In Peterborough, it is illegal for modes of transportation like skateboards or rollerblades to be used on public streets or sidewalks. Sidewalk prohibition is obvious, but on the streets I suppose it can only be for the person's own safety. After all, in a fight between a skateboarder and a car, the car wins.
But how much different are rollerblades and skateboards from bicycles? Some rollerbladers go as fast or faster than bikes and people carry lots of stuff. Those long skateboards are far from slow, as well. I can see it being a pain for other drivers in a traffic-filled downtown, but as a cyclist, I've been yelled at and almost hit by drivers many times, regardless of how safe I am.
If anything, rollerbladers and skateboarders should be allowed to use the designated bike lanes in town. They are already allowed to use the bike and walking trails, thankfully. But if the argument is that such bans exist for their own safety, then a second look at the by-law is absolutely necessary. The only people who are going to rollerblade or skateboard downtown are those who feel comfortable enough to do it, so they are taking their own risks, similarly to the minority of cyclists in Peterborough who will bike along George Street downtown during rush hour.
But someone who is taking a clean form of transport should not be punished.
Some people might hold a grudge against skateboarders because many of them choose to hang out in one area and do tricks and whatnot. Bans on that are a separate issue, but boarders using streets should not be thrown into the same category. If there are some people who choose to ride on busy sidewalks, then they should be punished because it's dangerous and arrogant. That's why a lot of pedestrians hate cyclists. But it is no reason to ban cycling as a mode of transport.
Cycling and walking are not the only forms of green transport out there and every type should be encouraged, responsibly, to make our cities greener and healthier.
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