Insider staff
Are you one of the millions of Americans who has severe cattle allergies but also a need for speed?
Well look no further than the Steeplegate Mall to get your fix.
If you’re walking through the mall, pay attention to the middle of the aisle. You’ll find a stable of four adorable animals that have handlebars coming out of their necks. No, you’re not hallucinating, you’re just looking at the resting spot of Animal Rides, the coolest and most fun way to get around the mall.
The name is fairly self-explanatory – these are animals you can ride, and you can do it in the mall. They’re not real animals as in they don’t breathe or anything, but they are real as in they exist.
There are four beasts to choose from: a cow, elephant, dog and zebra. They’ve been running for about six months now. The dog is the most popular, but we wanted to try the cow with its out-stuck tongue.
These electric ride-on animals have a weight limit of about 300 pounds, and they go a little faster than most people’s brisk walking pace. The controls are very simple – one button by the right thumb applies throttle, and the handlebars work just like the ones on a bike.
There are no brakes, but who needs brakes?
These things handle like a dream – the turning circle is about as tight as that of a Razor scooter. You remember those? And you won’t miss the brakes, because releasing the throttle will bring you to a stop in about 3 feet.
They’re not blazing fast, but you get the sense that you’re moving right along. Nothing better than driving on a smooth, tiled mall floor – even if the gaps between each tile every foot are annoying.
The rules are pretty simple, too: keep your cow out of the stores. Other than that, you can ride anywhere in the mall.
Heck, bring a friend and find a not-so-busy spot to try to answer the age-old question: Who’s faster, the zebra or the elephant?
These rides are obviously meant for kids, but that doesn’t mean grown-ups can’t get in on the fun, too. After all, we did (although our classification as grown-ups is questionable at best).
Just don’t get too crazy – after all, it is a mall that’s open for business, and most people probably don’t want to get run over by an electric zebra while shopping for linens.
You can get a five-minute ride for $5, 15 minutes for $10 or 30 minutes for $15 – most people opt for the 15-minute block. Our guess is that you’ll be going back for seconds no matter which option you choose. We certainly would have, if we didn’t have this whole work thing to worry about.
