Hoverboards Banned At Montclair State University In Essex County

Did you get a hoverboard for a holiday present this year?

Don’t ride it at Montclair State University.

On Wednesday, the school joined dozens of other institutions across the nation when it banned hoverboard from its campus.

“Several fires across the country resulting in personal injury and building destruction have recently been documented related to failure in the battery harness of hoverboards,” the university stated on its website. “In light of these recent events, Montclair State University’s Department of Fire Safety officially classifies hoverboards to be hazardous. The use and storage of hoverboards in all university buildings, including residence halls, are now banned.”

• See related article: Hoverboards Banned at Kean University

HOVERBOARD LAWS IN NJ

The NJ State Police issued a statement about the legality of hoverboards on Wednesday.

“Regardless of how you feel about [hoverboards], they’re legal here in New Jersey,” state police wrote.

• See related article: 9 Hoverboard Safety Tips: Avoid Fires, Falls and Fail

According to police, the vehicles are classified as “electric personal assistive mobility devices” under N.J. Title 39:4-14.10.

“In simple terms, all state bicycle laws apply to hoverboards, in addition to any local ordinances enacted to regulate use,” police stated. “Also, children 17-and-under are required by law to wear an approved helmet while operating a hoverboard.”

The full ordinance is below, courtesy of the NJ State Police.

1. a. As used in this act, “electric personal assistive mobility device” means a self-balancing non-tandem two wheeled device designed to transport one person which uses an electric propulsion system with average power of 750 watts (one horsepower), whose maximum speed on a paved level surface, when powered solely by such a propulsion system while operated by a person weighing 170 pounds is less than 20 miles per hour. The device shall not be considered a motorized wheelchair, motorized bicycle, motorcycle, motorized scooter, motorized skateboard, vehicle or motor vehicle.

b. An electric personal assistive mobility device may be operated on the public highways, sidewalks and bicycle paths of the State. Every person operating such a device shall be granted all of the rights and be subject to all of the duties applicable to the driver of a bicycle by chapter four of Title 39 of the Revised Statutes except as to those provisions thereof which by their nature can have no application. An electric personal assistive mobility device shall be subject to the safety and equipment requirements applicable to the bicycle provisions of chapter 4 of Title 39 of the Revised Statutes, except as to those provisions thereof which by their nature can have no application.

c. The operator of an electric personal assistive mobility device shall not be required to obtain a driver’s license therefor or to register the device. The operator shall not be required to furnish proof of having liability insurance for the device or other proof of financial responsibility.

d. The governing body of any municipality may, by ordinance, regulate the operation of electric personal assistive mobility devices upon the roadways and public properties under municipal jurisdiction. The State or the governing body of any county or municipality may prohibit or regulate their operation on any public highway under its jurisdiction.

e. Notwithstanding the other provisions of this section, an operator of an electric personal assistive mobility device shall:

(1) wear a helmet while operating that device; and

(2) be 16 years of age or older, except for an operator with a mobility-related disability.

L.2001,c.430,s.1; amended 2003, c.88.