From San Francisco’s hills to the streets of Madrid and Córdoba, riding a Segway turned sightseeing into pure fun, a bucket‑list item I’ve happily crossed off more than once.
Some bucket‑list items sneak up on you. Others roll straight across your television screen and announce themselves. The first time I saw a Segway, it was a policeman gliding along somewhere in America, looking far too relaxed for someone on duty. I remember thinking, almost instantly, that I had to try one. It looked effortless, futuristic, and just a little bit ridiculous, the perfect combination.
Years later, I’ve ridden Segways in cities all over the world, and every time I step onto one, I’m reminded why this made my list in the first place.
What a Segway Actually Is.
A Segway is a two‑wheeled, self‑balancing personal transporter, the sort of thing that looks like it belongs in a sci‑fi film but somehow ended up on city pavements instead. Invented by Dean Kamen and launched in 2001, it was supposed to revolutionise personal transport. It didn’t quite change the world, but it did make sightseeing a lot more fun.
The original Segway PT stopped production in 2020, but the idea lives on in various forms. And for me, the experience itself is what matters.
San Francisco: My First Ride.
My first Segway adventure was in San Francisco, a city that seems designed to test the limits of human calf muscles. A Segway tour felt like cheating in the best possible way. There were six of us weaving through the streets, learning more from our guide than we ever would have on foot.
We became a tourist attraction ourselves. People photographed us as we zipped past Pier 39 and the historic district. At one set of traffic lights, I stopped next to a car bouncing up and down to the beat of its own stereo. The driver was showing off, so I returned the favour by spinning the Segway on the spot with one finger. He laughed so hard he missed the green light, and I “burned him off” at about 8 miles per hour.
New Orleans: No Lesson Needed.
By the time I reached New Orleans, I was a seasoned Segway rider. No need for the introductory lesson, I stepped on and off we went. It was a brilliant way to explore the city, especially the parts I’d missed on previous visits. Once again, we became moving photo opportunities for tourists who seemed more fascinated by us than the architecture.
Savannah: Too Hot to Walk.
Savannah was another perfect Segway city. It was far too hot to walk long distances, and the Segway made the whole experience enjoyable instead of exhausting. I saw more of the city than I ever could have on foot or by car, gliding through shaded squares and historic streets.
Madrid: A Personal Tour.
Madrid gave me one of my favourite Segway memories. It was just my friend Paul, our guide, and me. He asked what we wanted to see and built the tour around it. We even crossed a railway line and navigated steps, something I didn’t know a Segway could do. He took us to a tiny backstreet bar for lunch, the sort of place we’d never have found on our own. It felt like discovering a secret version of the city.
Córdoba: A Private Ride Through History.
In Córdoba, I had the tour guide all to myself. She spoke excellent English and asked what I wanted to see. I told her it was my first visit and to show me as much as possible. For two hours, we glided through the city, covering more ground than I ever could have on foot. She pointed out places I hope to return to one day and explore properly.
Why Segways Stay on My List.
I’ve crossed “ride a Segway” off my bucket list many times now, but it’s one of those experiences I keep returning to. It’s fun, it’s easy, and it turns sightseeing into something playful. Whenever I plan a trip, I always check to see if there’s a Segway tour available.
Some bucket‑list items are one‑and‑done. This one keeps rolling back into my life.
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