Explorit offers Segway rides and holiday shopping

Go for a “glide” at Explorit Science Center’s “Segway Day” program from 1-4 p.m. Saturday. Rain or shine, Bob and Tricia Howell from Segway of Napa-Solano will visit the center to talk about the personal transporters and offer rides to those who bring a helmet and meet height and weight requirements.

Tricia Howell believes it is important to share Segways with the general public.

“They’re a new, environmentally safe mode of transportation and can travel 25 miles on a single battery charge, which costs approximately 14 cents,” Howell says. The batteries also recharge while the rider goes downhill, making them even more economical.

Segway personal transporters are two-wheeled, self-balancing devices created by New Hampshire inventor Dean Kamen as an innovative, energy-efficient mode of transportation. They’ve gained a following since they hit the market in 2002, with more than 23,000 sold as of mid-2006. Capable of traveling up to 12 miles per hour, which is about the speed of a human runner, this unique way of getting around is also simple to operate. After balancing, a rider simply leans forward to move ahead and leans back to reverse direction.

“People are so surprised how easy it is to learn,” Howell says. “A lot of people are fearful at first that they’re going to fall, but with proper instruction, they learn that the Segway is quite easy to use and manipulate.”

Not everyone can safely ride a Segway.

“A rider needs to be between 100 to 260 pounds to properly balance on the Segway and must be able to stand upright unassisted. Also, the arms of some young children may not be long enough to reach the handles, although I’ve seen children as young as 10 successfully ride. It depends on the size and maturity of the rider,” Howell cautions.

Howell is most fascinated by the diversity of Segway users and the variety of places they are used. Bomb squads at Travis AFB, patrolling police officers, workers at Disney World and the average, everyday grocery shopper have all used Segways.

“I think that is what’s so interesting about this equipment — the broadness of the Segway’s appeal and the fact that they can be useful in so many different situations,” she says.

The Howells’ visit to Explorit is part of the science center’s Family Exploration series of events. The Segway rides are free with admission to the center, located at 2801 Second St., Davis.

Attention holiday shoppers: The Explorit Store's shelves are loaded with science-related items that make great gifts. Consider the global warming coffee mugs, which feature a landmass that shrinks when a hot beverage is added, or Einstein and Marie Curie “finger puppets” for your favorite scientist. And for Frisbee players, the store currently has Aerobie Frisbees, the Arrow Putter, Epic Driver and the Orbiter Boomerang. Shop early, as supplies are limited and these items are popular.

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Explorit Science Center is open at its new site, 2801 Second St., Davis. This is the last weekend to explore the hands-on exhibition“Holes: An Opening Into the Sciences.” Public hours are Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Tuesday through Friday from 2 to 4:30 p.m. For more information: www.explorit.org or (530) 756-0191.