Newest Christmas Gift Craze - Hoverboards....just curious...

[design_mom]

My kids have not asked for one, but a neighbor has one. The risk of fire concerns me, but riding doesn't look more dangerous to me than several other toys.

However our city just posted a "reminder" on their Facebook page that due to city ordinance, hover boards are prohibited from city sidewalks, bike paths, and roadways. Where does that leave to ride them? Your driveway? That sounds like fun... For about 10 minutes.

(Just read the actual ordinance: Apparently the city categorizes hover boards as motor vehicles. Electric scooters also are banned from sidewalks, etc... But I haven't seen any enforcement of that. Those electric scooters are popular around here, and freely ridden on sidewalks.)

 

[kimmar067]

....sounds like a double-standard.

 

[Tinkermommy]

Well some of the major airlines have banned them and the feds are investigating.

I would research these carefully as they have burned down homes.

 

[Snowflakey]

My DD who is 19 will be getting one!! I can't wait. Not worried about the learning curve as she grew up on mini bikes, snowmobiles and what have you. I can't wait until Christmas morning

 

[LynnTH]

DS16 and DD14 ordered one in October from Amazon. (it was the cheapest). It is coming from China. Was supposed to have arrived by now but it hasn't. After all the stuff on the news regarding these I had already decided that it was going to be sent back - don't need the house starting on fire. (not worried about them using it). So, I contacted Amazon and the lady started a claim for me she says pretty sure it will be settled soon and money will be refunded and she doubt if it will actually show up at all. DD14 tried contacting the seller over a week ago and no response. At least it is through Amazon and they have great customer service. I know the kids are disappointed but not taking any chances with these.

 

[wilkeliza]

I have to imagine there are going to be a lot of upset kids at Christmas this year. Amazon has pulled a lot of these off their market and today the USPS said they will not send these by air so they have to go by cargo ship.

 

[bellebud]

ds14 got one over the summer. his is a Monorover. I recently got an email from Amazon saying if we want to return it, we can. Then I got an email from the seller (Sharkoo), saying theirs is safe, but we can return it. Don't know how comfortable I am keeping it. As far as riding it, all the teens/kids that have tried it got the hang of riding it pretty quickly… the adults a little longer (I still go really slow on it). It's awesome as far as riding it around, and I can see where this could replace segways in many areas, so much smaller. I saw one recently with a stick to hold onto, which is really great. They just have to figure out the battery thing of course.