Post by Deleted on Oct 15, 2015 8:38:12 GMT
You may have seen a 'hoverboard' scooter on a pavement near you recently. You may have even got a bit annoyed, as it can be a bit obnoxious having one scoot by you at pace while you're, you know, walking. Which is kind of what pavements are meant for, after all.
Well, it's good news as hoverboards are actually illegal to ride in public in the UK, according to new guidances released by the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS).
Although they look like low-rent hoverboards, these new gizmos are actually classed as self-balancing scooters - and the CPS has a problem with that. Why? It's kind of a legal loophole, albeit one that gets rid of a major public nuisance. Basically, as a self-balancing scooter, they fall under the same brolly as Segways, meaning that they're motor vehicles so can't be ridden on pavements, but nor are they licensed, so aren't allowed to go on public roads either (following a 2011 ruling).
So what's a person to do with an ironic self-balancing scooter and nowhere to ride it? Well, the CPS recommends you only use them on "private property and with the landowner's permission" - great news for those of us easily frustrated by the lame-looking hoverboards, but probably quite devastating for anyone that's just spent a fortune on one.
For those arguing that e-bikes aren't being banned, the CPS explains that there's actually a big difference between the two aside from their looks:
However, upon learning that the use of ‘hoverboards’ is illegal on the pavement, there have been calls to lock up the sort of arseholes that use them and throw away the key.
The ridiculous looking contraptions have gained in popularity in recent months, and have forced authorities to clarify their legal standing.
Pedestrian Sheldon Williams said, “I’ve always believed that life sentences should be reserved for murderers and sexual predators, but frankly having someone whizz past me on a hoverboard has changed my mind.”
“Life in prison is almost too good for them.”
“If they happen to be using a phone at the same time then I’d advocate a return to capital punishment.”
Hoverboard fanatic Spencer Matthews said he felt the unfair persecution of hoverboard users was halting the progress of eco-friendly personal transportation technology on our streets.
He told us, “Plus they look cool. Mine has blue lights and everything. I make ‘vroom vroom’ noises as I go around the streets, I really feel ten again and surely that’s not even remotely annoying.”
Well, it's good news as hoverboards are actually illegal to ride in public in the UK, according to new guidances released by the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS).
Although they look like low-rent hoverboards, these new gizmos are actually classed as self-balancing scooters - and the CPS has a problem with that. Why? It's kind of a legal loophole, albeit one that gets rid of a major public nuisance. Basically, as a self-balancing scooter, they fall under the same brolly as Segways, meaning that they're motor vehicles so can't be ridden on pavements, but nor are they licensed, so aren't allowed to go on public roads either (following a 2011 ruling).
So what's a person to do with an ironic self-balancing scooter and nowhere to ride it? Well, the CPS recommends you only use them on "private property and with the landowner's permission" - great news for those of us easily frustrated by the lame-looking hoverboards, but probably quite devastating for anyone that's just spent a fortune on one.
For those arguing that e-bikes aren't being banned, the CPS explains that there's actually a big difference between the two aside from their looks:
"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."
However, upon learning that the use of ‘hoverboards’ is illegal on the pavement, there have been calls to lock up the sort of arseholes that use them and throw away the key.
The ridiculous looking contraptions have gained in popularity in recent months, and have forced authorities to clarify their legal standing.
Pedestrian Sheldon Williams said, “I’ve always believed that life sentences should be reserved for murderers and sexual predators, but frankly having someone whizz past me on a hoverboard has changed my mind.”
“Life in prison is almost too good for them.”
“If they happen to be using a phone at the same time then I’d advocate a return to capital punishment.”
Hoverboard fanatic Spencer Matthews said he felt the unfair persecution of hoverboard users was halting the progress of eco-friendly personal transportation technology on our streets.
He told us, “Plus they look cool. Mine has blue lights and everything. I make ‘vroom vroom’ noises as I go around the streets, I really feel ten again and surely that’s not even remotely annoying.”
