Whilst it is understandable and indeed sensible that self-balancing scooters (also known colloquially as 'hoverboards', 'swegways' and a plethora of alternative terms) should not be used on public roads, under Section 72 of the Highway Act 1835, it is also illegal to ride them on public footways or pavements in England and Wales, with Section 129(5) of the Roads (Scotland) Act 1984 having the same legal result in Scotland. It is a sign of the antiquated nature of such laws that they have failed to accommodate for the pace of global technological acceleration in the consumer transportation market. These devices clearly pose no legitimate threat of injury to members of the public and use of them should therefore be promptly legalised in Britain.