Segway tours permitted at Golden Gate Park

SAN FRANCISCO, Dec. 5, 2007 (KGO) (KGO) -- Riding one of those segway scooters on the sidewalks in San Francisco is illegal. But you'll soon be able to ride them in Golden Gate Park, at least for the next six months.

That's after a unanimous decision today by the city's Recreation and Park Commission

Even on a rainy day, you'll find bicyclists, joggers and walkers enjoying Golden Gate Park. Now add Segways to the mix.

"In many places around the United States and the world this is an option and we want to see if it works for Golden Gate Park," said Rose Dennis from the San Francisco Recreation and Parks Department.

Five years ago San Francisco banned Segways from sidewalks after demonstrations by groups like Senior Action Network. Karen Fishkin protested then and is now concerned about potential danger in the park.

"If you're mixing them in with pedestrians, little kids and like you said disabled, I just don't think it's a good idea," said Karen Fishkin from the Senior Action Network.

The park trails are not legally considered sidewalks and on Thursday, the city's Recreation and Park Commission gave the go-ahead to Segway of San Francisco to begin a pilot program on weekends and some holidays.

"It allows a lot of people who don't have the ability to walk or don't have the five or six hour's time to explore the east end of the park," said Joe Trimble from Segway of San Francisco.

Under the plan you can't rent a Segway and just go anywhere you want. There are designated routes and a tour guide.

The route includes some trails only for Segways, but others near top spots like the Conservatory of Flowers will be shared paths.

Company officials say the Segway's top speed of 12.5 miles per hour is slower than most joggers.

ABC7's Carolyn Tyler: "Would it be okay with you, if Segway scooters came down this path?"

Jogger: "Yeah."

"I think the scooters should stay on the streets," said another jogger.

The South Bay cities of Campbell and Los Gatos have banned Segways from their trails. San Francisco will reconsider its approval after six months.

Golden Gate Park will likely see the recreational devices around before Christmas, and it will cost $90 dollars for a two-hour tour.

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