London has always been on the cutting edge of innovation. In the world of fashion, both the tuxedo and purple clothing dye were invented by Londoners, technological advancements such as the ATM cash machine and hand held computer were made in this city, but it’s perhaps in transport that the most influential developments have taken place. Roller skates, underground tube trains and the Harrier jump jets all made their first journeys on, below, or above Earth here in this great capital City. So it's only appropriate that the transportation revolution of the 21st century has also come to London, and the best way to experience it is with a Segway ride.

A segway is a personal transporter, a kind of small vehicle designed for one person. It consists of two wheels, a platform to stand on and handlebars which stand at just above waist height. It is self-balancing, meaning it will naturally stand in an upright position, but you control it by leaning your weight, and the vehicle with you, in whichever direction you want to go. The electric motor and wheels respond by taking you in that direction - at speeds of up to 12 miles an hour! While that’s not much compared to the Harrier’s 735 miles an hour, for getting to know the exciting metropolis of London, with something new to see at every turn, the segway is our recommended vehicle of choice.

Where are the best places to ride a segway in London?

• Battersea Park: in the heart of the capital, Battersea park sits on the South bank of the River Thames, with views across the water to Chelsea, and to Westminster, the City of London and beyond to the East. This park is a perfect place to have an exciting Segway experience: its 200 acres combine lawns with lakes, an old English garden with a zoo, and a 1 kilometer riverfront walkway. After a training session and a practice go around a track, you’ll be unleashed on the park trails. Riding one, even if you don’t push it to its top speed, can give you a real thrill, as you and your movements are in complete control of your trajectory. On the other hand, if you prefer a more sedate tour of this Victorian park, you can take it slow, steady and stately.

• Alexandra Palace: built in the 1870s as a People’s Palace for leisure and entertainment, Alexandra Palace (affectionately known as Ally Pally) stands in acres of parkland in the North. A Segway ride here is a fun way to explore the park, and put your sense of balance to the test. You’ll have time to warm up and get used to the vehicle at first, before taking a guided tour of the park, playing games like Follow the Leader all the time. The activity will give you a chance to try riding it on a variety of different terrains. That’s right, you won’t just potter around on the tarmac, you can try slippery grass, uneven off road paths and woodland leaf litter - each of which need to be treated differently if you’re going to get the best out of it. The Alexandra Palace park is a designated nature reserve, as it hosts important populations of animals and plants. In fact, with almost 1,000 species of plant, animal and insect life, it’s a haven for biodiversity in the urban landscape. One of the great things about these vehicles is that they’re electric, meaning that they have a low carbon footprint and you don’t have to worry about harming the natural environment with this mode of transport. They’re also very quiet which might help you sneak up on some little animals to get a closer look without getting seen!

Important note - UK law prohibits riding segways or other “powered transporters” on public roads. While this legislation may change in the coming years as our relationship with the urban environment develops, for now this experience is confined to private land, such as that of Battersea Park or Alexandra Palace.

Requirements to do this activity

Segways are a vehicle which all the family can enjoy in London. Although the top speed is 12 miles an hour, this can be limited for younger riders to around 6 miles an hour. The good news is that there’s no age limit on stepping onto the platform and taking control, even children can do it. The only rule is that they must be at least 134 cm tall, that’s 4 foot 5 inches. This is necessary because the adjustable handlebars at their lowest setting shouldn’t stand higher than the rider’s shoulders as this would make controlling the vehicle very difficult.

In addition, it relies on the rider's weight to start, stop, and turn, so very small children are too light to properly control one. The minimum weight for every rider is 45 kg, or 7.1 stone. On the other hand, the steering, suspension and balance systems have limits on the quantity that they can carry. A segway is designed for one person only, and they must weigh less than 117 kg, which is 18.4 stone. These limits are not specific to London providers, as they are set by the manufacturer.

Taking a segway ride with a group of friends or family is a fantastic way to have fun together and see a new part of the city. You can make bookings for 6 or 12 people, and you’ll all get to ride. Your experience will include games and activities, so this is sure to be an experience that stays with you and your loved ones for a long time.

How long does an experience last?

An hour’s enjoyment is what you can expect from your experience, and that hour will be a varied mix of activities to keep you entertained, while letting you get to know this state of the art vehicle better and test its limits. The session will be led by an expert and entertaining guide, who’ll help you onto the segway and explain the controls, and how to stay safe. After that, you’ll have some time on a special track free from obstacles (including pedestrians and cyclists!) and then the fun can begin. You’ll play some games, explore the area, and have some free riding time to see what they are really capable of.

The future is here! Take your first ride on an electric, low carbon, self balancing personal transporter here.