‘Hoverboard’ scooters are illegal in public say CPS

The popular vehicles – an evolution of the Segway device – cost around £300 each and have been spotted being used by celebrities and premier league footballers.

The scooters don’t actually “hover” but are rather like an electric skateboard that the user leans backwards and forwards to control.

Although rules regarding the scooters haven’t changed, the surge in popularity prompted the Met police to tweet on Sunday clarifying the law.

Own one of these or thinking about getting one? They’re illegal to ride in public! Info here: http://t.co/We85yLAzsU pic.twitter.com/vMm0hxNAjs

— MPS Specials (@MPSSpecials) October 11, 2015

The self-balancing scooters are not licensed vehicles and so are not legal for road use. But under section 72 of the Highway Act 1835 they are also considered too dangerous to ride on the pavement.

As a result, the only legal place to ride the scooter is on private property with the landowner’s permission.

“The Department for Transport would advise that appropriate safety clothing should be worn at all times,” reads the CPS advice.

The legal guidance seems to have had little effect on the popularity of the hoverboards though. In September, a viral video showed a man riding whilst performing the tawaf ritual of walking round Islam’s sacred Ka’bah shrine.

In August, rapper Wiz Khalifa was handcuffed by authorities at Los Angeles’ LAX airport after refusing to disembark his hoverboard.

3 cops yell stop resisting. Only thing to do is let em know. I’m not resisting, I’m doin what I want.

A video posted by Wiz Khalifa (@mistercap) on Aug 22, 2015 at 5:36pm PDT