Federal Government Says Hoverboards Are Unsafe

03:29

February 19, 2016

People ride their hoverboards on the Venice Beach Boardwalk, California on December 10, 2015. These so-called hoverboards, or self-balancing electric scooters, are surging in popularity in the first season where they have been available at relatively affordable prices -- as low as $300 for some models. (Frederic J. Brown/AFP/Getty Images)

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has wrapped up its investigation into the safety-hazards posed by hoverboards. Its verdict is unambiguous: no hoverboard currently on the market is safe.

The CPSC sent out an official notice yesterday with new hoverboard safety standards to retailers, manufacturers and importers. The notice called for non-compliant hoverboards to be taken off the market as well. To discuss the news, Here & Now's Jeremy Hobson speaks with Mike Regan of Bloomberg Gadfly.

Guest

Mike Regan, columnist at Bloomberg Gadfly. He tweets @Reganonymous.

This segment aired on February 19, 2016.