the degree of control there is for someone who knows how to operate one correctly. I think they are probably less of a hindrance to traffic flow than some of the motorized carts I’ve seen, because the maneuverability is way better and a Segway can move faster than the scooters can at top speed.

Not sure if they are worth the high price, but they do have applications, and can in fact get around pretty well in a crowded urban setting.

There is no reason I can see to ban these vehicles, especially if they can get a disabled Vet around efficiently.

Gets my vote...

[dynachrome]

As crowded as the theme parks are with kids, I dunno. Looks like lawsuit city to me. Guest runs over little Johnny, the parents will sue Disney, not the rider of the segway.

[sarasmom]

In a crowded pedestrian environment, those devices are more dangerous than strollers.
While I hesitate to say it...I was at Epcot Center last weekend, and had my toes run over several times by abnoxious parents pushing strollers, and my companion had her jacket torn by one of them.
There was a group of segway rollers who safely weaved in and out of crowds.
Because they were traveling as a pack, it was prudent for pedestrian safety to avoid them.
The crowds automatically parted for those who were riding wheelchairs.

Sorry,(sarcasm) but I do not think a Segway should ever be classed as alternative transportation for the physically disabled, anymore than a skateboard should be allowed on a crowded sidewalk.

[org.whodat]

Advocates for the disabled want two theme parks to lift a ban on Segways, saying the scooters give people who can't walk a degree of freedom not afforded by wheelchairs.

What BS, if you cannot stand up you cannot ride the damn thing. Anyone that uses disabled people like this are really making fun of people in wheel chairs.

[Hornitos]

Another article stated that 'Universal Orlando permits disabled riders on Segways on a case-by-case basis,' and shopping malls are opening their doors to their disabled customers who use this technology.

If these machines can afford our disabled vets a degree of freedom and dignity then these theme parks ought open their doors to them as well.

[A Strict Constructionist]

I know quite a few people with heart problems that can’t walk any distance unassisted but can stand quite easily.

[Hornitos]

What BS, if you cannot stand up you cannot ride the damn thing. Anyone that uses disabled people like this are really making fun of people in wheel chairs.

Actually, no, the Segway can been fitted with a seat, as you can see here:

http://www.draft.org/draft3/Galleries/SeatsattheSymposium/tabid/78/Default.aspx

The founder of Segs4Vets.org. Mr. Jerry Kerr, is seen in his wheelchair on the left, and I imagine he would probably just laugh at your wierd statement.

[org.whodat]

If these machines can afford our disabled vets a degree of freedom and dignity then these theme parks ought open their doors to them as well.

So you signed up Monday 10,15,2007, and you want to sell these things to vets. Are you a vet? Are are you just trying to ride the backs of veterans for your own purposes?

[Hornitos]

. . . you want to sell these things to vets.

Sorry if you are under the delusion that I am somehow making money on Segways being donated to disabled vets, as I make my money elsewhere. You apparently tried to smear the segs4vets.org non-profit organization, and I rightly called you on it. Then you crafted this gem:

Are are you just trying to ride the backs of veterans for your own purposes?

How does one counter such an, ahem, 'argument'? I could say "No I'm not." and then you could say "Yes you are." and then I could counter with "No I'm not." and then you could say "Yes you are." Maybe I just like the idea of our nations' heroes having the freedom of mobility again.

Why not be more spiritually productive with your time and energy and send a few dollars in to help our nations' heroes?

[sinanju]

Segways are still too rare to be a problem. I hear more about those towns that are all but taken over by the three-wheel scooters for the morbidly obese.

[Clemenza]

One of the great joys in life is throwing a banana peel right in front of a Segway...

[ChocChipCookie]

My husband and I took the Segway tour of EPCOT earlier this year. It started before the park opened and was the most memorable thing we did during our whole vacation. Maneuvering the Segway was easy. However, during the last 15-20 minutes of the tour, the park had filled up with people. Trying to avoid the other tourists was hard enough but even more difficult was that many of them didn’t even move out of our way. Some were completely oblivious, and since the Segways are so quiet, it’s very possible that someone could have gotten hurt. Our tour guides did a great job of trying to move people out of our way, but sometimes even that didn’t work. Disney World has had ample time to see how this mode of transportation works within their parks. As much as I loved the Segway, I think they’re right to keep them out.

[ChocChipCookie]

My husband and I took the Segway tour of EPCOT earlier this year. It started before the park opened and was the most memorable thing we did during our whole vacation. Maneuvering the Segway was easy. However, during the last 15-20 minutes of the tour, the park had filled up with people. Trying to avoid the other tourists was hard enough but even more difficult was that many of them didn’t even move out of our way. Some were completely oblivious, and since the Segways are so quiet, it’s very possible that someone could have gotten hurt. Our tour guides did a great job of trying to move people out of our way, but sometimes even that didn’t work. Disney World has had ample time to see how this mode of transportation works within their parks. As much as I loved the Segway, I think they’re right to keep them out.

[Caipirabob]

Wow, check out those rims...

"Pimp my Segway?" ; )

That being said, that looks kind of difficult to dismount. Perhaps the steering mechanism can be lowered or moved forward? That's kind of what it looks like.