Weekend with the rents...

So, a few weekends ago my parents were in town. They came to see my new place and spend some time downtown. The last time they were in Chicago was last Christmas and it was too cold to be outside really, so they were excited to be downtown when it was nice out. We took the Metra down and walked around to see a few different things. We saw the Bean and Crown Fountain at Millennium Park, Navy Pier and a few other things along the way. As we were walking we crossed paths with this...

...a "Segway Tour."

Now, I have always made fun of these things, and those that ride them. But, I will admit, that it is a nice way to see a city. It requires less walking obviously, so therefore less energy. And on a hot summer day, that could be pretty nice. But what I don't understand is the helmets. I mean honestly, you go maybe 5 mph tops, so why the helmets? I see people riding through, and against, the crazy downtown traffic at 20 mph on bikes without helmets on. Granted, I don't think that is the smartest thing, but a helmet on a Segway...?! How often do you even hear of someone getting in an accident on one of those things, let alone injuring themselves. I guess you do have those people out there that are so uncoordinated and lacking in the common sense part of life, that when they are on it and it starts to fall over they don't think that if they just step off they will be ok. Hmmm... maybe the helmet is needed then because it seems the only people that do ride those things are those that don't have that kind of common sense and coordination.