Hoverboard Culture
When discussing popular pieces of technology from 2015 to 2016, one device stands out: the hoverboard. Unfortunately, they don’t actually hover, the two wheeled vehicles seem like the closest we’ll get. While self-balancing scooters had existed since 2013, they exploded in mainstream culture in early 2015. This frenzy was driven by high-profile early users who treated the devices as status symbols of exalted status. Superstar celebrities like Justin Bieber, Wiz Khalifa, and Kendall Jenner have all been seen riding the two-wheeled vehicles. From fail videos to Back to the Future II, hoverboards took over pop culture in their time.
Razor Hovertrax Lux
In 2025, I am writing about a 2015 staple: my Razor Hovertrax Lux. Upon opening the box, the vibrant red designs surprised me. I immediately switched it on, and bright, rainbow lights filled the room. Mounting the board presented the first challenge. I shook, wobbled, and felt completely unstable. I slowly navigated the hallways, though a lingering sense of danger remained. While enjoying my risky ride, I noticed the concerned look on my mothers face. The parent of a hoverboard-owning child who requested anonymity said, “The Hoverboard itself was very interesting in design and operation. Watching my daughter learn to operate it was terrifying. Despite knowing she is athletic and has good balance, I was praying she didn’t crack her head open. Once she got better at it, which happened pretty quickly, it was entertaining to watch. Despite the anxiety, it is pretty cool.” While parents might think the hoverboard is dangerous, kids think they are fun and exciting. Riding my hoverboard, I felt trendy, nostalgic, and high tech.
Fire Risk
Due to the lithium-ion battery most hoverboards use, they are known to catch fire. These batteries power everything from smartphones to electric cars. When improperly manufactured or mishandled, they can become ticking time bombs. To avoid this, do not charge your hoverboard overnight or overcharge it. This increases the risk of fire. Reports of the first hoverboard fire were in 2015, when a family in Louisiana claimed their device caught fire while charging. The incident quickly went viral, causing widespread panic and scrutiny. Videos of hoverboards exploding or igniting flooded social media, and retailers began to pull hazardous models off their shelves. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) mandates that all hoverboards meet safety standards, particularly concerning their batteries and electrical components.
Reward-to-Risk Ratio
Overall, I believe the reward of riding a hoverboard outweighs the risk. They are fun, trendy, and generally a cool way to get around. Once you get the hang of it, zooming around on a hoverboard can become your new way to get around. However, you must maintain mindfulness about the risk of the batteries or falling down and injuring yourself. Colonia High School student Aiden Robinson described hoverboards as “uncontrollable” and said “I actually thought I was going to die one time because I leaned over and it just just kept spinning.” He believes that hoverboards are dangerous for little kids but despite this, he had fun which is an experience many users can agree with.
