By now, we have all seen someone riding on those self-balancing electric boards that look like they came straight out of Back to the Future II — whether your sighting was at a local park, down the city streets, on a celebrity's social media account or after watching that awesome Justin Bieber dance routine.
However, many probably don't know that riding these "hoverboards" on both the roads and pavements is illegal in the UK.
MPS Specials sent a tweet on Sunday night that warned that people cannot ride hoverboards in public, and included a link from the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) about "Segway Guidance From The Department of Transport."
Own one of these or thinking about getting one? They're illegal to ride in public! Info here: https://t.co/We85yLAzsU pic.twitter.com/vMm0hxNAjs
— MPS Specials (@MPSSpecials) October 11, 2015
According to the guidelines, people can only ride Segways (a two-wheeled, self-balancing scooter powered by electric motors) or hoverboards on their own private property, such as in their backyard, and not on public roads or sidewalks.
This is not a new ban, rather, it is part of the Highway Act of 1835 that says riding or driving a vehicle on pavement is unsafe. However, the law only applies in England and Wales, although Scotland has a similar law, the Roads Act of 1984. The guidelines were added to the law with the rise of the popular Segway, which can go as fast as 12.5 mph. Airwheel AirBoard, in comparison, can reach speeds of 10 mph.
MPS Specials made further clarifications on Twitter, saying the same rule applies to Segways and other hoverboard-like vehicles since they are "technically motor vehicles," meaning they have to be registered, licensed and insured in order to ride them on roads and pavements.
The restrictions prevent users from riding the hoverboard in bike lanes too, even though people are allowed to ride electric bikes in specific bike lanes. This is because electric bikes have their own guidelines, and since you can't manually ride the hoverboard like a skateboard, they are banned from the street.
It's not clear what the penalty is for breaking the law, since no one has been arrested for riding one in London; however, a man was previously fined for riding a Segway in public in South Yorkshire. He paid $115, plus extra fees.
Via: Business Insider
Photo: Soar Boards
