Kickboards M any young people can be seen these days riding what looks like a skateboard with a handlebar. Kickboards first went on sale in April 1999, but it wasn't until later in the year that the craze took off. They're so popular now that it's been difficult to get a hold of one since the end of 1999. This is all the more reason for the proud looks of the kids who actually own one. Their favorite places to show off their prized possessions are near train stations, some of which have turned into hangouts for kickboard fans.
Some owners personalize their boards by decorating it with lots of stickers.
R iding a kickboard is easy. You just put one foot on the board and kick the ground with the other foot. If you shift your weight sideways, the board will turn in that direction. T he kickboard doesn't take up much space when you fold up its lightweight aluminum handle, so some kids carry it onto the train after riding it to the station. Adults use it, too, on their commute or when shopping.