SKATEBOARDERS could be fined up to £500 each for skating in Darlington’s new-look town centre.
Darlington Borough Council has proposed the ban after receiving complaints from the public.
Shoppers have complained that the skaters could injure shoppers and damage the surface of the newly-laid Pedestrian Heart.
Northern Echo: Skaters warned: Stay out of centre or face £500 fine
The story seems to suggest that the main reason for the ban is because of safety concerns, and this seems to be how the disability group see it: “Skaters can really cause damage. They really put off partially-sighted people, and people in wheelchairs from coming to the town centre. There are places for skateboarders to go and that’s where they should be. I would really like the same rule to be introduced for cyclists. They are just as big a problem.”
However, sources at the council have confirmed to Darlington Cycling Campaign that the only reason for the ban is the fear of damage being caused to steps and stonework which, obviously, responsible cycling would not cause. Also, as cycling is a form of transportation whilst skateboarding is purely recreational, there is a significant difference between the two.
“There are places for skateboarders to go and that’s where they should be. I would really like the same rule to be introduced for cyclists.”
So that’s it, then. Cycling is just a recreational activity, and we should do it in a cycle park.
Skaters should only be allowed in the skete park. Bikes should only be allowed in a bike park.
We’ve loads of car parks…
We’ve loads of car parks…
hahaha!!!!
Cycles have brakes, I’m not aware that Skateboards have, I think an emergency stop on a skateboard consists of jumping (or falling) off and the board being propelled twice as fast as a projectile in a foreward direction!