Hoverboards have caused quite a stir with their popularity: first, they became so common in busy cities that the legislators banned them from the sidewalks. Then, with some poorly manufactured units causing fires, there were bans on shipments.
It’s not easy to understand exactly what’s going on, so we’ve tried to compile a list of hoverboard legislation around the world. The aim of this article is to answer common questions such as “where can I ride my hoverboard?”, “which airlines permit hoverboards?” and “which colleges have banned hoverboards?”
Read on to find out.
Which Cities Have Banned Hoverboards?
Some cities have banned hoverboards on their streets and sidewalks. The rationale is that, in a crowd, someone using a hoverboard might fall and injure somebody else. We think this is probably a good idea for cities which tend to have a large quantity of people walking such as NYC and London, UK.
New York
The Big Apple has banned hoverboards. Though some, like Senator Jose Peralta from Queens, are trying to get hoverboards removed from the category of “motorized vehicles”, in which hoverboards currently reside. If you’re caught using your hoverboard on the streets of NYC, you may end up having to pay a $500 fine.
Fine of $500.
United Kingdom
London, UK has been the first city to ban hoverboards in its streets, but the ban doesn’t seem to be really enforced so far.
According to UK law, hoverboards are motor vehicles, so they’re illegal to ride on pavements. But, because they’re not licensed, they’re also illegal to ride on the street. So, you can only ride your hoverboard on private property.
Highway Act 1835, which bans riding vehicles on the pavement, says that offenders can be fined up to £500 plus any damage that they do while riding. The only recorded fine was given to a 51 year old man for riding his hoverboard on the pavement, and it amounted to £340.
Fine of up to £500.
California
California has just enacted a new law (AB 604) which has become effective since January 1st, 2016. The new legislation defines a new legal category: “electrically motorized boards”. They must move no faster than 20mph, carry only one person, and be no bigger than 60 by 18 inches. The law allows you to ride your hoverboard on public streets with a speed limit of 35mph or lower, provided you’re over 16, sober, and wearing a helmet. Not respecting the new regulations can cost you up to $250.
Fine of $250.
Netherlands
It’s now illegal to ride your hoverboard on streets and pavements in the Netherlands. We couldn’t find any information regarding any fines.
Hong Kong
Hong Kong has banned hoverboards on streets and pavements, but they’re in the process of reviewing the ban. You may incur in a fine of HK$5,000 (roughly $644).
Fine of HK$5,000 (~$644).
New South Wales, Australia
NSW has banned hoverboards on its roads. The fine for violators is up to AUD$900 (around $630).
Fine of AUD$900 (~$630).
Which Schools, Colleges and Universities Have Banned Hoverboards?
Some colleges have banned hoverboards on their grounds. Some of them, have banned hoverboards in dormitories exclusively. This is following the danger of fires caused by poorly manufactured hoverboards’ batteries being overcharged during the night, and igniting. (to know more, read our article about the hoverboard fires here).
Alabama
Auburn University
University of Alabama
University of Montevallo
Arkansas
University of Arkansas
Atlanta
Georgia Institute of Technology
California
Santa Clara University
Colorado
Adams State University
University of Colorado, Boulder
Connecticut
Quinnipiac University
Sacred Heart University
University of Bridgepor
University of Hartford
University of New Haven
Florida
University of Central Florida
Georgia
Columbus State University
University of North Georgia
Illinois
Eastern Illinois University
University of Illinois
Indiana
Ball State University
Purdue University
Iowa
University of Iowa
Kentucky
University of Kentucky
Louisiana
Louisiana State University
Southeastern Louisiana University
University of Louisiana
Maine
Bates College
Massachusetts
University of Massachusetts, Amherst
University of Massachusetts, Dartmouth
West Bridgewater High School
Williams College
Missouri
University of Missouri
New Jersey
Kean University
Seton Hall University
New Mexico
University of New Mexico
North Carolina
North Carolina Central University, Durham
University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill
University of North Carolina, Wilmington
Ohio
Case Western Reserve University
Ohio State
Shawnee State University
University of Findlay
Oklahoma
Oklahoma State University
Oregon
Oregon State University
Pennsylvania
Elizabethtown College
Lebanon Valley College
Millersville University
Robert Morris University
Rhode Island
Salve Regina University
South Carolina
University of South Carolina
Winthrop Univeristy
Tennessee
Vanderbilt University
Texas
School District, Frisco
Virginia
Christopher Newport University
College of William and Mary
James Madison University
Washington
American University, Washington D.C.
George Washington University
Washington State University
Wisconsin
University of Wisconsin, Madison (legal to own, illegal to ride)
Wyoming
University of Wyoming
Which Airlines Have Banned Hoverboards?
All US airlines have banned hoverboards because of the safety concerns over the fires. While a little drastic, it’s completely understandable: you wouldn’t wanna have a high-powered lithium-ion battery catch fire while cruising at 35,000 feet, would you?
So be warned, before you get to the airport and you’re forced to leave your hoverboard behind like Russell Crowe’s kids.
Which Airports Have Banned Hoverboards?
Because it’s illegal to fly your hoverboard, we don’t see why you would take one to the airport, but only one airport has explicitly banned hoverboards on their premises:
Minneapolis St. Paul International Airport in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Which Malls Have Banned Hoverboards?
While we’re sure that no mall security guard enjoys having people on hoverboards gliding around, only a few malls have come out and banned hoverboards outright.
Humble, Texas
Deerbrook Mall has banned hoverboards after one caught fire on December 28th, 2015 on its premises.
Dubai malls
It’s illegal to ride your hoverboard inside malls in Dubai. Doing so could cost you a modest fine of 200 Dirham (around $54).
Fine of Dh200 (~$54).
Other Places that Have Banned Hoverboards
There are some other specific places where you can’t ride your hoverboard.
Los Angeles, California
Hoverboards are banned on Metrolink Trains. There’s no fine, but you may be asked to exit the train.
Disney Parks
Disney has banned all motorized scooters and drones from their parks around the world.
Cleveland, Ohio
Quicken Loans Arena has banned hoverboards after some Cavs team members started using them to cruise around its halls.
In Conclusion
As hoverboards become more and more popular, we expect to see more cities and entities clarifying their stance on the hottest new gadget. We hope you enjoyed the article, and make sure to contact us if you have evidence of some new legislation not included in the article!
If you’re looking to buy a hoverboard, instead, check out our awesome Buying Guide!
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