Sometimes referred to as a “hoverboard,” an Oxboard (named after a Dutch company that produces them), or a smart two-wheel self-balancing scooter, these devices have begun to show up around MSU’s campus to mixed reception.

“They’re a lot of fun to just hop on and ride around," journalism senior Cameron Billes said. "It feels like you’re floating in the air I guess, in a way, but they’re very expensive. For me personally, I don’t think it’s worth the investment of $500 or $550 or however much you can get them for."

While expensive, there are ways to acquire a hoverboard without busting your wallet. Direct ordering through China can save several hundred dollars. That’s how nursing freshman Kevin Ingram acquired his.

“I just went on Amazon and then I would search for the lowest price and then I see where the shipper was, and then it said it was from China so I knew it was the good one, so I had to get that one,” Ingram said.

Why all the trouble if buses and bikes are still viable means of getting around? Ingram said it’s a matter of preference.

“Sometimes it can be convenient, but sometimes it’s easier just to take a bike or a bus," he said. "It depends. If you want to go far you might as well just take a bike or a bus, but somewhere close you can take the Segway."

Aside from using it inside Akers Hall, Ingram said he will ride his hoverboard to a class at Hubbard Hall, since it’s a decent distance away from Ingram and his hoverboard can achieve a top speed of 20 MPH.

Though he hasn’t personally encountered police while on his hoverboard, the device’s hybrid design between a motorized vehicle and balance board presents a tricky problem for law enforcement.

Lt. Randy Holton, the coordinator of the Michigan State Police Department’s Community Team Policing Program, has found the subject of hoverboards a very recent and ongoing conundrum for MSU’s campus officers.

“We’re aware of them at this point, just looking into what category they fall under as a motorized vehicle,” Holton said.

Due to this uncertainty of what category of transportation hoverboards are, the MSU police force has not issued any specific ordinances for them yet, though Holton did mention that he would be conducting further research to settle the issue.

“The issue is do they fall under the definition of a motor vehicle or fall under a Segway?" Holton said. "If it’s a Segway you can ride them on the sidewalk no problem, but if they’re a motor vehicle, like a moped, then you can’t ride them because they’re not equipped for the road and motor vehicles can’t be on sidewalks."