# 2026-16388: Hoverboards in National Parks? NPS Draws the Micromobility Line!

2026-16388, Powered Micromobility Devices, is a Federal Register rule from Interior Department, National Park Service published 2026-08-12, effective 2026-09-11; PRIA reads it as touching household money (as of 2026-08-19).

- Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-16388
- As of: 2026-08-19
- Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts.

## Facts
- Document number: 2026-16388
- Title: Powered Micromobility Devices
- Type: Rule
- Agencies: Interior Department; National Park Service
- Citation: 91 FR 52024
- Published: 2026-08-12
- Effective: 2026-09-11
- Comments close: not stated
- Significant: no
- Touches household money: yes
- Regulation identifier numbers: 1024-AE79
- Last updated: 2026-08-19

## In one line

Hoverboards in National Parks? NPS Draws the Micromobility Line!

## Summary

The National Park Service finalizes a management framework for the use of powered micromobility devices within the National Park System. The final rule defines powered micromobility devices separately from motor vehicles, traditional bicycles, electric bicycles, and human powered coasting devices, and creates rules for where and how they may be used in units of the National Park System. Examples of powered micromobility devices include electric scooters (e- scooters), hoverboards, and Segways.

## Effects PRIA read

- Park Use Allowed Only in Designated Locations: mixed, medium. The rule says you may only use powered micromobility devices in National Park System units in locations that are specifically designated by the park superintendent. Superintendents can list designated roads, paved or gravel sidewalks and paths, parking areas, and other improved locations in the uni…
- Shared-Fleet Operators Need Park Authorization: cost, medium. Companies that operate shared e-scooter or other micromobility fleets in park areas must obtain written authorization from the NPS (for example a commercial use authorization or concession contract). Those authorizations can include operational requirements such as parking corrals, geofencing, inci…
- Device Definition: <150 Pounds, No Gas Engine: benefit, low. The rule defines a "powered micromobility device" as a human-operated, self-propelled device with a curb weight less than 150 pounds and without an internal combustion engine. The definition explicitly includes e-scooters, hoverboards, Segways, e-skateboards and adaptive devices up to that weight,…
- No Micromobility in Statutory Wilderness Areas: cost, low. The rule prohibits possessing a powered micromobility device in wilderness areas established by Congress, unless otherwise allowed by Federal law. Superintendents cannot override that statutory prohibition by designation.

## Related documents

- [2026-04606](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-04606): Alaska; Hunting and Trapping in National Preserves, 2026-03-10
- [2026-22736](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-22736): Agency Information Collection Activities; National Park Service Concessioner Services Customer Satisfaction Survey, 2026-11-09
- [2026-22670](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-22670): National Register of Historic Places; Notification of Pending Nominations and Related Actions, 2026-11-06
- [2026-22422](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-22422): National Register of Historic Places; Notification of Pending Nominations and Related Actions, 2026-11-03
- [2026-22325](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-22325): Notice of Intent To Extend and Continue Concession Contracts and Award a Temporary Concession Contract, 2026-11-02
- [2026-21222](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-21222): Denali National Park and Preserve; Vehicle Use, 2026-10-16

## Sources
- [2026-16388 on federalregister.gov](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/08/12/2026-16388/powered-micromobility-devices)
- [2026-16388 as published (PDF)](https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2026-08-12/pdf/2026-16388.pdf)

## Related
- [Previous: 2026-16374, NRC Modernization: Rulemaking Procedure, Federal Advisory Committee Act Alignme…](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-16374)
- [Next: 2026-16393, Amendment of Class E Airspace Over Staunton, VA](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-16393)
- [All Federal Register documents](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register)

Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-16388 (as of 2026-08-19).