MSU students react to hover-gate
They can take away our hoverboards, but they can’t take away our fun… or maybe they can
On Monday February 8th, Michigan State released some very solum news. Hoverboards on campus and in residence halls are from here on out prohibited. What ever will students do? The email stated “…it is now become necessary to add additional restrictions regarding hover boards, self-propelled scooters, and self-balancing devices. Recent information has revealed that the batteries in the devices are dangerous and prone to explosion, creating a safety and fire risk.”
I took to the streets to see how MSU students feel about the ban.
Bryana Delean, Sophomore, Civil Engineering
“Im kind of indifferent about it because, well, I don’t really care. But I know that they are catching on fire so that makes sense to ban them.”
Calle Brooks, Freshmen, Pre-med
“I think it’s kind of dumb that they banned it because they allow skateboards and its basically the same thing and if they fall it’s not the school’s fault.”
Jalin Lewis, Freshmen, Mechanical Engineering
“I don’t really think its a necessary ban, but I do understand the risk. But if they are starting fires than I think the ban is okay.”
Henry Frost, Freshmen, Chemical Engineering
“I feel having hoverboards in residence halls is just fine. I don’t even get the hover boards, I think they’re stupid.”
John Derusha, Junior, Kinesiology
“I’m pretty indifferent about it because I’m not really sure what a hoverboard is.”
Gideon Bush, Freshmen, Computer Science
“I understand they don’t want the liability because I have been on them a couple times and the battery can die at anytime and you can fall flat on your face. I saw that they’re starting fires too but I have heard of a story on campus.”
Bianca Mercado, Freshmen, International Relations
“I mean I kind of understand it because the battery is having problems and is exploding and causing fires in dorms so I agree with it.”
Rachael Smith, Sophomore, International Relations
” I think its a little excessive. I can see them not being in residence halls but as far as sidewalk use I don’t see what the problem would be.”
The hoverboards have no prejudice about where when these fires are starting. Some happen while charging, others while people are using them. Even one went up in flames while it was just laying near a desk at a kiosk in a Washington mall. Segway now has a lawsuit on their hands after one ignited while charging in New York.
In January, The United States Consumer Product Safety Commission released data saying that over 40 fires have been logged in 19 different states catching rooms and even whole houses on fire. Officials at the CPSC are warning to only use the chargers that come in the boxes of the product. And they are also saying to not overcharge them either. This really means nothing to most of you because we can’t use them anymore anyway.
If you do chose to ride one, don’t be worried about just the fires. From personal experience, I have pretty good balance, but they can be hard to maneuver and sometimes be difficult to control speed. I have seen stories of kids falling and breaking arms, wrist, and elbows from trying to break their fall.
I really think that we should go back to the simpler version of hover boards. You know, the ones we used in gym class as kids. If you’re reading this article right now and don’t know what I’m talking about, you’re gym teacher failed you. Now my spartan friends, stay safe and Go Green!