Segway

[artdutra04]

Downtown Atlanta is one of the most Segway friendly areas I've found. They have wide sidewalks, and the hotels don't seem to mind if you [responsibly] glide through the lobby to the elevator. And while I haven't used a Segway on MARTA, they allow bikes onboard so I'd assume they'd also allow Segways if you really need MARTA for some reason (like if you're staying at a hotel that isn't in the downtown area).

The only annoying part is getting from downtown level (everything in downtown Atlanta is actually like 50-100 feet above the real ground level) to the GWCC/Dome level. It takes a lot of ramps and elevators.

[viking]

Definitely take a Segway tour before you buy one.

I am a teacher who has been interested in this mode of transportation, but has not had the chance to ride one. Until.....on a trip to Europe with my wife, we booked a Segway tour thru the streets of Prague Czech Republic.

Looking back on the adventure is was great, the wind in my hair as we sped down century old cobble stone streets while soaking in all the history of old Prague.

But...the actual experience was very different at the time. The instruction period lasted for about 5 minutes, after being told we won't need helmets. And then we were off through the streets, up and down curbs (the Czech Republic doesn't have to follow ADA) and down steep streets. My wife and I both fell off and crashed into park benches and curbs. The guides advaice was get back on and go.

Moral of the story...start out on a flat surface, to get the hang of it before you take it out on the street. Very cool transportation, probably this technology will be a part of future commuter cars in urban centers.