Wounded soldiers denied use of Segways in San Antonion parks

This isn't about safety but a money making deal for the parks. They want the people who have to rely on wheelchairs to get around to use theirs.

You would think someone at corporate would say "This is probably not good for PR...."

Nonsense. What this is not about is the military service of the people involved, first of all. I hate when people (like those in the comments on that story) want to make it about that. It's also not about money. I'm convinced that people who feel this way have not been on a Segway, especially one that has the governor turned off. They do have the potential to be dangerous in a crowd.

I've never felt more like a speed demon, than when I rode a Segway. They're fast, and extremely sensitive. I can see them being a danger in a crowded place.

Didn't something like this come up in the last year or so with a different park? Similar situation I think, except this time it's wounded soldiers, so of course it's more sensationalized.

I truly dislike stories like this, that try to play off sympathy and patriotism. "All the wounded soldiers have done so much, I don't see why it has to be this way." Quotes like that make it seem like the soldiers were barred from the park or something, rather than simply asked to use a safer vehicle to navigate the park. My stepbrother served in Iraq, I respect people that served, but I don't understand why that means they should receive exceptions to any rule they wish.

Yeah, the last story was about Disney World. Someone tried to sue them I think, and lost.

That's the one. I remember the strongest argument for segways in that one was Disney's own monitored and controlled use of them for certain programs, which isn't applicable in this case.

I wouldn't dare ride (drive?) a Segway through a park. It's bad enough on a street.

It's a ton of fun out on the street but I'm in agreement regarding the crowd. Not a good idea.

I despise this article. how dare the writer try to make this about Solders. This is simply about park policy. no one no mater who they are are allowed to use segways in teh park. My home park has the same rule. hell they have had it since 2002.

The story back a few months regarding Disney was not a segway it is a motorized wheel chair made my the segway company that can lift the disabled person to a standing position. The individual refused to lower the chiar to proge it wasn;t a traditional segway.

I have been on a segway a few times. even with the Governor on so it stay at 4mph it can still be dangerous. Clark's has a Segway safety and it is only allowed 10 segway in a reasonably large area. it is not appropriate for a crowded midway. not to mentin teh amount of power you need to stand and shift your weight to use the device for an extended period. If they can't walk for a long period of time they should rent a chair. if they are disabled enough that they need a chair chances are they have, in the case of the article, been issued one through the VA.

What came to my mind was the incident last year when a disabled veteran's family wanted him to get into Michigan's Adventure for free because he couldn't ride anything. It's a different situation than the Segway issue, but in a similar fashion, the comments on the article largely centered around the fact that he was an Iraq War veteran, rather than the park's policy or how the family went about it. Remove the veteran component of the equation, and I imagine many of those comments would have been different.

^ I'm also positive that all those people who commented on how "atrocious" this is would also be milking all these companies for money if they ever did happen to be injured or run over by one of them during their day at the theme park....so, blame the park for not letting people use them that need them, but then also blame the park because they let people use them and someone in your party suffered an injury....and now you also want some kind of rationale or compensation for your troubles

Many of the policies and procedures about this kind of thing have been in place a long time; it's not like parks just decided to make these up as to upset this particular group of people. No one is trying to deny these people admission (as some comment said); but merely asking to use a device that is more park approved (is that a good way to put it??) and safe to deal with the overwhelming crowds.

.....so perhaps these written rules need to be updated/re-worded to reflect more recent technology and times.

So, not completely on subject. But, while at Cedar Point a few weeks ago, I saw a older gentleman buzzing by on a Segway. Heading from general area of Ocean Motion heading toward the Sky Ride area. He didn't look like an employee. I have a picture somewhere. When I find it, I'll try to remember to post it.

First off, the headline says "denied access," not denied use of Segways as the headline here states. So right off, it sounds like the man wasn't allowed past the gate. Next, you have the "oh they're so greedy" comments that follow the story. I love how all these do-gooders always crawl out of the woodwork to tell someone else to give out things for free. If the locals want to boycott amusement parks because they didn't give this vet a freebie, should they also boycott every other business that has the audacity to charge this man for their products and services?

F2006, I agree with your post totally.

I'm also wondering about the logistics of using a Segway with your family at the park. Even 4 or 5 mph is a pretty brisk pace. While the rider buzzes off, does his family run behind trying to keep up? Or do they just agree to meet at certain attractions or intervals before they're off again?

Are segways culturally relevant anymore? What it all comes down to is that you are paying for a service when attending a theme park. Since its a privately run business any rules and regulations they feel are for the best interest of guests can and will be enforced. If one doesn't like those rules, then don't go and pay for that service, nuff said!

I never thought of the Segway as a cultural thing the way many people have. To me it's a useful mode of transportation in certain situations.