Atlanta is the first city to give the scooters a broad tryout, according to Segway officials. Georgia Power Co. and the city planning commission bought two each, and tourism officers who walk around downtown will share six.
Some critics have questioned whether Segways, which were designed for sidewalks, should mingle with pedestrians or be limited to bike paths and streets.
The Georgia Legislature passed laws limiting Segway speeds to 7 mph on sidewalks and 15 mph on roads, where riders will be required to wear a helmet. The vehicles can reach 15 mph in short bursts to help in pursuits.
How the scooters will hold up on the unforgiving streets of Atlanta, where tooth-jarring potholes sometimes go unfilled for months, remains to be seen. Police were put through an obstacle course as part of their Segway training.
"It just went right through everything," Officer Jennings Kilgore said. "It'll go about as fast as the normal person can run. It's a pretty good clip."