Newtown to become mobility capital of Wales - Öpik

12.59.22pm BST (GMT +0100) Fri 23rd Oct 2009

Lembit Öpik, Liberal Democrat MP for Montgomeryshire, today visited Border Mobility, Welshpool, following the group's decision to stock the Segway Personal Transporter for sale and hire.

Commenting on this decision, Steve Wood, senior partner of Border Mobility, said,

"We can see the Segway opening up a whole new arm of our business. The difference in technology levels compared to an electric scooter is staggering.

"Postal workers, security staff, people with mobility issues, they can all get a lot out of using this practical vehicle. And, quite frankly, it's a lot of fun too.

"It took us about a minute to learn how to use it and all the people we've shown it to so far have had a similar experience. Everybody wants to have a go on it - it's a real head turner. We love it and that's why we're now stocking it for sale or hire."

Lembit Öpik MP, added:

"This is the first distributor in Wales to stock the Segway. They've seen the opportunity and have grabbed it with both handlebars!

"I've been using a Segway for around 12 months now, with no accidents, no maintenance and no arrests! While the Department for Transport remains stuck in a bureaucratic gridlock over this technology, we've decided the time has come to get on with an eco-friendly and mobility-attractive technology, which just makes common sense. Even the police want to use them!

"So if you want a Segway, go to Border Mobility and have a go. You'll be amazed at how simple they are. I hope Newtown will become the mobility capital of Wales, thanks to the Segway."

UK Distributor Wayne Mitchell commented

"I've been working to get clarity from the Department of Transport over the status of the Segway for over 5 years now. In fact, Lembit and I have been pushing this issue with civil servants for 18 months now. They have remained vague about it, but there hasn't been a single prosecution in the whole of the UK in all that time. Police in London have actually used Segways themselves!

"With over 2,000 already in use in the UK, I'm delighted to be working with Border Mobility to finally release the product in Wales. It's an outstanding modern solution to mobility problems, and I'm pretty sure that soon enough there'll be dozens of Segways in and around the county. It's a good partnership and the real winner will be the user."

Ends/diwedd

Notes:

For information about Border Mobility, please contact Steve Wood on 01938 556 281 or visit http://www.bordermobility.co.uk/