Segway
This letter, from the owner of Firefly Hollow, will explain how Segways are used for birding. For more information,
be sure to also check out the two web site mentioned in this letter. With this information, you can determine the
suitability of these vehicles for your own use.
The letter:
I have started this business. I just had Bill Thompson III and Andy Thompson of Bird Watcher’s Digest out for a
tour so you could ask them what they think. The Segways themselves are self balancing utilizing 5 gyroscopes to
keep them balanced. So the rider does not have to balance them. I have had a 65 year old woman who has
never ridden a bicycle get on and operate it on her own within minutes. I have also had two gentlemen with
partial paralysis (one from a stroke and he other from major head trauma from a childhood accident) get on and
ride them with ease. Many people actually purchase them as mobility devices due to disabilities. As a matter of
fact most states classify them as EPMAD’s (Electric Personal Mobility Assistive Devices). There is a website www.
segs4vets.org who donates them to injured vets. That site will provide you some good info on their use for people
with disabilities. I have had another gentleman with Parkinson’s like tremors ride one easily. If the person can
stand, and get on and off on their own they should be able to operate them with ease. They do have a weight
limitation for proper operation. The rider must be between 100 and 250 lbs. They don’t have a throttle or
conventional brakes. They have handlebars that are used to steer them. To make them go forward, stop and
back up you simply shift your weight.
They would be ideal for people with heart and respiratory problems, joint problems and for people with
conditions that leave them with very little energy. Also as I said before, people with partial paralysis and for
amputees with prosthetics. They can move at a pace that allows someone to walk alongside them comfortably.
And they can even stand in place for extended periods of time without a major effort. We can stop at any point
and get off to use the binoculars. There are spots along the trails that are planned for viewing areas.
I don’t know where you’re located but you’re welcome to come give ours a test ride. Or you can go to www.
segway.com and find a dealer in your area who I’m sure would be more than happy to offer you a test ride so
you can see what is so special about them. They are an amazing technology that is unlike anything else. That is
why it is so misunderstood. I didn’t realize how different they were until I tried one. As soon as I did I immediately
realized how ideal they would be for birding. Once I found that they had off road models I tried it on my trails and
bought two.
Keep an eye out for me at birding festivals. I may be making the rounds next year.
Lee