Cyclists versus skateboarders - Opinions accepted here!

[bizutch]

http://www.citizen-times.com/article...text|Frontpage

Here's an excerpt:

ASHEVILLE — Skateboarders would get the right to legally share the road with cars, bicycles and other recognized forms of transportation under a proposal getting City Council support.

The council has directed municipal staff draft an ordinance allowing the wheeled boards in bike lanes and, where they are absent, on the right side of roadways downtown.
Traffic laws would have to be obeyed and helmets would have to be worn. No skating would be allowed before dawn or after dark, according to the proposal.
City Council approved asking staff to draft legislation in a 5-1 vote late Tuesday night. Councilman Jan Davis voted no. Mayor Terry Bellamy was absent.
Advocates say their proposal has nothing to do with “ollies,” “flips,” “grinds” or other skateboarding tricks often done surreptitiously in places such as outdoor stairwells. A ban would remain on that type of riding as would a rule against skateboarding on downtown sidewalks.

[Jeremy R]

Skate and Die man!

Asheville.

[stevew]

fine.

[sanjuro]

Skateboarding is a crime.

[Pesqueeb]

What ever keeps another car off the road is fine by me.

[sanjuro]

On a personal note, I deal with runners and skateboarders in the bike lane, plus the occasional scooter or motorcycle and the less-rare errant car driver.

The runners are totally clueless, assuming being on foot means they are safe from getting hit by a car or interfering with bicycles. That's why I tap them on the shoulder as I pass them, or if they are running towards me, I wave hello putting my hand right at their face.

The skaters are actually not too bad. They roll with the direction of traffic and they are doing about 8-12mph a hour. Any slower and they are on the sidewalk.

But usually the skaters are in the bike lanes at night, no lights or helmets. The helmets are their problem, but no lights could be mine.

And maybe in an area which is relatively flat, this isn't an issue, but with the steep hills of SF, any wheeled vehicle can pick up a lot of speed. I don't think a skaterboarder can put on the emergency brakes like a biker.

[AngryMetalsmith]

On a personal note, I deal with runners and skateboarders in the bike lane, plus the occasional scooter or motorcycle and the less-rare errant car driver.

The runners are totally clueless, assuming being on foot means they are safe from getting hit by a car or interfering with bicycles. That's why I tap them on the shoulder as I pass them, or if they are running towards me, I wave hello putting my hand right at their face.

The skaters are actually not too bad. They roll with the direction of traffic and they are doing about 8-12mph a hour. Any slower and they are on the sidewalk.

But usually the skaters are in the bike lanes at night, no lights or helmets. The helmets are their problem, but no lights could be mine.

And maybe in an area which is relatively flat, this isn't an issue, but with the steep hills of SF, any wheeled vehicle can pick up a lot of speed. I don't think a skaterboarder can put on the emergency brakes like a biker.

Seriously ?

[jdcamb]

Skaters around here like to keep to themselves. I think it's because they all do Heroin and stuff. Almost without exception if the kid has a skateboard he/she is on some dope. Just stay clear and you'll be fine.

[4130biker]

That's why I tap them on the shoulder as I pass them, or if they are running towards me, I wave hello putting my hand right at their face.

I don't think we need to argue trail etiquette. A reasonable rider would avoided this situation.

.....

[rockofullr]

Ok sure, if they start letting me into the public skate park on my MTB

[jackalope]

No love for inline skates?

[jdcamb]

No love for inline skates?

Mostly sex offenders. We hate them too....

[sanjuro]

Seriously ?

Sure.

Yesterday, a runner in the bike lane forced me into the right lane of traffic. While it wasn't exactly life-or-death, there is a reason why there is a bike lane and the sidewalk.

I could yell "GTFO the way", but a light tap seems to get the message across, especially when it shocks the runner. It does highlight to the runner that he/she is totally unaware to his/her surroundings.

I developed the face wave a few weeks ago in Central Park in NYC when a few riders were bombing down hills going the wrong way on the one-way road, coming right at me. I figure if you have no regard for my safety, the least I can do is reach out and touch someone.

For runners coming at me, the same thing. You can see me and the oncoming cars but if you still choose to block my path, the least I can do is wave hello. In every instance, I was the one who had to merge out in traffic.

But just so we are absolutely clear, are you in a regular situation where someone else forces you into oncoming traffic? Tell me how you handle it?

[jackalope]

Mostly sex offenders. We hate them too....

Geez, I bet you also think people who ride recumbents are mostly retired college professors who are such titanic damp caves they won't even drop $5,000 on a Colgano and ride a real bike.

[kickstand]

On a personal note, I deal with runners and skateboarders in the bike lane, plus the occasional scooter or motorcycle and the less-rare errant car driver.

And let me guess, before I even read your post....none of them know the rules of the road?