Hoverboards Again, and Their Uses in Crime.

[JohnCade]

These things seem to be very popular with Fleet Street’s finest nowadays, and now someone has used one to steal a crate of Lucozade of all things…..

Apparently for the first time someone is to be prosecuted for riding one on the pavement, as well as the theft of course. The hack or hackette got it wrong about the law being changed in October though, as we all know it was only reiterated then.


http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2015/dec/14/man-accused-of-stealing-crate-of-lucozade-could-make-uk-legal-history

 

[anotherkiwi]

Amazon has stopped selling them because "of issues with safety".

 

[flecc]

Yes, October this year was slightly out, the law banning them is the Highway Act of 1835. (1984 in Scotland)

I have to admire the guy's skills though, riding one of those things effectively while clutching a whole crate of bottled drinks.
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[flecc]

Amazon has stopped selling them because "of issues with safety".

Not only that, Amazon are being amazingly fair. Without being asked they've been contacting buyers of their hoverboards with a full refund and not requiring return. Instead they are asking them to destroy their hoverboard in the interests of safety.

One at least of their most recent buyers received the refund just before the board even arrived!

Well done Amazon, would that all retailers were so responsible and generous.
.

 

[oldtom]

Well done Amazon, would that all retailers were so responsible and generous.
.

Fair play to them. Credit where it's due!

Tom

 

[Fordulike]

Are they really that dangerous? Anyone on here have any experience of riding one?

 

[Kudoscycles]

Are they really that dangerous? Anyone on here have any experience of riding one?

Yep,they were riding them on the Chinese bike stand next to us at the NEC,one teenage girl stopped abruptly,fell forward and hurt her wrist and face,lots of tears.
KudosDave

 

[flecc]

Are they really that dangerous? Anyone on here have any experience of riding one?

Apart from the one boy we know of who has been killed, they are somewhat less controllable than the Segways which have caused accidents and deaths. The concern is as much or more for the people they run into, rather than the user, in particular the elderly who can't hop quickly out of the way.

I think motorisation is the problem. Roller skates and skateboards can dynamically relate well to an individual's balancing ability and compensating body movements, but the variable motor drive adds a less predictable element.
.

 

[flash]

Are they really that dangerous? Anyone on here have any experience of riding one?

One of the problems with them is overheating whilst charging. With the potential to cause a fire. There have even been reports of one exploding. I presume they use lithium batteries.

http://www.itv.com/news/2015-12-16/hoverboard-safety-fears-what-do-you-need-to-know/


http://mashable.com/2015/12/15/inside-a-swagway-hoverboard/#uoM9zw_MyGqT

 

[Yamdude]

Been hearing it on the news today..... seems like the fire hazzard concern is whats being being reported.

 

[Fordulike]

One of the problems with them is overheating whilst charging. With the potential to cause a fire. There have even been reports of one exploding. I presume they use lithium batteries.

http://www.itv.com/news/2015-12-16/hoverboard-safety-fears-what-do-you-need-to-know/


http://mashable.com/2015/12/15/inside-a-swagway-hoverboard/#uoM9zw_MyGqT

Probably packed with cheap LiPo's and no BMS

 

[Andy_H]

Just seen this new advert for hoverboards

 

[eBoy]

If you clamped on a vertical mop-stale and crosspiece wooden handlebar, would you not have a segway-style vehicle? I reckon I could handle that!

CHRISTMAS JOKETIME! Aren't ALL cars people carriers? LOL! ROLF! TEE HEE!

 

[flecc]

and now someone has used one to steal a crate of Lucozade of all things…..

He was sentenced here at Croydon today with 40 hours of community service for the theft, and also convicted of riding a motor vehicle on the pavement.

In addition he was resentenced to 180 hours community service for missing three community service appointments of a previous sentence of 150 hours of community service, ordered for driving offences. Finally in addition to that 220 hours community service total he has to pay £150 in costs

He has sold the hoverboard so it seems only a bike or walking will be a safe bet for him now.
.
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[Croxden]

So as good as got off with it then.

 

[JohnCade]

They even have their uses in church…..


http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/dec/30/priest-suspended-for-riding-hoverboard-up-aisles-during-christmas-eve-mass

 

[trex]

Probably packed with cheap LiPo's and no BMS

and a toy 42V 2A charger.
The two DD motors pull 800W from a 36V 3AH Lipo battery.

 

[oldtom]

Anyone worried that their hoverboard may burst into flames at any moment should carry a fire extinguisher or stay close to an adequate water supply as this girl sensibly did:

http://giphy.com/gifs/l3nWitCvXXtttCUmc

Tom

 

[Croxden]

Anyone worried that their hoverboard may burst into flames at any moment should carry a fire extinguisher or stay close to an adequate water supply as this girl sensibly did:

http://giphy.com/gifs/l3nWitCvXXtttCUmc

Tom

Love it.

 

[oldtom]

The incidence of these curiously named 'hoverboards' bursting into flames seems to be far more common than I had imagined. Youtube has quite a few clips of such incidents and this is just one. I haven't seen one hover yet but quite a few have been seen on fire.

Tom