NSW Crushes Christmas Dreams, Reminds Hoverboarders Of Huge Fines & Bans


Hoverboards are essentially just Segways without handles, but they’ve managed to become an actual thing. They light up! They spin! They look like sideways RipStiks

Regardless, if you’re one of the few people on the planet with enough disposable income to permanently avoid the Plebeian drudgery of, ugh, walking, a hoverboard is basically the answer to all of your transportation prayers. 

Of course, New South Wales‘ Minister for Roads Duncan Gay sees your attempts to permanently distance your feet from the floor, and the Minister straight up doesn’t care. In a statement released today, Gay reminded would-be hoverboarders that riding them on footpaths carries a $319 fine. 
If you’re caught riding one on the road, double that figure for a fat $637 dent in ya wallet. 
“Hoverboards are the hot ticket item on many Christmas wishlists… I don’t want to be the Christmas Grinch, but I want people to know and send a message that these new toys have real safety concerns,” Gay said. 
And just like that, a thousand high-velocity dreams cried out in terror before before being silenced. 
Hoverboards are a bit of a mongrel regulation-wise, and the state is working how to classify them under current laws. They’re not up for registration, and they don’t enjoy the same freedoms bikes do. So, if roads and sidewalks are off-limits, where is the poor hoverboarder to do? 
For the moment, the answer seems to be emulating Missy Elliott by forming a back-alley hoverboard dance crew. It’s the only logical choice.
Story via Sky News. 
Image: Christopher Furlong via Getty. 

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