They look very much like a high-tech torture device, so to say, than an eco-friendly and healthy way to get from one place to another. But then someone somewhere must have thought that these turbo-charged inline skates were not such a bad idea. Not agreeing with this, customs officials impounded a consignment of risky petrol powered roller skates amid concerns they could well end up being used on the streets.

These adapted inline roller blades, as the Telegraph’s report revealed, had a 25cc engine attached to a skate in each pair and could travel at speeds of around 20mph. It was feared they might explode in an accident. Detailing the Customs action, the report added:

“Fifty pairs of the skating shoes from China were on their way to an address in Bournemouth, Dorset, when Customs and Excise tipped off Trading Standards in the seaside town.”

These risky roller skates, powered by a hand-held throttle, can only be stopped by a shut-off button that operates like an emergency brake. An official from Bournemouth Council’s trading standards division stated the skates were ‘unsafe to use.’ He added:

“The engine is 25cc. And, when you think a moped has a 50cc engine, it is quite frightening how fast they can go.”