If you see the two wheeled podiums riding around downtown Long Beach, don’t be scared! Those awkward looking moving podiums are called Segways and they’re here to help!
This morning across from the Long Beach Aquarium, the City of Long Beach, Bubba Gump’s Shrimp CO, LBPD and Segway all joined together to officially Launch “The Downtown Guides” new rides.
It was quite the experience watching our Mayor Bob Foster learn how to drive one of these and I must admit, he’s pretty good!
The DLBA gives us a good description of how these odd looking machines work as great tools and will further the safety of our community.
(Taken from DLBA’s e-newsletter)
You’ve probably seen the Downtown Guides rolling through the
neighborhoods these past few weeks with a new spring in their step.
That’s because the Downtown Long Beach Associates, in collaboration with Segway of Long Beach, has rolled out a new mode of transportation for our downtown ambassadors.
Downtown Guides will now patrol our five districts on foot, on bikes and on Segways. These personal transportation devices, which you’ve
probably seen rolling through Downtown or along the beach thanks to
Segway of Long Beach’s rental stores at The Pike and in the Renaissance
Hotel, will provide many benefits to stakeholders, visitors and
residents.
With a platform situated approximately one foot off the ground, the
Guides will have the benefit of an elevated perspective that will allow
them greater visibility and better views of activity on the streets.
Additionally, the ease of mobility between the Downtown districts will
be greatly improved, allowing for quicker response times and more
efficient travel between stops.
As always, the Guides will be equipped with PDAs allowing them to
provide printed directions and additional information about Downtown
businesses and attractions.
The Downtown Long Beach Associates has also entered into a partnership with the Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. to advertise on the Segway devices over the next year. The brightly colored billboard displays and Downtown Guide monikers can be seen on the front of the specially-designed billboards installed on each Segway device.
Downtown guides showing their skills.
Vice-Mayor Bonnie Lowenthal and Mayor Foster pretend jousting.
LBPD on their own custom Segways
After everything was said and done, Steve Sheldon of the DLBA handed over the reigns of his Segway to me. I must admit after riding one, its fun, addicting and I could see why we couldn’t get the Mayor off of it!