Hoverboards, Prohibited in New York

Technology has a lot to offer that could change the world.  From smartphones to smart watches, people are now raving about hoverboards. 

According to CNN Money, New York City Police Department and the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles stated that the motorized self-balancing scooters are illegal to use openly as they are only considered "electric personal assistive mobility devices."

Since last year, the self-balancing scooters have gained tremendous popularity and has been listed as number 1 on Amazon's Best Sellers list on the site's Sports and Outdoors section. There are hundreds of models of hover boards, ranging from about $200 to $2,000. And it became as fashion icon after many celebrities, including Wiz Khalifa, Justin Bieber, and Lily Allen has been spotted using them.T

These hoverboards, which are widely being used globally are not the same as used by Marty McFly in "Back to the Future II". People have given two-wheeled, self-balancing scooters the name that look like they are little more than boards with wheels.

As reported by Gothamist, the NYPD's 26th Precinct tweeted earlier this week, "Be advised that the electric hoverboard is illegal as per NYC Admin Code 9-176.2."

But according to the code mentioned, hoverboards doesn't seem to be illegal.

As it says, "For purposes of this section, the term 'motorized scooter' shall mean any wheeled device that has handlebars..." but hoverboards do not have handlebars.

"For the purposes of this section, the term 'motorized scooter' shall not include electric powered devices not capable of exceeding fifteen miles per hour..." and the hoverboards  have a max speed of around 6 MPH. So these statements are contradicting the new law regarding hoverboards considered illegal, and have led to public confusion.

"They are not considered motor vehicles so they cannot be registered," a DMV spokeswoman told CNNMoney. "According to state law, a first violation shall result in no fine. A second or subsequent violation shall result in a civil fine not to exceed $50."

According to Eyewitness News, in New York, other unregistered vehicles includes mini bikes, off-road motorcycles, go-karts, golf carts and motor-assisted bicycles. Despite the fact that "hoverboards" aren't on that list, the city's transportation department on Wednesday, marked Segways and "hoverboards," as illegal too.

Telegraph mentioned that New York is not the only place which prohibited the use of these scooters; U.K. banned the public use of it too. Some tried to strike back against the prohibition as one man created a 'hover box'  "allow users to ride without the unwanted attention.".