Hoverboards For Commuting: How Practical It Is?
Hoverboards and other self-balancing transportation gadgets are becoming popular, as they’re fast and easy to move around.
However, using a hoverboard is a more fun option among various ways of commuting. Hoverboards are the only gadget that gives you that feeling of floating on air.
So, it’s natural to consider the hoverboard as a transport mode. But is commuting to school or work with a hoverboard practical?
Hoverboards can be practical for commuting to work or school, but they go only a little (8-16 miles) per charge. Also, using a hoverboard to commute depends on its legality in public places in your region. Its practicality will depend on your maintenance, too, especially on the battery.
In this article, I’ll extensively discuss the practicality of commuting on a hoverboard so you’ll know if a hoverboard is a suitable means of transport.
Also, you’ll get to know if you can use a hoverboard for long distances and on all surfaces and if children can go to school on hoverboards.
Can You Commute on a Hoverboard?
Yes, you can commute on a hoverboard. It’s an exciting way to move in public places. Moving to and from work, school, and around town is easy using a hoverboard.
Hoverboards are easy to learn with little practice, unlike skateboards, which makes them a good commuting option.
However, being able to move around on your hoverboard will solely depend on certain factors, which are;
- The distance you will be commuting.
- Your location, and
- Your preference for an ideal transport means.
Unlike other transport means, hoverboards are ideal for short-distance movements.
And only some regions/ locations allow hoverboards in public places, so endeavor to check your local rules to avoid trouble.
It’s a usual practice as a youngster to ride around on hoverboards in parks and empty lots for fun. But using a hoverboard in crowded areas and alongside cars is risky.
It requires more courage and experience to safely maneuver freely between other big vehicles. A slight loss of control can lead to a severe injury.
Hoverboards are incredible, and it’d be an amazing and unique experience for everyone to ride at least once.
However, to have a good experience commuting with a hoverboard entails good maintenance. You should know its limitations and avoid certain things to avoid breakdowns.
Since hoverboards use batteries, maintain the battery life by avoiding overcharging. Also, it’s a safe way to avoid fire disasters, as some hoverboard batteries might explode.
Again to ensure your safety while riding a hoverboard, you should know what surfaces you can ride your hoverboard on.
The terrain, weight, capabilities, etc., are all key to using a hoverboard safely as a commuting means.
Are Hoverboards Suitable for Transportation?
Yes, Hoverboards can be a suitable mode of transportation. However, you should know that the answer to these questions exceeds a yes/ no as there’s a little complexity to it.
There are benefits and downsides/ limitations to using hoverboards for transport. For example, a primary benefit is that riding a hoverboard is easy and fun.
However, your safety is one primary concern using a hoverboard, and its legality in your city is another.
But we are in an era of advancing technologies, where humans strive for an easier way to do things.
And so, with the incredible technology in Hoverboards, it’s now a popular means of transportation. So, getting a hoverboard for yourself is a good idea.
Nevertheless, a hoverboard is more than fun and convenient; there are more reasons why it’s a good transport option.
Hoverboards are eco-friendly; for example, a hoverboard uses rechargeable batteries. Also, with the batteries, there’s no emission of gasses to the environment(a clean transport).
No spending or wasting time on gas fueling when a fully charged hoverboard takes you to your destination. However, you’re also saving money with the thrills of riding hoverboards.
Nevertheless, knowing the benefits and downsides of using a hoverboard for transportation is ideal.
So below is a table showing the pros and cons of using a hoverboard for transportation.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| It’s a cheaper means of transportation. | It has a range limit. |
| It’s a fun and fantastic way to move around a short distance. | You can only use some hoverboards on some terrain. |
| Their small size makes them compact and easy to carry around. | They are not legal on public properties in all countries. |
| It’s also a suitable means of exercising. | They are not weather friendly. |
| It’s fast and efficient. | It takes hours to charge the battery fully. |
Nevertheless, hoverboards remain a good option for transportation.
With a hoverboard, you can quickly reach distances of two to five miles that you usually cover with a car. Besides, city life comprises short-distance journeys.
Can You Use Hoverboards for Long Distances?
Hoverboards are not ideal for long distances. Max range for most hoverboards is 10-20 miles per charge. Meanwhile, an average hoverboard will go eight miles per charge.
Also, on a run-time range, an average hoverboard will last 50 mins to one hour per charge. In contrast, an advanced hoverboard lasts around two to three hours.
Unlike other vehicles that use more fuel to go longer distances, a hoverboard uses a battery to power its motors. So the battery capacity determines its distance limit.
Although hoverboards range in quality and purposes, check for a suitable one. Also, maintain your board and its lithium-ion batteries to prolong its lifespan.
However, many factors affect the battery life of any hoverboard, such as;
- Speed.
- Weight of the rider.
- Overcharging.
- Terrains.
#1. Speed
Notably, a battery is a power bank, so when you go faster, you are feeding the motors with more battery power. In other words, more speed equals shorter distances.
However, you can spend extra money to purchase a more expensive hoverboard that goes more miles.
Also, accelerate moderately to get the best mileage with a fast hoverboard. While driving at its top, Speed drains the battery more as it draws more voltage.
#2. Weight of Rider
The more weight on the board, the more power it takes to move, which gives shorter miles. However, every hoverboard has a weight limit, so get one that suits your weight.
#3. Overcharging
One common mistake you can make is charging your board overnight, which is detrimental to the battery. Most batteries take 1.5-3 hours to charge fully, so endeavor you unplug it.
A fully charged hoverboard will have an indicator such as a green light display. Also, use a good charger with the proper voltage( especially when the original charger is unavailable).
#4. Terrains
Using regular(off-road) hoverboards on rough ground will require more power for the motors to keep the wheels moving.
Nonetheless, the overboard type will determine the mileage. For this reason, you can check out some best hoverboards with their specs and prices.
Additionally, some fast and quality hoverboards have helpful features to minimize battery Power and prolong mileage. These features include a power savings advanced mode.
Can Children Go to School on Hoverboards?
A child can go to school on hoverboards if the child is above 13 years and the local laws permit. In most public places, there’s a ban on riding self-balancing scooters.
This law is protective because younger people tend to be reckless in such situations. Generally, a child or anyone can ride a hoverboard on private properties or indoors.
Also, parents can allow children to ride hoverboards outside under their supervision. Manufacturers also have age restrictions on all their hoverboards to reduce cases of accidents.
Another reason for child restriction on riding hoverboards is the risk of the batteries catching fire or exploding. Some Lithium-ion batteries will catch fire or explode due to poor charging practices.
However, due to their unique designs, hoverboards are for youngsters to have fun with.
However, hoverboards are less dangerous than bikes or skateboards. But when it’s a child riding it, they’re prone to falls and collisions.
Injuries and accidents are unexpected events with every transportation mode. So restricting the practice of riding hoverboards to school as a child is a good safety measure.
Thus, wearing safety gear as you would on bikes while riding a hoverboard is ideal. Fractions and sprains are common injuries from falling off or colliding off a hoverboard.
At least, I recommend you wear a helmet to ensure your safety, as a significant injury can impact the head. And such injuries can lead to brain damage or death.
So educate and supervise your child on safety measures on how and where to ride a hoverboard. Children should practice and have balance before using a hoverboard.
Can You Use Hoverboards on All Surfaces?
No, not all hoverboards are ideal on all surfaces. While some high-quality hoverboards run well on all surfaces, most only work well on flat surfaces.
The significant factors determining whether a hoverboard can run on any surface include the wheel size and motor power.
Hoverboards with a wheel size of seven inches are best for flat surfaces. In contrast, those over eight inches are ideal for rougher surfaces.
Also, an average hoverboard usually has a motor power of 200 watts, while powerful ones range from 300-500 watts.
Certain surfaces will affect its efficiency and cause damage to the hoverboard. Therefore you should use your hoverboard on smooth/even surfaces.
Riding a hoverboard on uneven or rocky terrain can wreck your safety and cause an accident.
Avoid riding on wet surfaces like mud or water. When water gets into the hoverboard, it can cause electric malfunction and damage.
Also, a weak hoverboard on a rough surface drains more power to keep the board running.
Nevertheless, hoverboards with wheels can run on rough terrains with less power. So you can get a high-quality hoverboard to avoid repair or replacement costs.
Another reason you should avoid uneven surfaces is the stress you might encounter. Some unrideable areas will require carrying the hoverboard over nasty terrain.
So, to prioritize your safety, you should be cautious of the kind of surfaces you ride on.
