Electric unicyclists having a wheely good, illegal time in NYC - New York Post

However, electric unicycles are illegal in New York City, the NYPD confirmed, but the folks who ride them insist they aren’t out for trouble.

“Some people look at us like we came from outer space,” said electric unicyclist August Hill, 33, and the NYPD might agree, calling the contraptions illegal despite their growing ubiquity.

And they are gaining ground on other modes of transportation on congested city streets, Hill, a Manhattan resident, contends, adding that he had his own epiphany about five years ago while bemoaning another torturous cross-town commute.

“I was sitting on 34th Street contemplating what I wanted my life to look like when a guy whipped past me on an electric unicycle and that was it,” the former logistics director said, adding he started with a small wheel but has since graduated to “bigger and more robust machines….I now own my time and I can be wherever I want to be.

The electric unicycles generally weigh between 35 and 80 pounds and some can zoom up to 60 mph, Hill said, adding a dependable ride runs between $1,500 and $4,000.

The Kung Fu Tea shop became their headquarters after the owner, a friend, also got the one-wheel bug and allowed the growing unicycle community “a place to sit and store their chargers and charge their wheels,” Hill said.

Someone can make a ride and have people there in an hour,” Hill said adding the group embarks on about 14 rides each week