Police say hoverboards are ILLEGAL, send sales SURGING out of control

The hoverboard craze is sweeping the nation

MORE people than ever are buying the must-have Christmas gadget – despite not being able to ride it in public.

 

Despite a UK-wide ban, the self-balancing scooter – or hoverboard – is set to be the Christmas must-have gadget.

One electrical superstore has reported surging sales following newly-published guidance from the Crown Prosecution Service.

UK retailer ApplicancesDirect.co.uk saw sales rise by 215% in the wake of the CPS announcement.

 

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 increased focus on the legality of riding hoverboards in public has fuelled popularity of the vehicle.

It doesn’t matter whether you’re young or old, the temptation to zip down the street on the tech toy is certainly compelling.

But you might want to think twice before parting with your cash, as current legislation means you won’t be going very far.

 

As it stands hoverboards are not considered road legal and must instead only be used on private property.

The CPS says this is because hoverboards are powered by an electric motor and can’t be pedalled. This distinguishes them from bicycles and the laws that govern their use.

So unless your home boasts a nice strip of green space, or you happen to have access to your own carpark, your hoverboard might actually spend more time in its box.

 

On its official website the CPS has addressed the following frequently asked questions:

 

You won't be able to ride the hoverboard in public

1."I have a self-balancing scooter and I want to ride in on the public road, is it legal for road use?"

No. Vehicles must be approved via ECWVTA or MSVA in order to be licensed and registered.

Self-balancing scooters would not currently meet the requirements of these schemes so are not legal for road use.

2."I have been riding a self-balancing scooter on the public footway (pavement) outside my house, have I committed an offence?"

Yes. It is an offence under section 72 of the Highway Act 1835 to ride or drive a vehicle on the pavement. It is only an offence under this Act in England and Wales.

In Scotland it is an offence under section 129(5) of the Roads (Scotland) Act 1984.

 

3."Where can I ride a self-balancing scooter?"

You can only ride an unregistered self-balancing scooter on land which is private property and with the landowner's permission.

The Department for Transport would advise that appropriate safety clothing should be worn at all times.

 

4."I have seen people using electric bicycles on the road without registration. Why are they permitted but a self-balancing scooter is not?"

Bicycles are covered by different rules to those applying to self balancing scooters.

Electrically Assisted Pedal Cycles must meet the requirements of the Electrically Assisted Pedal Cycles Regulations 1983.

Electrically Assisted Pedal Cycles that conform to these regulations are considered to be pedal cycles and as such are allowed to use cycle facilities such as cycle lanes on the road and cycle tracks away from the road which other powered vehicles are prohibited from using.

A self-balancing scooter does not meet these requirements as it cannot be pedalled.