Skateboards not a problem on campus

Tyler Soukup, a sophomore in biology, grew up in Ogden and would sometimes skateboard at Weber State University with his friends. People around the campus would harass the group and eventually police would arrest him, just for skateboarding. Now, Soukup skates to class at the U and doesn't have to worry about the long arm of the law, their choke holds, and handcuffs.

Unlike most campuses and public city areas, the U allows skateboarding and longboarding. Students, for the most part, don't seem to mind the boarders and police are generally OK with the practice as long as certain rules are followed. The rules include: being cautious, giving pedestrians the right of way, not exceeding a speed of 10 miles per hour and not riding in buildings, on campus structures or over landscaped areas.

"Walking sucks," Soukup said. "I get pissed when I'm walking and think how much faster, easier and (more fun) it would be on a skateboard."

Many students take advantage of the U's skater-friendly routes to class. Sidewalks take you all the way from the dorms to any building on campus.

"There are ramps everywhere, you don't have to worry about stairs," said Jon Ramanujam, an undeclared sophomore.

The campus is also a safer place to ride, opposed to the streets in the Avenues or around the capitol, for example.

"The U is the best place to ride because there's no car traffic to deal with," said Devin Deaton, a junior in marketing.

Skateboarders and longboarders use the campus even when they're not headed to class. Why wouldn't they? They can ride any path through the university, end up at the stadiums TRAX station, take it back up to either Fort Douglas or the Hospital and repeat. It's not uncommon to see boarders riding TRAX at 11 p.m. to get a few more runs in. Whether you've been on a board since you could walk or you want to finally try it, everyone can appreciate what the U offers skateboarders and longboarders: a safe, fun and convenient place that doesn't carry the penalty of a fine or being locked up.

Original Source Daily Utah Chronicle, Jessica Dunn

Piper City "ramps up" unused tennis courts

Piper City's little-used tennis court could be the site of "ramped-up" activity as the result of village board action on Wednesday.

In response to a request by about a dozen parents and children, the board agreed to dedicate one of the village's two tennis courts to skateboarding.

Parent Matt Johnson, 40, himself a one-time youthful skateboarder in Clifton and Bradley before settling in Piper City, served as spokesman for the group. The appeal followed recent confrontations between skateboarders and police acting to enforce a village ordinance against skateboarding on sidewalks. Business people, apparently fearing liability, had also asked that police chase skateboarders out of their parking lots.

The board said village insurance already covers persons injured on park playground equipment and noted the same coverage would extend to skateboarders.

"Jump boxes," which had been previously confiscated and stored in a village warehouse will be returned to the skateboarders for use in their new venue.

Original Source: Daily Journal, Il. by Mike Lyons

City of Vacaville lays the smack down on skaters

New restrictions could be in store for skateboarders in Vacaville after a city commission's ruling Tuesday night. By a 5-1 vote, the Community Services Commission backed a proposed ordinance, which would bar skateboards from some sections of sidewalk and other areas where they could compromise the safety of pedestrians. Commissioner Katherine Jordan cast the dissenting vote.

City code already prohibits bicycle riding in front of schools, stores or "buildings used for business purposes," according to a city staff report. The Vacaville Business Improvement District has asked for similar restrictions on skateboarding, the report explained, as businesses have reported safety hazards like near-miss collisions between walkers and skateboarders.

Also according to the report, there was a need to revise and update existing city code to "address contemporary skateboarding issues" and to include facilities that were not around or not problematic when the rules were adopted.

If the City Council adopts the ordinance, skateboarding would not be allowed at the city's three community centers, Town Square, the transit plaza, in park-and-ride lots, on sidewalks in business districts, and in parks unless on a path or a road. The city manager could also ban skateboards from sidewalks and walkways adjacent to businesses if he finds that is necessary to ensure public safety.

Arguing against the ordinance, resident Mike Lee said "I think it's not public safety, its a lack of tolerance that brought this on." Lee's son, 14-year-old Taylor, said sidewalks "are much better for beginners" than the city's skate park.

Frank Chavez, whose children are avid skateboarders, said, "I do understand the city's concern for the safety of the public." However, he and Lee questioned whether there were sufficient facilities in the city to accommodate its skateboarding population.

"Depending on the enforcement, I think you're going to have a lot of frustrated teenagers," Chavez said.

Commission Chair Pamela Greaves said if skateboarders are using the sidewalks to recreate, they need to find a more appropriate place. Like Goldberg, she emphasized that "the ordinance is not to ban skateboarding everywhere."

The proposal will be forwarded to the City Council with the commission's endorsement.

Original Source: The Vacaville Reporter, Jennifer Gentile