Simon Malls Segway UNfriendly

[wenbias]

I have been asked to leave two shopping malls out of many visited in the last year. Both have been Simon properties. I found yesterday that Segways have been lumped with bicycles, skateboards, rollerblades, running and radios prohibited in Item #2 on the "Welcome to Simon Malls" gretting signs as prohibited conduct which may be disorderly, disruptive or endangering to others.
When I asked if it would be permitted with a handicapped sticker on it I was told, probably not, you would have to check with the Mall office for permission. The mall office said that it would not be allowed and they would require the rider to use one of their wheelchairs. Not welcome news for those who need them for mobility.
Both Malls had a Brookstone Store as a tenant, but neither had a demo unit. That might prove a little tricky. Such is life.

Segway . . . the most fun you can have standing up with clothes on!

[dhugger]

I managed to slip into a Simon mall early in March before they made the rule. About a week or two later, I asked if any regulations had gone through, and they told me that the HTs were no longer allowed.

-Derek Hugger-

[Florida Ever-Glides]

The same 'no Segways' policy is true at the Westfield Shopping-Town Malls. I had asked the General Manager to inquire as to their policy With Segways nationally, and he said that currently they would only be allowed for the disabled.

Tom Jacobson

[jrmiller]

Greetings to all, Well the mall issue seems to be heading for a showdown. One would think that the powers that be would at least give the HT's a chance to prove that they are not an "endangerment" in the same venue as rollerblades and skateboards. Has common sense ceased to be a factor in human relations?

[verbl800]

Nothing to do with common sense. More than likely it's an insurance issue, whereby the mall in question is prohibited from allowing wheeled devices into the premises because of liability issues.

What you don't seem to understand is that if you, as a Segway rider, hits another person within the mall, the mall would maintain liability and it's insurance company would need to pay any resulting claims. Therefore, the easy way to avoid such unpleasantness is to simply ban the Seg's use within the mall (something they have every right to do on their own private property).

[Murray Fisher]

We have a couple malls and some large stores like WalMart etc and I have always barged right in and cruised them all....talked to managers and no problems....yesterday I had a NEW experience though. I went in a hospital. I purposely hauled the Seg on my car carrier, unloaded it and went right into the lobby thru the automatic doors. Went over to the desk to ask where a young lady patient was who had just had a hip replacement. Glided over to the elevator. Punched the UP button and waited a couple minutes. The elevator was full and would you believe a couple stepped out to let me in, but I declined and waited for another...this one had several in it...of course they were really surprised to see the Seg and me, but I moved right in. Got off at my floor and in the hallway saw the Sister that manages the hospital. She smiled and asked me about the Seg. I asked if it was okay to go visit a friend......she said SURE....and started to walk me the right direction....I stepped off and asked her if she would like to RIDE. She was surprised and at first declined, but then I talked her into it.......she slowly rode it down the hallway and with my coaching turned a couple corners....you never saw so many astonished employees. She got off at my door and told me to go on in and visit my friend, which I did. Ditto on the way back and I let a doctor and a nurse ride it a bit on the way back out. I guess they all forgot to ask me if I had insurance. In talking to my Attorney later, he said that normally it would be ME, not the Mall or Hospital that would be liable in case of an accident so I should have my own insurance!! Which I do.

Murray Fisher

[MagiMike]

Simon Property Group is in fact the largest operator of malls inside the United States. They own 247 malls according to their site at Simon.com. You can check to see if your local mall is owned by them by clicking on "locate malls" from the home page.

Want to tell the President of the Community Shopping Center Division, Michael E. McCarty your feelings about the Segway ban? His phone number is 317-685-7333.
or snail mail at Corporate Headquarters - Simon Property Group, Inc. 115 West Washington St. Indianapolis, Indiana 46204


Mike in Houston TX.
It is better to know some of the questions than all of the answers. - James Thurber

[fredkap]

Murray, Glad you had a great experience as a visitor at the hospital. If I recall, you have a hip problem and thus are covered under the ADA for those wondering if all of us should be able to visit the hospital. I don't have much time right now so I'll have to wait until later to discuss comments regarding the ADA as it covers our Segs. I will say that anyone that thinks the ADA does not cover Segs is not correct.

Fred

[Dwarf84396]

I do think that this ban is a bit backwards. Simon Properties Group has a Brookstone in Lenox Mall which has a demo unit which is used almost every day inside of the mall. If they are afraid of Segways, then why do they let Brookstone have the units in the mall?

Ben

I try to take one day at a time, but sometimes several days attack me at once
Ashleigh Brilliant

[GadgetmanKen]

Hey Wen, Which malls did you go to? The ones here in Indy, Dayton or Columbus? Do they own some in Richmond? I'm afraid they are right about the liability issues, but I think if you had told them you have insurance on it, it may have helped. The other issue is Mel and Herb Simon are buying up malls left and right. They are constantly in the news over hostile take over or buyout attempts. They are having a real hard time with the Glendale mall trying to keep anchors and tennants. It seems money is their motivator. However, the wife of one of them is who you should demo to, I think she is has a soft spot for the public. She just recently ran for office but backed out. I don't remember the reason why, tho. Getting her on your side, most likely would help your cause.

"Wouldn't it be cool, if?...is like Folgers in my cup"

[mzokc]

My visit to a Simon mall was Saturday, May 24, 2003.

There is a scooter store in the mall and I have told the Brookstone store I would bring the HT in for them to try someday. What follows is the blog explaining what happened on May 24th. Sorry to hear about recent policies to refuse the Segway HT at Simon Malls.

Mark


Gliding at Penn Square Mall

When Frank announced the 1000th registered member on Saturday, May 24th, I posted, "...the best is yet to come!" Ironically, Saturday was one of those days, my first visit to THE MALL.

Several days ago I received a call from the Police Public Information Office. The captain wanted to schedule glide time when off duty. At last, he was going to get the demo I had promised in the past. The place, Penn Square Mall, our most fashionable and upscale mall several miles north of the downtown area. He planned to review the state law on EPAMD's with mall management as well.

The officers quickly advanced through black, yellow and red keys with perfection and speed. Mall security took movies during the black key demos. It was a perfect demonstration of the Segway HT before gliding inside.

http://homepage.mac.com/mzokc/segway/PhotoAlbum79.html

I stopped at Customer Service to give demos to those behind the counter while mall security looked on. Everyone loved the Segway HT and enjoyed how well it works. All positive comments!

First store, GODIVA Chocolatier! The lady at the counter said she saw me on the news while her assistant went to the concert and saw me gliding outside. She waved an American flag during the "Soldier" number. We enjoyed friendly and fun conversation

Where to next? The Sharper Image made sense, as the HT would fit right in! The staff loved riding it and they had Segway smiles. We concluded that the store should have a Segway charging station for those who need to park their HT while shopping.

Time for food, so I rode the elevator up to the second floor. Gliding over to the food court, the Sweis's manager wanted a demo. His was the last demo requested by mall staff that evening. I did not give demos to any of the shoppers, although several asked.

I checked if the HT was wider than the mall escalator as shown in the picture. Thank goodness, it was. NEVER ride an HT on an escalator. Don't even think of trying it.

However, at Foleys, I decided to get OFF the HT and like stairs, push it onto the down escalator or pull it onto the up escalator. While it worked, it requires a strong grip on the center handlebar during the entire process. I cannot recommend it due to the possibility of an escalator emergency stop. Do not attempt it unless you are experienced with manually pulling it up a flight of steps. Use the elevator, even if you must glide some distance to it.

And it bears repeating: NEVER ride an HT on an escalator. The Segway warning is: EXTREMELY DANGEROUS.

While most aisles of the mall stores are wide enough, there are some so narrow you cannot glide down them. Keep the wheels away from all solid objects. The tires must be able to keep moving. Be extra careful in the crystal and china department.

While gliding, I found a unique store that features other electric wheeled devices. This store should soon have a walled location. There is no question, Penn Square Mall appears to be very Segway friendly. May the friendliness continue for all to enjoy.

[Murray Fisher]

HI Fred,
Yes, I have an arthritic hip problem but not a candidate for replacement. I DO have a Handicap permit, but do not use it unless necessary. I did NOT show it at the hospital nor volunteer that I had one. I keep trying places and things on purpose, so we can be accepted WITHOUT the permit, but I have it in the handlebar carrier and can flip it out if need be. My wife says I keep DARING them to throw me out. We will go to our Mall here today, which is quite large and I have never had any problems. Next Thursday is the grand opening of our new Home Depot and I expect to be there with the Segway.



quote:Originally posted by fredkap

Murray, Glad you had a great experience as a visitor at the hospital. If I recall, you have a hip problem and thus are covered under the ADA for those wondering if all of us should be able to visit the hospital. I don't have much time right now so I'll have to wait until later to discuss comments regarding the ADA as it covers our Segs. I will say that anyone that thinks the ADA does not cover Segs is not correct.

Fred


Murray Fisher