October 06, 2009
“Riding” on the heels of its popular city tours, Segway of Richmond announced today its “Segway or the Highway” program, giving customers a chance to take the two-wheeled personal transporters onto one of the region’s many high-speed thoroughfares.
“We wanted to give people the chance to really open up these babies and push the Segway to its limits,” said Segway of Richmond owner Harold Corwin, noting the self-balancing electric vehicle’s top speed of 12.5 miles per hour feels “exhilarating” on a wide-open roadway beside semi-trucks and fast-moving cars.
Though getting the hang of steering a Segway takes a few minutes, Corwin said once riders feel comfortable using the ”Lean Steer” handlebar and leaning forward and backward to set speed, “they’ll do just fine” joining commuters along Interstates 95 and 64, the main high-traffic arteries through the Richmond metropolitan area. For an added fee, Corwin will take customers along the Powhite Parkway and Downtown Expressway toll roads.
Already, customers say they are excited for the Segway or the Highway tour.
“I have a motorcycle that I enjoy taking out for a Sunday cruise, but to have the ability to actually be on a highway while standing up and moving…sounds enticing,” said Brooke Ramos, who has taken the original Segway city tour but said it lacked the element of soul-crushing fear that she was looking for. “Plus, Segway makes you wear a helmet when you’re out there riding, so it’s actually much safer than it looks.”
The cost of the highway tour is $70 per person, Corwin said. For an additional $5, customers can waive the requirement to wear a helmet, and for another $20, Segway will throw in a case of crusing beers.
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Richmond Now Available In 3-D
Thought you knew the Richmond skyline? Take another look.
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I laughed out loud. Nice!