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Skateboarding Law

 
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Skateboarding Law (490 Posts)
Topic Info
Seattle Sucks
On 6/6/2006 Whatever wrote in from United States  (64.128.nnn.nnn)

"...or engage in any sport, amusement or
exercise or play in the roadway of ANY street."

So I guess pumping out a load in the car is verboten too?

 
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Seattle Law
On 6/6/2006 Deano wrote in from United States  (209.181.nnn.nnn)

This is where is lawyers come into play...

I read the law to apply to arterials but to other streets as the last sentence states:

"...or engage in any sport, amusement or
exercise or play in the roadway of ANY street."

I guess it is up to the cop to write the ticket and it is up to us to fight them.

 
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Seattle law only applies to
On 6/2/2006 Pat Chewning wrote in from United States  (67.189.nnn.nnn)

The Seattle law you cited only applies to "arterial" streets. These are usually the wider streets with designated crosswalks. Here is a map:

http://clerk.ci.seattle.wa.us/~codepics/1118010A.gif

The way I read it, you are still allowed to ride on the other streets, which are not "arterials".

As far as the crosswalk goes, I think the law very clearly states that you ARE allowed to be on your skateboard while in the crosswalk on an arterial street.

-- Pat

 
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thanks for seattle info
On 5/27/2006 peters wrote in from United States  (24.18.nnn.nnn)

deano, thanks! thats exactly what I was lookin' for. not that I really *like* to see in legalese that seattle SMC regards skateboards alongside "toys", but oh well, its better to be fully educated on the RCWs and SMCs the next time I run into a cop like this one, in that kind of scenario--and I can see it happening again soon. Amos, no this doesn't really occur too often, I think most of the cops have tolerated it in the past, looked the other way, etc...but I can definately see trying to put through legislation to get something going like Portland has...

 
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Seattle Laws
On 5/26/2006 Deano wrote in from United States  (209.181.nnn.nnn)

Here are the Seattle Ordinances regarding skateboarding...


SMC 11.40.250 Playing in streets.

No person upon roller skates, or riding in or by means of any coaster,
skateboard, toy vehicle or similar device, shall go upon the roadway
of any arterial street or transit coach route, except while crossing
such street at a crosswalk; or engage in any sport, amusement or
exercise or play in the roadway of any street.


SMC 11.40.255 Use of skateboards or roller-skates on sidewalk
or public path.

Every person using a skateboard or roller-skates upon any sidewalk or
public path shall use the same in a careful and prudent manner and at
a rate of speed no greater than is reasonable and proper under the
conditions existing at the point of operation, taking into account the
amount and character of pedestrian traffic, grade and width of
sidewalk or public path, and condition of surface, and shall obey all
traffic-control devices. Every person using a skateboard or
rollerskates upon a sidewalk or public path shall yield the
right-of-way to any pedestrian thereon.

 
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Seattle adn Toys
On 5/26/2006 Deano wrote in from United States  (209.181.nnn.nnn)

Peters,

There is no RCW that calls skateboards toys but there is a Seattle ordinance which addresses the issue. About 20 years ago I was placed in the back of a cruiser and forced to read the law. Whether or not a crosswalk for a bike path constitutes a "roadway" is the question.

Tad, Dennis and Danno have received tickets for this within the City limits of Seattle. I think Tad's was $110.

 
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seattle skateboarding
On 5/26/2006 amos wrote in from United States  (68.105.nnn.nnn)

have you run into this often? i've just transfered to uw, and i've heard good stories and bad stories about seattle cops. it hurts me when they don't care about the cyclists - being both, i don't understand why skateboarders are still looked down upon while wearing more protection and generally (in my experience, at least with my friends) being safer than your everyday ride your bike around towners.

get in touch.

 
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and I thought Seattle was progressive
On 5/26/2006 peters wrote in from United States  (64.236.nnn.nnn)

I was about to longboard across a controlled intersection yesterday with a large group of bikes, on my standard commute path, which this day was being controlled by a single police officer as part of a burke-gilman trail "detour" route just north of the Fremont bridge. We were all in the designated "bike lane" on one side, crossing the street in a straight line to where the "bike lane" continued.

Well, this particular officer stopped me, and said I couldn't ride across the street with the bikes, instructing me to instead cross another pedestrian crosswalk, then ride the sidewalk (which is obviously safer of course, slaloming inches between pedestrians and inches from the openings of businesses...) When I asked him if this is based on a Washington State RCW, he just said my skateboard was a "toy and not a vehicle" then after I had crossed the crosswalk and waiting my turn for the next light (I had to make an "L" shaped path to make it across the road now) he barked to me across the intersection "...the ordinance is called 'playing in the street'..." I just looked at him, knowing karma typically takes care of things like this.

But does The MAN have a case here? I've googled and looked through WA RCW's and can't find where bike commuter lanes restrict skateboards from use. I have seen the verbage "toy" versus vehicle on smaller ordinances, like campuses, but not the state street laws. I know in Portland OR the thinking is highly progressive, and there are actually designated *skateboard* commuter lanes...

 
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yeah
On 5/14/2006 Billy Cash wrote in from United States  (68.105.nnn.nnn)

Yea but shes not a rent a cop man shes the owner of the mobohome park and I was trust passing. W/e she is gay I think I am going to get a bunch of my friends together and just walk though there while holding our sk8 boards and she cant do nothing about it because we wernt sk8ing. People can just be asses these days.

 
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yeah
On 5/11/2006 rebel sk8er wrote in from United States  (68.102.nnn.nnn)

what a bunch of pussy who cares skate anyway. Dont be listening to some damn
rent-a-cop.

 
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People hate sk8ers why
On 5/8/2006 Billy Cash wrote in from United States  (68.105.nnn.nnn)

Yea just today I was skating this mobohome park that has this dranage ditch that doesnt have a fence or anything and this lady that owns the park told me what i was doing in her park. I told her I was skating and having some fun thats all.And then she goes off on me telling me she will press charges on me and says Whats your name and I told her my name. I then told her I will leave and I am sorry for skating in her park. But I don't think she heard me because she interupted me and told me she called the cops and what I was doing was rude. I really don't care if she did or didn't call the cops because I know that most people see sk8ers as punks looking for trouble. And I really don't want sk8ing to be like that but thats how people see sk8ing. I was nice to the lady but she was just plain rude to me and she asked for my name address phone number and age. I was totally mad that she asked for this because It wasnt nessary and I told her I would leave and never come back which I would. I sk8 at this spot for months and this lady is just now realizing that I was sk8ing there. It doesn't matter what type of sk8ing you are doing people are just jerks to sk8ers. I love to sk8 sk8 parks but I just find that the street is better to sk8 than most parks. Idk why i just like it more. I get yelled at all the time for sk8ing certain places. I just leave peacefully and I don't come back if they ask me not to. Another thing you don't want to do is jump over a fence to sk8 somewhere because u can get into alot of trouble.

 
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looppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppp
On 5/8/2006 gtfyrtfg wrote in from United States  (67.43.nnn.nnn)

sut up

 
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Parents won't let me street skate
On 5/7/2006 Billy Cash wrote in from United States  (68.105.nnn.nnn)

Where do u live jeffrey.

 
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PARENTS WONT LET ME STREET SKATE
On 5/7/2006 Jeffrey wrote in from United States  (65.185.nnn.nnn)

I was skating downtown and some cops pulled up and took me and my friends boards. I have to go to court to get it back. My parents talked to the cops and they told her it was illeagal to skateboard anywhere on private/government property. Now my parents wont let me street skate. MY SUMMER IS GOING TO SUCK! how can i get them to let me skate? please help me!

 
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Don't be Jelous
On 4/20/2006 Squid wrote in from United Kingdom  (82.138.nnn.nnn)

Just to tease you yanks...in this country it is illegal to ride on the pavement - that’s it!!! There are certain designated areas that are out of bounds - private property is the general rule (I.E no skating down the stairs of someone’s office block!) but apart from that I can skate down a big hill and there isn't a damn thing leagally they can do about it...It's an unmoterised vehicle that would be dangerous on the pavement - in saying that having a big gob(English slang for mouth) has meant a few run in's with the Old Bill (English slang for the coppers) where they try and give me grief, if my usual argument doesn't work I point out that if they saw me cruising the pavements at 25+ MPH they would really have a problem with that and they tend to leave it - even had an old bill want to try the board! As for security guards over here they haven't got any power and most importantly no guns!!! Maybe you guys should start to point out to people with guns that it is not there right under the American constitution that they can own a gun for any other reason than raising a militia against the government and if they do own a gun for another reason well that’s not constitutional but Federal, maybe if you could get guns taken out of the equation those pesky security guards wouldn't be as much trouble....

 
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first run-in
On 4/10/2006 amos wrote in from United States  (72.18.nnn.nnn)

so i had my first run in with the law the other day. skating to my truck from my buddies dorm. 2am-ish. The street i had to cross has a cross street that doesn't directly cross. it's kinda caddy-cornerish. so i check and everything's clear (i knew that there was a cop behind me, but no one else was around) so i skated out onto the street, went down maybe 50yds, and turned into a parking lot. the cop followed me, so i knew he was gonna say something. right as i was about to go down the sidewalk that goes through campus (where he wouldn't be able to get me) the guy flashes his lights. i stopped, and he was real nice, just like "the bars just let out, this prolly isn't the best time to do a move like that." I bs'd at him, but I've had more than a few close calls, and nothing was gonna happen.

o well, just be nice to the cops or else their mean to you.

 
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hi
On 3/31/2006 the awesome wrote in from United States  (205.155.nnn.nnn)

hi

 
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Your school project
On 3/28/2006 Pat Chewning wrote in from United States  (67.189.nnn.nnn)

Yes: Skateboarding should be prohibited in some public places. This should include (but not be limited to):
Tennis courts. Public swimming pools. Freeways. Airport runways. Indoor hallways and offices. Wheelchair ramps. Etc


Like most minor crimes, officers are allowed to use non-deadly force to arrest you. They are not allowed to deliberately destroy your property. Security guards, having less training, are more LIKELY (but perhaps still not allowed by law) to use serious or deadly force. See your state laws on "use of deadly force" or "citizens arrest".

You are taking a serious risk when dealing with security guards, some of whom are attracted to the job because of the power, and like to use it. (My drunk brother-in-law was shot 4 times by a security guard ... It helped him stop his drinking problem, but it also could have killed him.)

You should be able to look up your own state laws on this. Try "google" using keywords like: "trespass" "deadly force" "citizens arrest" "state (list state)" "apprehend"

-- Pat

 
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Should Skateboarding be illegallized in Public Places
On 3/28/2006 Cody wrote in from United States  (66.5.nnn.nnn)

Do you think Skateboarding be illegallized in Public Places? And does anyone know the limits on what a security guard and/or police officer can do when stoping you from Skateboarding in a restricted area? (for example, can a security guard and/or police officer break your board when stoping you from skateboarding where it is not allowed?) Please get respond to this AS SOON AS POSSIBLE, it is for a school report.

 
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General overview of skateboard laws
On 3/25/2006 OldStoke wrote in from United States  (12.75.nnn.nnn)

Is there a website that gives the basic skateboard laws for each state? I know that cities can have their own tougher laws, but is there an easy way to get the basics of the minimum requirement for each state?

 
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redondo outlaw??
On 3/24/2006 peters wrote in from United States  (24.18.nnn.nnn)

wow Pat, guess I was a bonafide criminal at 9 years old!!! hope I wasn't part of the reason for that law at the time ;-) Redondo's my birthplace, and skated the Strand plus just about every alleyway around there with my nephew Mikey circa '76--'80 (easy to be an uncle at the age of ONE when you've got sibs 20 yrs older...)

 
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California Skateboard Law
On 3/24/2006 Pat Chewning wrote in from United States  (67.189.nnn.nnn)

No definition of "skateboard" was found.

Three sections of the law apply:

Click here for link Section 115800: Rules for skateboard parks, limits of liability, etc.

Click here for link Section 21212 : Helmet law for skateboarding.

Click here for link Section 21968 21969 Allows local (city, county) to restrict skateboarding, prohibits motorized skateboarding on roadways.

No definition of "skateboard" was found.

 
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Redondo Beach skateboard law
On 3/24/2006 pat Chewning wrote in from United States  (67.189.nnn.nnn)

You are totally out of luck. Redondo Beach has the MOST restrictive laws I've ever seen for skateboarding. You need to work with your city officials and get these changed. I could not find a definition of a "skateboard" in the law.



Click here for link

12-2.07 Bicycle and skateboard riding.
Bicycle and skateboard riding is prohibited on any portion of any pier, wharf, public area, parking structure, or City-owned property where posted, except as may be otherwise provided for in this Code. (§ 6, Ord. 2192 c.s., eff. April 6, 1977, as amended by § 1, Ord. 2749 c.s., eff. September 14, 1995, and § 1, Ord. 2815 c.s., eff. April 23, 1998)

3-1.03 Prohibited bicycle, skateboard, and roller skate riding on certain sidewalks, ramps, and parking structure areas.
Wherever it is determined by the Council that the riding of bicycles, skateboards, or roller skates on any sidewalk, ramp, or parking structure area within the City creates a hazard to the public, the Council by resolution, may prohibit such bicycle, skateboard, and roller skate riding at specific location by directing the installation of proper signs and notices deemed necessary to properly inform the public of such restrictions. (§ 1, Ord. 2213 c.s., eff. September 14, 1977, as amended by § 1, Ord. 2748 c.s., eff. September 14, 1995)

3-1.04 Riding on sidewalks prohibited.
It shall be unlawful for any person to ride a bicycle, skateboard, or roller skates on any sidewalk properly posted or signed prohibiting such riding. (§ 1, Ord. 2213 c.s., eff. September 14, 1977)

3-1.07 Skateboards, roller skates, and wheeled toys prohibited on bicycle paths.
No person shall use, operate, or leave any skateboard, roller skates, wheeled toy, or device upon any designated bicycle path within the City. (§ 1, Ord. 2213 c.s., eff. September 14, 1977)

3-1.06 Skateboards, roller skates, and wheeled toys prohibited on streets and alleys.
No person shall use, operate, park, or leave any skateboard, roller skates, or wheeled toy upon the traveled way of any public street or alley. Any device used in violation of the provisions of this section may be impounded by the Police Department and returned to the owner under such reasonable conditions as may be established by the Chief of Police. (§ 1, Ord. 2213 c.s., eff. September 14, 1977)

4-9.802 Prohibited activities.
(a) Dogs. Dogs with or without a leash are hereby prohibited on any portion of the area described in this article. Any person permitting a dog to be in said area with or without a leash shall be guilty of a misdemeanor.

(b) Bicycles. It shall be unlawful for any person to ride a bicycle within the area described in this article; provided, however, bicycle riding shall be permitted on any portion of said area designated as a bicycle path.

(c) Skateboards. It shall be unlawful for any person to ride or propel any skateboard or similar device (including roller skates) along, across, upon, or within the area described in this article. [NOTE: Fisherman's Wharf area]

 
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legal definition of a skateboard
On 3/23/2006 Ben wrote in from United States  (24.130.nnn.nnn)

Can anyone post the legal definition of a skateboard in the state of california (more specificly redondo beach). My lil bro got a ticket and i want to see what the state of california conciders a skateboard to be

 
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security guards and cops
On 3/13/2006 joey wrote in from United States  (70.56.nnn.nnn)

i was skateboarding one day at this really nice spot i had just found and a security guard pulled up in a golf cart and started freaking out on me! i knew there were signs that said no skateboarding so i was going to leave when he asked me to. no argument. my friend was recording this on my video camera when it happend. the guard came running up to me saying that he was going to have me arrested and stuff like that. i stood there and listend to what he was saying and i was trying to be polite and everything. he tells me i have to leave and i say ok. but then for no reason he starts threataning me! i have no idea why? i know that you probubly think that im just some kid who wants people to feel sorry for him but this is all true and im not leaving anything out either. he says to my friend who was recording it that he has going to "take that camera and shove it up my butt" i told him that we were leaving and he didnt have to say that. he says "you heard what i said! and some other stuff that i dont really remember becasue i was so shocked that he said that. was it a crime to video tape him? yes i have this all uploaded on the internet if you would like to see it. if you listen to the audio from the tape the last thing he said is "your lucky i dont go over there and break that camera" it wasent even really obvious that he was video taping him.. he was pretty much just holding the camera not even pointing it at him. but anyways i think skateboarders deserve to be treated a little better. i was so polite to him and i didnt really get much of it back.

on an unrelated subject.. if you want to skate a spot then DO NOT HOP A FENCE OR GO THROUGH A GATE TO GET TO IT!!!!!!!!!! trust me.. i got arrested for 2 counts of criminal trespassing and i have to go to court for it on april 4th.
i bet that will look great on a job application or when i try to get into college! anyways i hope i dont get fined or get community service or anything

:(

 
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