A new bill introduced in the New Jersey Legislature would limit the speed of the popular hoverboard as well as add monetary penalties for underage riders.
Officially described as a “two-wheeled, self-balancing electric skateboard,” but more commonly known as a “hoverboard,” the bill would limit the speed to no more than 10 miles per hour, significantly less than the current speed of 20mph many hoverboards are able to reach.
The bill also requires a person riding a hoverboard to wear a properly fitted and fastened helmet and to be at least 16 years of age.
A person under the age of 16 riding a hoverboard would be in violation of the bill’s provisions and the parent or legal guardian of the violator may be fined a maximum of $25 for a first offense and a maximum of $100 for each subsequent offense.
In addition to the requirements under current law, a business selling or renting motorized skateboards would be required to post a sign at the point where the sale or rental transaction is completed with new law clearly spelled out.
A report released by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has found that emergency room (ER)-treated injuries and deaths associated with these products are also increasing, with a 127 percent spike in injuries to 77,200 for micromobility devices between 2017 and 2021.
Hoverboards are already restricted from being brought on airplanes; several airlines, including American, Delta and United, have banned the devices on flights, even in checked luggage. The Federal Aviation Administration has noted that the high-wattage lithium batteries hoverboards use can spark fires in the baggage compartments of planes.
The bill has been referred to the Assembly Consumer Affairs Committee.
I am more concerned about the kids speeding on electric scooters disregarding any rules on road and if god forbid gets hit you know who’s fault it would be…!!!!!!!!!
these are no different than cars and should be treated likewise with licenses registration insurance and a required educational course and they should have lights and signals,
this situation spiraled out of control and a comprehensive plan needs to be adopted by the folks in Trenton covering all of the issues.
As a non-native of New Jersey I am shocked (& appalled) that the New Jersey govt has never found an issue or item it didn’t feel the need to regulate.
The only law the govt is discussing which I agree with is the requirement to install a bottle of hand sanitizer under every Mezuzah to reduce the spread of germs. If passed the local police will go door to door checking every Mezuzah & writing $50 tickets for every missing or empty bottle of hand sanitizer
100%
This is yet another bill that will not only be unrealistic to enforce, but make it harder for kids to get around.
New methods of micro mobility will always be challenged. This bill is not the first, nor will it be the last, of its kind.
We need to keep innovating without fear of bills like these which are in my opinion a waste of time and resources.
But these same under 16s will still be able to get themselves surgically mutilated if they are brainwashed into believing they are a different gender than the reality.
Tell these bureaucrats to focus on their REAL job and leave these kids alone..