NY Daily News: Queens state senator wants to legalize hoverboards, slams ban as NYC cash grab

The New York Daily News reported on Senator Jose Peralta's efforts to legalize the use of hoverboards. This is the article by Ken Lovett. 

ALBANY — A Queens state senator wants to get the NYPD off the backs of hoverboard users.

Sen. Jose Peralta has introduced a bill designed to ensure the use of hoverboards is legal.

The police have been cracking down on users by issuing tickets.

A police spokeswoman told the Daily News in November that under state law, the popular self-balancing scooters are prohibited because they are considered motor vehicles that cannot be registered with the Department of Motor Vehicles.

Those ticketed for riding a hoverboard on a street, highway, parking lot or sidewalk face fines of up to $200.

Peralta, a Democrat, said the interpretation is nothing more than a cash grab by the city.

“This is all about raising money and increasing their ticket quotas,” he said. “It’s completely unnecessary.

“Talk to me about delivery food scooters and other things we should be addressing. But a hoverboard that goes less than 8 mph? It’s ridiculous.”

Peralta’s bill would exempt hoverboards from being defined as a motor vehicle under the law. He describes them as being more like skateboards.

Under the bill, a hoverboard is defined as any self-balancing device that goes 20 mph or less and has two or more wheels on a single axle that does not exceed 20 inches in height and is designed to transport one person with an electric propulsion system.

Peralta called it absurd to go after the devices, which have been flying off store shelves as the holidays approach.

He said it’s more appropriate for the state or localities to enact safety regulations as they deem appropriate.

“There is no evidence to suggest that an all-out ban on hoverboards is in the public interest,” Peralta wrote in a memo outlining the bill. “Further, no party has argued that the DMV should institute a registration scheme that encompasses hoverboard devices.”

Peralta said he hasn’t spoken to NYPD brass, but has talked informally with cops in Queens about the crackdown.

“They just say they’re doing what they’re instructed to do,” he said. “It’s unfortunate. That’s why we’re looking to change the law.”

An NYPD representative did not return an email for comment.

A Senate GOP spokesman had no comment, saying he hasn’t seen the bill, which has been referred to the chamber’s Transportation Committee.

Peralta says he expects to have an Assembly sponsor for his bill within days.