Pretty often the presence of motors makes a big difference in classification. I think in the US the basic rules are at the state level, so there are at least 50 sets of rules. And you don't live in any of them, don't know how it works up there. But the chance of one simple answer is roughly zero.
In the UK cycling on the pavement has been mostly illegal since 1888 (http://www.portsmouth.co.uk/news/local/hundreds-fined-in-pavement-cycling-clampdown-1-4514128), as an amendment to an 1835 Act, with fines posible of up to £500, though mostly about £30.
I don't think a further amendment has to be made to the current law for hoverbifans; segways aren't allowed (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-south-yorkshire-12215326)as motor vehicles. But then, the hover-by-fan is not touching the pavement, it is flying above it, so maybe some amendment will have to be made.
In the classic example, a statute that bans vehicles from a park is obviously intended to cover cars. A "penumbra" case would be one not considered by the creators of the law, such as a skateboard in the example above.
I think this is meant to be a free flight vehicle rather than a hovercraft. They're clearly using ground effect the way a hovercraft does in this test footage, but this brings to mind some of the Hiller units of the 50's.
I suspect you'd get dinged for operating an aircraft without proper license, too close to the ground, in an inhabited area.
Although the thought of a Nicoll Event, involving rotating blades, pedestrians, and possibly cats, is enough to request a warning, if you decide to acquire one.
In most of the US, cycles are not allowed on sidewalks except for children, plus parents accompanying their cycling children. Enforcement doesn't seem to be prioritized, though.
If bike rules apply, the vehicle can't go on a sidewalk unless the operator is under twelve years of age, or unless there is a sign up specifically permitting bicycles. The sign will --or should-- mention that a bike on a walkway must operate at a pedestrian speed and always yield to pedestrians.
If bikes in your town are found on sidewalks, your middle school isn't doing its job.
Remember, kids, it's all fun and games until anything whatsoever happens and everybody dies, is what that video made me think. Probably fun until then, though.
As a wise man once said of another vehicle where the operator stood above madly whirling blades, "You've got to be careful not to fall off. Of course, that's true for any aircraft."
It's not enforced because it's not there, (I just checked). In fact, the only mentions of 'sidewalk' are as part of the definition of 'crosswalk' and where pedestrians should be if there isn't a sidewalk.
There is a prohibition on using a crosswalk while riding a bike, which may be part of what you are thinking of.
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james_davis_nicoll) wrote2013-04-14 11:45 pm
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No mention of what top speed is and how loud it is. I'd gather that it's fairly noisy, so it would be limited to off road use.
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I don't think a further amendment has to be made to the current law for hoverbifans; segways aren't allowed (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-south-yorkshire-12215326)as motor vehicles. But then, the hover-by-fan is not touching the pavement, it is flying above it, so maybe some amendment will have to be made.
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What are the rules for air conditioning units on sidewalks?
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http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hart%E2%80%93Fuller_debate
In the classic example, a statute that bans vehicles from a park is obviously intended to cover cars. A "penumbra" case would be one not considered by the creators of the law, such as a skateboard in the example above.
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(Anonymous) 2013-04-15 12:53 pm (UTC)(link)Although the thought of a Nicoll Event, involving rotating blades, pedestrians, and possibly cats, is enough to request a warning, if you decide to acquire one.
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Basically, if it's not a folding bike and it's not a kids bike, it's illegal for it to be on the sidewalk.
I fully expect that this is not enforced, though.
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If bikes in your town are found on sidewalks, your middle school isn't doing its job.
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Or possibly hovercraft rules.
http://hovercraftreport.com/hovercraft-regulations/
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(Anonymous) 2013-04-17 05:08 am (UTC)(link)"My hovercraft is full of eels!"
===Awesome Aud - just one more helpless victim of John Cleese.
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There is a prohibition on using a crosswalk while riding a bike, which may be part of what you are thinking of.
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I like vroom. But something that doesn't look excruciatingly painful and impossible to park would be nice. Like half the size, and comfy.