David Chang

Should Hoverboards Be Banned From Jersey Shore Boardwalks?

One of the most popular items on the market is now a huge source of debate for several Jersey Shore communities.

Leaders in Wildwood are working to approve a new proposed law that would prohibit hoverboards on the boardwalk, citing falling and crashing hazards. Vincent Fabrizio, a 14-year-old boy who recently got a hoverboard for Christmas, wasn’t too happy when he heard the news.

“I would be sad if they would ban them because a lot of kids down here have them,” he said.

Catherine Barfield of Wildwood believes they should be banned from the boardwalk however.

“They shouldn’t be up here,” she said. “They get hurt up here. It’s too busy up here on the boardwalk in the summer for them to be up here.”

City officials say the ban is needed to protect others as well as Wildwood.

“There are some uneven areas that are of concern to us on the boardwalk,” said Wildwood Mayor Ernie Troiano Jr. “This society is so litigious. They sue on the drop of a dime.”

Officials in Ocean City are also trying to determine if hoverboards fall under existing laws which prohibit motorized vehicles on the boardwalk with the exception of motorized wheelchairs.

“There are existing laws that prohibit the use of motorized vehicles,” said Doug Bergen, a spokesman for Ocean City. “At this point the city is looking at those laws to see if they would apply to hoverboards.”

If not, officials say Ocean City leaders will draft a new plan to prohibit hoverboards on the boardwalk, at least during peak months.

“Our biggest concern is with the summer crowds and a motorized vehicle mixed with that seems like a dangerous mix,” Bergen said.

Not everyone agrees with the idea of a boardwalk ban however, including Tia Cox of West Chester.

“Anything could be unsafe,” said Cox, whose son owns a hoverboard. “I think right now they should be allowed on the boardwalks. It’s a lot of fun and until something happens that proves otherwise, I think the kids should be able to have fun or adults with it.”

A preliminary vote for the Wildwood plan was held Wednesday night. A second and final vote is expected to be held on April 13. If approved, the hoverboard ban will be in effect by Memorial Day weekend.

Contact Us