Getting around!

Saturday involves running around, reading the paper, getting the shopping done and other such weekend stuff. Here's one result of my news reading:- 

"It's a great way to see a city. It's fun to ride a Segway anyway, and you see way more than you would on foot. If you get tired of walking or bored with sights, it's perfect." Thus spoke Massimo Ferrara, who works as a guide with an agency that organises Segway tours in Rome. 

He was talking about those peculiar scooter affairs that roll down hill, charging their battery so that they can tackle the next uphill section of route. Well, that's how someone explained it to me. 

They are very popular with lazy tourists, or perhaps people who just love something gimmicky. As for us, we are very snobby about our tourism and like to "walk the walk", as we call it, getting to know a place by walking around everywhere. There must be places with steps and other difficulties that Segways can't cope with. Feet can go anywhere! 

Anyway, Barcelona and Prague have banned the use of them because of complaints from residents and even from tourists. I wouldn't fancy getting in the way of one of them and having my toes crushed. 

 One of the problems is deciding where they can be ridden. Some places allow them on the pavement. As if there wasn't enough of a problem with bicycles.! Others have them use cycle paths. Germany requires a permit for pavement use. 

In the UK, they are classified as motor vehicles. As such they are not allowed in pavements. However, motor vehicles require a license, insurance, lights, brakes and registration plates. So they are not allowed on the road either. 

 If you own one, you can only use it on your private estate! 

So it goes.