For a period of time, the hoverboard seemed like the newest way to get around New York City. The portable, two-wheeled contraption was being sold everywhere, and non-drivers were using it to quickly zoom from one location to another.
Unfortunately, the NYC Department of Transportation isn’t as fond of the device.
Very much like the segway, the hoverboard is considered to be motor vehicle that cannot be registered with the DMV. So while they aren’t illegal to own, they are illegal to operate in New York City.
The Metropolitan Transportation Authority has made that fact known with its newest ad campaign, which explicitly states that hoverboards are not allowed on any of the city’s buses or trains, including the Metro North and LIRR. Anyone caught using the vehicle will be fined $500.
According to the MTA, the devices have a tendency to explode or catch on fire, posing a safety risk to commuters and city residents.
