'Hoverboards' banned on the streets but not in the office

Unable to use outside, we go about our working day on a hoverboard

Rachael Pells,Ryan Ramgobin
Tuesday 13 October 2015 14:02 BST
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We ride a segway around the office

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They may be the must-have tech product of the moment and possibly the most fun a commuter can have on their way to work, but so-called hoverboards are illegal to ride due outside on the streets and pavements due to a centuries-old law.

Janelle Evans riding on a Watch Me Hover Hoverboard in Los Angeles
Janelle Evans riding on a Watch Me Hover Hoverboard in Los Angeles (Broadimage/REX Shutterstock)

The Metropolitan Police Force this week tweeted that anyone riding one of the pressure-sensitive boards outside could be breaking the law – but that won’t stop us from testing the Airboard indoors…

With a battery capable of running for 7-9 miles and a top speed of 10mph, ride on boards could revolutionise the way The Independent staff tackle their way around the office.

Riding outside on the streets of London yesterday earned me some funny looks, and veering to avoid buggies, joggers, tourist-groups and dogs proved a challenge worthy of a hazard perception test, but having experience life on a board, I fear it’s too late to go back.

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