Hoverboards are the new technologically-advanced versions of skateboards. They have narrow wheels for “surfing on land,” “ground-sensing sonar to keep the board parallel to the ground,” strong rechargeable batteries, and LED lighting (Robert Bigler, founder of hoverboards and hoverboard.com). Sounds like the ultimate experience, right?

However, the existence of hoverboards clearly discourages exercise. They are, in fact, too good to be true. Using a hoverboard allows you to “hover” on the sidewalk (hence the name) rather than walk or be physically active in any way. About two-thirds of adults in America today are obese, and ⅓ of children struggle with obesity (obesitycampaign.org). Statistics also show that if the obesity rate stays consistent, “51% of the population will be obese by the year 2030” (obesitycampaign.org). As we all know, obesity rates continue to burgeon and spread across America, and hoverboards will evidently keep this rate consistent, and possibly even speed up the process.

In addition to posing a threat to the health of everyone, hoverboards also jeopardize the safety of those who utilize them. Hoverboards have become such a success, that “[manufacturers are] slipping cheap batteries in the boards to meet the demand” (Simmons and Dicker, Huffington Post). As a result, hoverboards began to explode on the users, as Delvon Simmons states. Simmons stated that five minutes after charging his board, the ride exploded (soon after the wheels began to smoke) (Simmons and Dicker, Huffington Post). The explosion was such an atrocious event that the hoverboard has been banned in England, as stated by Section 72 of the Highway Act of 1835 and in Scotland under the Roads Act of 1984, and for good reason (Griffin, independent.co.uk). However, the recent popularity of the boards overpower the law. Police enforcement apparently has no effect over the people, and frankly, it isn’t the police’s responsibility now. The users are choosing not to obey the law and by doing so, they are putting themselves in danger. Hoverboard users are fully responsible for any injuries.

And in summation, it’s obviously not worth risking your health and safety because you’d rather “hover” on a $600 piece of plastic than exercise.