Skateboarding has rapidly progressed as a sport since the 1950s. Children of the 1950s through 1970s may remember using a wooden skateboard on the sidewalks as a casual yet effective way to travel to a friend's house. The children of the new millennium most likely have experience watching or participating in skateboarding as an extreme sport. Skateboarding carries the potential for injury, especially head injuries if the skateboarder is not wearing a helmet. Wearing protective gear, following traffic rules and being aware of local municipal codes and laws regarding where skateboarding can take place are all important skateboarding rules that can help prevent injury.
Wear Protective Gear
Perhaps the most important skateboarding safety rule to stand by is to wear protective gear. The Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh states that wearing a helmet, elbow and knee pads, and shoes that are closed--no sandals or bare feet--can protect skateboarders in the case of a collision or fall. Some states, such as Oregon, require the use of a helmet for children under 16 who use a skateboard, while other areas may simply strongly advise riders of the benefits of wearing protective gear. Reflective tape, vests or shoes can also help protect skateboarders in the dark.
Obey Traffic Rules
Skateboarders should obey traffic rules to stay safe while they participate in their sport. Parenting.org, a service of nonprofit organization Boys Town, states that skateboarders are safest when using a designated skate park. If such a facility is not available, safety rules usually dictate that skateboarders ride on the sidewalk and not on the street where motorists may not see them. Similar to bicyclists, people who must skate in the street in the absence of sidewalks should go with the flow of traffic and walk their boards across the street. Skateboarders should observe stop signs and red lights in the same manner as pedestrians do.
Learn Local Laws
Skateboarding safety rules are largely universal regarding traffic laws and protecting one's body, but each area of the country is different. Learning the local laws and municipal codes regarding skateboarding is a must for each person who owns a board. Rules of this kind may vary, but involve areas in which skateboarders are allowed to participate in their sport and ages at which they may be allowed to skate in circumstances such as at a skate park or after dark. Local government buildings, including county courthouses or city halls, house local laws regarding activities such as skateboarding, biking and other recreational activities.
Member Comments