This past Halloween, I was in New York City with my friend Cat Sopko, who attends Ramapo College, to see the musical Beetlejuice. We had just met Alex Brightman the lead actor of Beetlejuice when we were standing outside the Winter Garden Theater along with dozens of other attendees in costume.
Suddenly, a loud horn sounded and seemed to be approaching the theater. Everyone turned to look for what could be a passing truck, perhaps trying to prevent an accident.
Instead, we looked down to see three people in Mario, Luigi, and Yoshi costumes–like human versions of the video game characters–riding down the bike lane in two electric toy cars and one in a lawn chair. Both of the cars and the lawn chair were set on top of electric skateboards, allowing them to ride at top speed down the street.
It seemed like fun, totally exhilarating and something I would love to do.
Sopko agreed: “It would be good entertainment and fun.”
However, what struck me the most is the simple question, “Is this legal?” Better yet, is this legal in New Jersey? Surprisingly enough, it just might be.
For the guys who were going all out this Halloween, they were still safe by using the bike lanes, even though they were riding electric powered skateboards. According to the New York City Inline Skating Guide, a New York state law enacted on Jan. 1, 1996 essentially “gives skaters similar rights and responsibilities as those held by bicyclists.”
Evidently, what the Mario Kart impersonators did was legal, since skateboarders can use the designated bike lanes. However, the same liberties are not granted in New Jersey, or at least not clearly.
During New Jersey’s 217th Legislature, they clarified the definition of a skateboard, which now includes both the electric skateboard and the infamous hoverboard. It is unclear, though, if skateboarders are allowed to use bike lanes.
Unlike New York, skateboarders in New Jersey are allowed to use the sidewalk. Theoretically, being able to race around in the same manner as the impersonators would be possible as long as it is on the sidewalk.
In turn, racing around the city is something not only New Yorkers can partake in.
As crazy as it sounds, you are able to rent go-karts in Tokyo and ride around the city. One popular company, StreetKart, is considered one of the best activities in Japan in 2018, according to TripAdvisor.
According to Tokyo Cheapo, it is less of a fee for anyone to partake as there are guided tours throughout the day. There are multiple courses to select from and follow, varying in both lengths in time and price, to show off different areas of the city.
Though I am not pushing for the legalization of go-karts in the state of New Jersey, the rentable go-kart feat is something spectacular that people are clearly interested in.
As first-year Radiology major Lauren Lichon said, “I think it would be good for kids our age to be able to have fun and race cars.”
