Segway approved at the Zoo and at the Mall!

[BenBethel]

I have the following two emails from folks at the largest mall here in Arizona (the largest in the Southwest, 1.8 million sqft vs Mall of America's 2.5 million sqft!) as well as the Phoenix Zoo (the nation's largest privately owned non-profit zoo, if that means anything!):

First, the shopping center:

Dear Mr. Bethel:

We welcome the use of a Segway as a means for personal transport here at Scottsdale (as long as it is being used in a safe manner). In fact, we actually had a Segway store here during the holidays. I appreciate you checking on our policy. Have a great day!

Mike Landstad
Security Manager
Scottsdale Fashion Square
The Macerich Company
480-945-5495

--------------------------------

Now, the Zoo:

THE FOLLOWING MESSAGE IS FROM JEFF WILLIAMSON, CEO/PRESIDENT, THE PHOENIX ZOO:

Mr. Bethel:

Your's is the first question we have had about Segways.

By copy of this email I am informing our front gate admissions staff and our park rangers that Segway self-balancing, two wheeled devices, will be allowed on Zoo grounds.

The Phoenix Zoo is largely a pedestrian environment but there are also staff carts and people mover trams on our grounds and we hope this equipment will be operated with the utmost concern for safety, other visitors and vehicles.

I would recommend when you arrive that you check in with our park rangers so that they will be aware the equipment is being used on grounds during your visit.


Annette Heath
Executive Assistant to Jeff Williamson
The Phoenix Zoo
455 N. Galvin Parkway
Phoenix, Arizona 85008-3431
(602) 914-4324

================================================

Woo hoo - how's that for great news?!!
Ben

www.benbethel.com

[Race3]

Excellent! Nice to see both facilities are realistic and open minded... the way it should be.

[SegwayUtah]

Ben,

Excellent news. I'm thinking that's a perfect place to visit over Christmas, when it's not so stinking hot outside! :)

Chris

[Sal]

That's FREAKIN' AWESOME!!!!

Let's hope many many more vanues follow suit as time goes on.

-Sal

Think Different
www.apple.com

Answers that Matter
www.lilly.com

[ElectraGlide]

Hey......thats great ! Good to see some places accepting the Segway's use on their grounds and in their facilities. Riding slowly and safely would impress the "powers that be", and would re-affirm the decision they made to let Segway inside.

Steve

[Mr_Laurenzano]

Ben does it again.

Find the way. Everything comes full circle.

[jillmac]

I hoped I was going to open this thread up and find that you were talking about San Diego Zoo! Oh well.

Good for you - you got great replies - I only wish other establishments were as understanding.

Jill

Nothing is inexplicable, merely unexplained..... Dr. Who

[segwayowner]

thats great. One more point for outreach!

DES: Segway owner....
it has a nice ring to it

In Arizona, Hunting camels is prohibited.

Owls are one of the only birds that can see the color blue.
During a 24-hour period, the average human will breathe 23,040 times.

[SegwayBill]

Life is good!

Bill

[terryp]

That's very cool Ben. Have you taken your Seg either place yet? We're anxious to hear about the reactions you get. If I could manage a few days off, I'd love to drive to Phoenix and join you.

Practicing safe Segs in Seattle

[dhugger]

Nice going, Ben!

http://segwaychat.com/photos/dhugger/dhugger2.gif

[stevew]

Cool, Ben. You never know until you ask!

[statmed]

Arizona seems to be one of the more progressive states in many areas and Segway use is one of them.

I have been to Tucson many times, Phoenix, Scottsdale, Sedona (I love Sedona), and many other places and I absolutely love this state.

When I move, Arizona is the state I'm moving to. Arizonas acceptance of Segways is one more reason for me to go move there when the time comes.




H.M. Stern
statmed@optonline.net

I Love It When A Plan Comes Together (Hannibal Smith)

[jrmiller]

Good show Ben, now maybe you could write Disney and sprinkle some magic "Arizona dust" on them and get a similar letter of approval from them !!! ONward and forward SEG-ON SEG-RIGHT JR

[BenBethel]

Should I publish the letter that I sent to them so that you may use it as a template? It's a 'stretch' but it worked! And whoever wants to move to Arizona, let me know - I'm finally a Realtor here, taking over for my parents who've been in the business for 50 years... shameless plug, I know. ;)

www.benbethel.com

[MagiMike]

Yes, Ben. I would be interested in seeing the letter you sent them. Please publish so we can shamlessly plagerize it.

[smoother]

publish away.

Houston Zoo said no. But I don't think it would have been good Segging territory. We walked it instead. Worked out just fine.

John Out.
"Live to glide, glide to live"

[Segway City]

Ben: Post it! Good opportunity to advance the cause across the board.

Phoenix is a great city, I worked for a company for a few years on West Camelback Road and enjoyed it immensely. But that sun! Can't lay your keys down for 5 minutes without getting a burn picking them up.