and if you thought heelies were bad

Illegal and heading here: 'Killer' 20mph petrol-driven rollerblades
By LUKE SALKELD - More by this author »

Last updated at 20:43pm on 31st July 2007

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/news/news.html?in_article_id=472044&in_page_id=1770

'Frightening': The petrol-fuelled roller skates
They look like great fun, and would certainly take the sweat out of skating.

But these motorised rollerblades could cause serious injury and death, safety experts warned last night.

The Chinese-made boots are illegal across the world, but trading standards chiefs fear the UK black market is about to be flooded with them.

With a 25cc engine attached to the right boot along with a small fuel tank, they carry the wearer along at up to 20mph.

They are controlled using a handheld throttle and can reach maximum speed within seconds. But there is no brake. The only way of stopping is a shut-off button which acts like an emergency stop, throwing the skater forward at speed.

If they were legal they would be classed as a motorised vehicle and the user would need a driving licence, insurance and L-plates.

Fifty pairs of the boots, called Gasoline Skating Shoes, have been seized at an address in Bournemouth. It is believed they were to be sold on the streets and internet for up to £150 a pair.

David Morton, of Bournemouth trading standards, said as well as the speed danger, the skates have a plastic petrol tank which poses a serious fire risk.

'These things are absolutely frightening and would have been every parents' nightmare had they been on the streets. The skates are so dangerous that we are worried about putting them on to test them.'

The engine, weighing about 10lb, is carried in a 7in box on the heel of the right boot. The fuel tank is under the engine and holds a litre of twostroke fuel. The left boot is unpowered and just follows the impetus created by the right one.

'There is an exhaust vent and a cable to start the engine, just like a petrol-driven lawnmower,' said Mr Morton. 'The engine is 25cc and when you think that a moped has a 50cc engine then it is quite frightening how fast they can go.

'The hand-held throttle lever is attached to a one-metre lead and there is a button which kills the engine.'

He added: 'With a plastic petrol tank there are fears that in the event of an accident the whole thing could go up in flames, along with the user.'

Customs officers discovered the consignment at Southampton Airport. They tipped off trading standards officials in Bournemouth who went to the address of a man in his 30s.

They found two pairs at the house and 48 more in different sizes and colours at a nearby lock-up. It is thought the skates had been flown in from China via Amsterdam.

Mr Morton said: 'As far as we can make out the man was about to sell them for about £150. He was going to leaflet the area and probably use eBay as well and his target market was young people.'

An investigation has been launched with a view to prosecuting the man using legislation under the Consumer Protection Act.

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I just post the stories, for interest.. for everyone

Lord, what fools these mortals be!
- A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Act III, Scene ii

Voltaire said: "Those who can make you believe absurdities can make you commit atrocities."

H.L.Mencken wrote:"The whole aim of practical politics is to keep the populace alarmed (and hence clamorous to be led to safety) by menacing it with an endless series of hobgoblins, all of them imaginary.”

Only two things are infinite, the universe and human stupidity, and I'm not sure about the former. Albert Einstein

I think they should market them as "suicide skates" and they'll definitely be in the next edition of "Darwin Awards."

Yet another way for parents to kill their kids (and collect the insurance!!!!).

I'm sure it will be the "have to have" Christmas gift of 2007.

I hope so. Oh please oh please oh please...
I seriously want to see some kid blasting uncontrolled down the sidewalk at 20mph with their best frien- I mean parent, shrieking after them.
"What have I done?!!!!"

Some kid wiped out in front of our house last summer on one of those damned motorized scooters.

It was pretty great, actually.