Adventure the Segway way

 

Photographers zoom around sports fields on them, police patrol the street aboard them, golf courses hire them out and American presidents apparently trip over them.

Segway Personal Transporters are becoming an increasingly common site particularly when speed and accessibility is required.

For local Mangawhai father and amputee Blair Graham, the two-wheeled personal transport has proved to be invaluable. The eco-friendly device allows Graham more access to recreational activities especially when keeping up with his 5-year-old son, Monty.

“Having a Segway changed my mobility,” Graham says. “I can thoroughly enjoy doing things now that my kids love to do outside like bike riding, beach walks and just getting out and about.”

Graham has tried the Segway’s abilities out in a variety of ways including towing pre-schooler Monty in a bike-buggy behind the machine and helping to push him up hills on bike rides. He has taken the scooter through bush tracks, down flights of stairs and says he is also keen to try out the two-wheels on Treble Cone’s compacted snow.

“The more I ride, the keener I am to do more,” he says.

While involved with Mangawhai forestry work in 1992, Graham’s lower left leg had to be amputated below the knee after being crushed by a log-skidder. In the past he has used wheelchairs, crutches and walking sticks to get around but says nothing compares to the smooth ride of a Segway.

A rider for four years, Graham believes the machine could benefit anyone who suffers with impaired mobility.

“It could be good for stroke victims or anyone who is disabled by any ailment that inhibits mobility.”

Segway’s sensitive technology means it responds to the riders natural reactions and has inbuilt safety features.

“You basically just need to stand,” Graham says. “It does what you instruct it to do, lean forward, it goes forward, lean backwards and it slows down, lean left or right to turn.”

“Even going down a steep incline the Segway won’t speed up because you naturally lean back and it will slow down,” he says. “You’re in control of the speed, it won’t suddenly get away on you.”

In January 2016, Graham decided to bring the Segway experience to Mangawhai and other surrounding areas, offering tourists and locals alike an adventurous way of sightseeing.

Segway’s can venture over all sorts of terrain including sand, asphalt and bush tracks. They are legally allowed to be ridden on footpaths or roads if no sidewalk available, reach a top speed of 20kmh and can be ridden while seated or standing. Legally riders do not have to wear helmets however Graham advises it is good protection and wears one himself around busy streets.

He says a two minute lesson is all that is required for a new rider to feel at ease and comfortable on the machines.

“Every customer so far has been impressed with the ease of how they ride, they can’t believe how much fun they are,” Graham says. “I had a 92-year-old man have a go, he was amazed at how safe the machine felt.”

While Graham hires out the Segway’s for individual use, he says touring with him is beneficial as he encourages riders to try different terrains that they might not attempt if riding alone.

“I take people around the bush tracks, out to the Heads and along the beaches, it’s a great way to see the area in a different way,” he says. “Compared to the cost of a quad or motorbike, I believe in the future farmers will be using them.”

n Check out facebook.com/mobilesegwaytours

MOBILE: Blair Graham and son Monty often ride out together for a Segway adventure.

To ‘segue’ [proun; ‘seg-way’] ‘to transition smoothly from one thing to another.’