Where are Hoverboards Banned? [Sidewalks? Colleges? Malls?]

Hoverboards were on everyone’s most-wanted list during the 2015 holiday season before a series of fires and explosions causes some serious safety concerns for consumers.

Luckily, rigorous standards were put into place that now regulates these personal transportation devices and eliminates fire, explosion, and electrical hazards.

But, even with safety standards in effect, there are still some places that you can’t have a hoverboard.

There are neighborhoods, cities, countries, businesses, and attractions who have all banned the hands-free segway from being used on the premises.

Here is a list of where hoverboards are banned to use, as well as resources to help you research the laws and regulations in your area.

Contents

1 Airlines
2 Colleges
3 Malls
4 Stadiums
5 Theme Parks
6 Streets and Sidewalks in Major Cities and States
7 Countries

Airlines

Due to concerns about fire and explosion hazards associated with the device, over 60 different airlines have banned hoverboards from aircraft carriers. The main cause for concern is the size of the lithium battery that powers the board, and although safety standards have been established, most airlines aren’t budging on their no-board policy.

Colleges

If you want to use your personal eMobile device to travel around campus, you’ll want to make sure that your institution isn’t one of the over 30 nationwide who has a policy banning them. Some universities have partial bans and allow them to certain parts of campus, while others don’t allow the hands-free Segway on the property at all.

Check the student handbook at your college for particulars on your campus.

Malls

Many malls and shopping centers around the country and around the world have instituted a no hoverboard policy. Along similar lines to not allowing skateboards or bicycles inside the center, the ban is for customer safety on the property.

Stadiums

While a hoverboard might seem like a great alternative to hiking up to the nose bleed seats at the stadium, many professional sports teams won’t allow them on the property. While many of the bans relate directly to the players on the teams, it’s still a good idea to call the arena ahead of time to make sure that they will let you through the gate with your self-propelled board.

Theme Parks

When entertainment giant, Disney, made the decision to ban Segways and hoverboards from their parks, other theme parks quickly followed suit. Self-propelled two-wheeled devices aren’t allowed at Sea World, Busch Gardens, Legoland, and other popular tourist destinations in the US and abroad. If you are using your hoverboard because of mobility constraints, contact the park ahead of time to inquire about a scooter or wheelchair rental for the day.

Streets and Sidewalks in Major Cities and States

Since becoming popular, many major cities have banned hoverboards from being used in public. Most notably, in New York City, you can only use hoverboards in your home. If you’re caught riding one in public, you could be subject to up to a $500 fine. Another city that doesn’t allow the hands-free segway on the streets is Lewiston, Maine. Regulators decided to ban the devices after seeing the viral video of Mike Tyson falling off his board which caused safety concerns.

Other cities or states have specific regulations or partial bans on hoverboards. For example, in California you can ride your hoverboard on the street if you’re over the age of 16, sober, and wear a helmet. If you violate any of those conditions, it could cost you up to $250 in a fine.

Countries

There are several countries who impose an all-out ban on hoverboards. Among them are:

United Kingdom

In accordance with section 72 of the United Kingdom’s Highway Act 1835, personal transportation devices like a hands-free segway classify as a motor vehicle and are therefore subject to road traffic laws.
This means that not only would you need a license and registration to ride one on public roads, and they would need to comply with minimum and maximum posted speed limits.
As they are considered a motor vehicle, you also could not legally ride your self-balancing vehicle on the sidewalk.
If you’re caught, you could be fined up to 500 British pounds, or around $650 US.

Netherlands

Citing similar rationale to the ban in the UK, the Netherlands instituted their own ban in 2015.

Hong Kong/China

On streets throughout Hong Kong, and in other areas of China, hoverboards are outlawed.
Violators could be fined up to HK$5000, or around $650 USD.
Luckily, you can still legally ride your personal eMobile device indoors in the country.

Australia

Throughout Australia, including in Sydney, New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, and Western Australia, there are various degrees of hoverboard bans in place.
Some states allow the boards to be ridden in public, while others have laws prohibiting them all together.
Fines can vary from between $600 USD to $2100 USD depending on the area and the infraction.
Check with the local department of transportation for rules specific to your neighborhood.

While these are the highlights of important hoverboard bans to be aware of, this list isn’t all-inclusive. Many densely-populated areas across the globe have rules in place that prohibit people from riding hoverboards, as well as skateboards, bicycles, or roller skates on the premises.

Also, tourist attractions like parades or historical landmarks may have rules against riding a self-propelled device on the property.

If you want to bring your hoverboard along on a trip or an outing with the family, it’s best to do research online or call ahead to the venue to confirm that it won’t be a problem. Not only can you get slapped with a fine for riding somewhere prohibited, but if you’re somewhere like at a Disney park, the staff may also have the right to confiscate your hoverboard from you. Double checking will save you the expense of a ticket, and the hassle of having to try to reclaim your eMobility device at the end of the ordeal.