Strange as it may seem, the ministry of transport in Austria issued ready guidelines for hoverboard use and safety even though hoverboards of the 'Back to the Future 2' ilk are yet to leave the drawing board.
According to ABC News, in celebration of Marty McFly's journey into October 21, 2015 in the film Back to the Future 2, the Austrian ministry gave hoverboards their approval and urged consciousness toward public safety in their use. The chase scene in the Back to the Future 2 film where McFly, played by Michael J. Fox, is seen airborne on a hoverboard with the villainous Biff Tannen and his gang have long since captivated public heart and imagination.
Albeit tongue-in-cheek, this is the ministry's effort to provide clear legal guidelines for hoverboard riders with foremost consideration that the use of hoverboards do not cause harm or danger to both pedestrian and motor traffic. Yahoo News reports that based on the ministry's classification, these must be treated as small vehicles, which may be used anywhere that a skateboard is generally used.
The ministry clarifies, however, that rocket-powered hoverboard varieties similar to Back to the Future 2's Pit Bull model will need to have more restrictive policies. Pilot certificate, flight authorisation, and even a nautical permit must be secured before use.
These rules may not have too long to wait before coming to use with a number of firms already producing hoverboard prototypes. Hendo, a technology company based in California for example, has a prototype hoverboard that runs on magnetic repulsion.
Hoverboards are not the only Back to the Future ideas being attempted to recreate into the real future. Leading brand Nike has been working to produce sneakers that are like the ones Marty McFly wore, which have Nike power laces and self-tightening features.
In the New York Times, the ministry also suggested that additional regulations will be provided for hoverboard use on water.
