Gliding Revolution

Gliding Revolution

By Kelsey Wilkinson Friday, 11 September 2009

Like a futuristic device lifted straight from “The Jetsons” cartoon, Segways have been spotted cruising down Congress Avenue and circling the sidewalks of the Capitol building. The electric-powered, standing scooters, are the modern way to take in the city sights, and one Austin enthusiast has managed to turn the vehicles into a successful business.

Shay Reynolds started the downtown Austin touring service, Gliding Revolution, five years ago when Segways were virtually unknown to the public. He was inspired after taking a ride with his uncle, who operated one of only 10 or 12 Segway tourism businesses in the country.

Reynolds said the Segway ride with his uncle made such an impact that he immediately bought five of the scooters for himself. Soon he was hanging around hotels, offering rides to Austin visitors. It wasn’t long before his phone was ringing off the hook with people requesting his services.

“I had no idea about my vision and what it was going to amount to today,” Reynolds said of starting the business.

Today Gliding Revolution has found a permanent home based out of the Holiday Inn on the north bank of Lady Bird Lake. Reynolds now owns 20 Segway scooters and routinely leads riders past downtown landmarks and east side focal points.

“I’ve heard kids compare it to Disney Land on more than one occasion,” said Reynolds of the tours, which are filled with little-known Texas facts and mini history lessons. “It constantly engages a child,” he said.

The tours are not just for out-of-towners; lifelong Austin residents also strap on helmets and climb aboard the earth-friendly scooters to take in the city’s notable sights.

The business model was so successful that, in 2008, Reynolds decided to offer bike excursions and kayak rentals.

Jason Edmonson, Reynolds’ childhood friend, oversees the cycling part of the business. Together, they and eight other employees collaborate to make each of Gliding Revolution’s services a unique experience.

“The bike tours are more scenic than informative,” Edmonson said. “We stop at lots of picture spots along the lake, and people come back with big smiles on their faces.”

Reynolds also wants to focus more heavily on Segway team-building exercises. Some of the area’s biggest businesses, like Dell Inc., use Gliding Revolution’s team-building exercises on a regular basis.

Reynolds plans to open touring businesses in resorts across Central Texas. First on his radar are the Hyatt Regency Lost Pines Resort in Bastrop and the Hyatt Regency Hill Country Resort in San Antonio. Soon Gliding Revolution’s Segways will be traveling along nature trails outside of Austin.

Gliding Revolution, Holiday Inn, 20 N. IH 35, 495-9250, www.glidingrevolution.com