Any decision about skateboards should be made according to how it impacts the core’s journey to vibrancy; that is, a decision should result in an overall positive to the core, as viewed by the individuals already in the core, or those contemplating working or living within it.
What is their practical impact? They are often noisy … on occasion, and on certain surfaces, offending the ear with sharp grating sounds, offending the ear like loud music, continual shouting, or motorcycle and auto engines lacking sufficient muffling.
And what of possible injury to sidewalk pedestrians … as is the case with bicycles on sidewalks? And what of impact with autos? I have witnessed at least two impacts between bicycles and sidewalk pedestrians within the last three years or so, and have seen perhaps only two or three with skateboarders … one being yesterday afternoon -- the pedestrian walked off grumbling … understandably.
If the above are the negatives regarding skateboards, what are the positives? As always regarding rules and laws, the idea of freedom alone is of utmost importance … and a positive .... when it can be achieved, as it is the very stuff of life .. especially to the younger of the species.
The occasional inconvenience of noise, and the increased caution one must observe on the sidewalk is a small price to pay for encouraging life in the core. These young people, while they impart slight negatives in noise and the necessity for sidewalk vigilance, they add life to the core … enjoying their acceptance … accumulating positive memories, and therefore an increased likelihood of their return as adults to work and live in the core.
Just as the “authorities” must on occasion, when a citizen exceeds reasonable levels regarding loud music, motorcycles, autos, or shouting -- offending excessively the ears of surrounding citizens -- force a reduction in what is usually a borderline behavior, the same should be for a habitually unsafe or careless skateboarder, especially after they cause two or three pedestrian injuries.
Perhaps an occasional workshop for skateboarders would be in order; that is, to convey what is desired or expected of them in the core … so that the pressure to restrict the skateboards is held at bay.
If the sidewalks and streets were crowded, as in the forties and the fifties, there would be little room for the boards. Now … it seems appropriate to allow reasonable freedom to these young people who add, overall, a “positive” go the core.
