Strict New Laws Could See Hoverboards Banned in Victoria

Hoverboards could be banned in Victoria under new laws announced Thursday.

Speaking with the ABC, Victorian Energy, Environment, and Climate Change minister Lily D'Ambrosio pointed to an incident when a hoverboard, plugged in for less than 10 minutes, burst into flames and burnt down a family home in Strathmore in January this year. "We've already seen one house fire in Victoria due to a non-compliant battery charger and cord sold with a hoverboard," D'Ambrosio said. "We don't want any more."

From the start of next month, hoverboards will have to be certified by Energy Safe Victoria before they can be sold—meeting the same standards as appliances like fridges and heaters. The new rules are an attempt to address this problem of cheap or faulty batteries being used in the boards, which is causing them to burst into flames.

These new regulations shouldn't really come as a surprise. In December last year the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) felt it necessary to release a warning about the boards before the Christmas rush. The ACCC also advised that "falls from hoverboards are highly likely" and riders should "always wear shoes when riding a hoverboard."

Around the same time, New South Wales actually banned hoverboards from being ridden along footpaths and roads in the state—following the ACT's lead. And this year, in the wake of the Strathmore house fire, the federal government banned hoverboards entirely for 60 days—while they attempted to find a way to ensure the toys are safe.

Airlines have also cracked down, with many banning hoverboards from being taken on planes. Apparently no-one informed Russell Crowe though, who actually chose to abandon his flight, rather than fly without his board.

Ridiculous — Russell Crowe (@russellcrowe)December 29, 2015

In the US, rapper Wiz Khalifa was also targeted for his hoverboard use at an airport, pulled to the ground and handcuffed by police at LAX in August 2015. He responded, voicing what many are no doubt feeling in the wake of Victoria's new rules.

I stand for our generation and our generation is gonna be riding hover boards so if you don't like it eat a dick!

— KHALIFA (@wizkhalifa)August 23, 2015