Philadelphia parents may have to stock up on protective gear in the future if their children plan to ride hoverboards in the city.
A bill that would require children younger than 12 to wear helmets, knee pads, elbow pads and wrist guards while riding hoverboards -- or any "self-propelled mobility device" -- passed out of Philadelphia City Council's Committee on Streets and Service on Tuesday.
The bill was introduced in late January by Councilman William Greenlee after numerous reports of injuries related to the devices, and could potentially be passed by Council as early as next week.
“I was shocked by the number of stories I heard around the holidays of people, both adults and children, sustaining serious injuries from falling off a hoverboard,” Greenlee said in a statement. “I think this legislation makes sense especially in a city with uneven sidewalks.”
Violation of the law would result in a fine of $25.
Editor's note: An earlier version of this story reported that Philadelphia City Council had passed the hoverboard safety bill. The bill has only passed Council's Committee on Streets and Services and has yet to pass full City Council.
