Last week, a six-year-old Emirati boy reportedly died in an accident in Abu Dhabi. He was not on a cycle, but a ‘smart balance wheel’ when he was run over by a car. Since then concerns over safety have caused a ban on smart balance wheels in malls.

The Department of Economic Development (DED) in Dubai has asked all mall management to disallow such scooters (hoverboards) inside malls. Consumers and shopkeepers have complained, and said they’re concerned about accidents and damage.

The Commercial Compliance and Consumer Protection (CCCP) section in DED directed malls not to allow the use of balance wheels – a handle-less variant – as part of its efforts to ensure a safe and healthy shopping environment in Dubai and protect the right of shopkeepers to conduct business without fear of loss or danger.

Users on Twitter such as Shiala (@TypicallyOdd) have been saying things like: “Moving to Dubai so I can ride that segway in peace.” Details