Councilman wants to protect Philly youth using hoverboards

A Philadelphia city councilman is proposing safety rules for young hoverboard users, regulations that might be the first in the nation.

Councilman William Greenlee said his rules would address children 12 and younger who ride the self-balancing wheeled scooters.

“The easiest thing to deal with, at first, is the safety of children,” Greenlee said. “Dealing with kids 12 and under to at least have some protection.  An example was given by the Rothman Institute that a lot of kids are being hurt by this, and some protection is necessary.”

Greenlee’s proposed law is very specific.

“Kids 12 years of age and younger when they ride these hoverboards need to have protective equipment, helmet knee pads and elbow pads,” he said. “Police officers can issue a violation of $25.”

Councilman Allan Domb, who has already taken a fall while riding a hoverboard, has agreed to co-sponsor the bill.