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2015 05 18 15.20.00

We tried it: Reykjavík on 2 Wheels

By: Catharine
Last Updated: 16/07/2024

Welcome to We Tried It, our series in which the staff at Nordic Visitor venture out of the office to personally try one of the optional tours we recommend to our travellers. 

For today's installation, Nordic visitor's Marketing department spent an afternoon exploring Reykjavík on two wheels. Before you go thinking we opted for plain 'ole bikes, think again! We rolled through town in style on a pack of Segways.

Reykjavík Segway Tour
Jessica, from Nordic Visitor's marketing team, learning the ropes of piloting a Segway.

 

First, a little something about the Segway PT: a Segway is a two-wheeled personal transporter (PT) that uses a computer, sensors and motors to propel and steer it based on how the rider shifts their weight. Want to go forward? Lean forward. Want to go faster? Lean forward a little more. Need to turn right? You guessed it - lean right. 

Of the six Nordic Visitor employees who tried their hand at piloting a Segway, just one had prior experience (more than a decade ago, which goes to show you that the old adage about riding a bike holds true with a Segway, as well) but we all caught on very quickly.

It's an odd sensation at first, almost like stepping onto a balance board at the gym, but even the slightest shift of weight will make that board move in one direction or another.

But, with the patience and support of our friendly tour guide, everybody was taught to control their Segway and demonstrated that they could do so safely through a series of exercises at their depot in the old harbour.

Then we were off!

The tour took us from Reykjavík's old harbour along the seafront to the Sun Voyager, where we learned about the local landmark and enjoyed the view.

 

Sun Voyager - Dagur Jonsson 500px
The Sun Voyager sculpture is a must-see along reykjavík's seashore. (Photo: Dagur Jónsson)

 

Next we paid a visit to Höfði, the historical house where U.S. President Ronald Reagan and Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev met in 1986 to work toward ending the Cold War. It also has a long history of being haunted... BOO!

Iceland - Höfði House in Reykjavik
Höfði House is a beautiful feature along Reykjavíks sea front.

 

Other stops along our 2-hour Segway journey included Laugardalur park and the Ásmundur Sveinsson Museum, all the while learning about the sites and attractions of the beautiful Icelandic capital.

One highlight of the trip was cruising down Laugavegur — Reykjavík's main commercial street — feeling simultaneously like the coolest people and biggest nerds on Earth. Yours truly even shared a knowing nod with a fellow two-wheeled rebel... though his wheels were in the form of a Harley Davidson and he was leather-clad, rather than sporting the neon safety vest doled out by Reykjavík Bike Tours. Still, it was a poignant moment of camaraderie.

Segway tour in Reykjavik

 

As a Reykjavík local who generally gets everywhere on two feet, it was really impressive how much ground could be covered on a Segway. This is definitely a great way to see the city!

So, there you go. We tried it!


Segway tours like this, and many other unique experiences, can be added as optional activities to Nordic Visitor's Iceland travel packages

Get in touch so we can create the perfect travel experience for you!

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Post by: Catharine

Catharine Fulton is a journalist and travel writer. Though born and raised in Canada, she found herself stuck in the Nordic region since moving to Finland in 2007 to pursue her MA and then migrating to Reykjavík, Iceland in 2009, where she lives with her Icelandic husband and tries (albeit unsuccessfully) to master the Icelandic language.

More posts by Catharine