Dubai: Dubai is clamping down on self-balancing board users who use their transport devices in malls after the municipality clarified its rules on Sunday to prevent the use of these dangerous devices in public areas.

The ban of the latest trendy transport devices — also known as hoverboards — follows similar decisions by New York, Netherlands, UK, Hong Kong and New South Wales, Australia.

The guidelines surrounding the use of hoverboards were clarified on Sunday, after Dubai Municipality confirmed that the boards were banned across all shopping centres in October 2015.

Residents found flouting the rules will have their hoverboards confiscated, according to the municipality’s new regulations.

Until recently, owners of shopping centres retained the rights as to whether hoverboards should be allowed on their premises.

Sultan Al Suwaidi, deputy head of the municipality’s Public Health and Safety Department, told Gulf News that as per the new rules, hoverboards are prohibited in crowded areas, pavements, roads, and any other public property that is not designated for wheels.

“The new rules state that hoverboards should only be used in designated areas, which means that they are allowed on cycling tracks in parks and anywhere else that allow skateboards or bicycles,” he said.

Al Suwaidi explained that to protect the public’s safety, hoverboard users are now required to wear protective gear, such as helmets, gloves, elbow and knee pads.

Children are also required to be under adult supervision.

The popular toys are powered by an electric motor fed by lithium batteries, allowing riders to control the gadgets at speeds of more than 15km/h. On a two-hour charge, hoverboards can run for up to four hours on average.

“We also addressed the issue of how hoverboards should be used because otherwise they pose a risk to other people [in the vicinity],” he said, adding that they should be charged as instructed by the manufacturing company, and should not be in contact with flammable material.

Social media has been flooded daily with videos of hoverboards catching fire and exploding and news stories recounting house fires in Europe and North America attributed to overcharging the devices.

“The new rules clearly state that the hoverboards should be used by one person at a time. People who have a high safety risk, such as those who are pregnant or who have fractured bones, should not be using it either,” he said.

The safety issue regarding hoverboards came under the spotlight after the death of a six-year-old Emirati child who was run over by a car in Abu Dhabi last October while travelling on a hoverboard. These balance wheels are battery-powered boards which resemble a skateboard or a mini Segway without a handle.

Following the incident, Dubai Police warned hoverboard owners to stay off roads, pavements and car parks while riding their devices or they will be fined Dh200 as pedestrians who are not abiding local traffic laws.

TIMELINE

Timeline — Hoverboard accidents held in the UAE

January 5, 2016

A Filipino man dies after he hits a lamppost while riding a hoverboard in Mushrif Park, Dubai.

October 19, 2015

The Dubai Department of Economic Development (DED) bans smart balance wheels in all the shopping malls in Dubai.

October 12, 2015

A six-year-old Emirati child riding a hoverboard dies after being run over by a car while travelling around on a smart balance wheel in Abu Dhabi.

Compiled by Gulf News Archives