Hoverboards are hands down one of the hottest items on the market right now. Who doesn't want to channel their inner Marty McFly and cruise down the street on the self-balancing scooters in style?
Chances are you will probably be adding a hoverboard to your holiday wish list, but we should probably warn you that this might not be the best idea if you live in New York.
The New York Police Department's 26th precinct sent a tweet on Monday announcing that electric hoverboards are illegal.
The precinct, which covers Morningside Heights and parts of West Harlem, said that motorized self-balancing boards are banned as part of NYC Admin code 19-176.2.
However, the NYPD later deleted the tweet, which has since lead to some confusion on whether or not you can ride the toys/modes of transportation in New York or not.
Some have pointed out that the code only referred to motorized wheeled devices with handlebars that travel at speeds of more than 15 mph. Hoverboards obviously don't have handles, and can only go as fast as 6 mph.
But just because the NYPD deleted the tweet doesn't mean that some law doesn't already exist. The Daily News reports that the tweet was deleted because it featured the wrong code.
And technically, hoverboards haven't just been banned, they have always been banned from being used on public streets, sidewalks, highways and parking lots.
The ban is part of the pre-existing New York State Vehicle and Traffic Law, Article 14, sections 401-a and 401b that prohibits Segways and other motorized vehicles (like hoverboards) because they cannot be registered at the Department of Motor Vehicles.
Those who still go to and fro on their hoverboards in New York and get caught may face fines up to $500.
It may sound like New York is going all Footloose on us, banning something as silly as riding—or the ability to dance on these toys in public—but these rules are actually for the safety of pedestrians. And trust us, tourists, you don't want angry New Yorkers potentially mowing you down when you stop every second to ooh and ahh at the buildings and take your selfies.
At least New Yorkers can still enjoy their new toys at home or at the park.
New York isn't the only place where its illegal to ride hoverboards in public. The U.K. recently clarified its laws to include hoverboards to its list of banned motorized vehicles in public roads.
Source: Mashable
Photo: Ben Larcey | Flickr
