SKATEBOARDS, SKATES AND SCOOTERS
There
is no skateboarding, skating or riding of scooters on
campus grounds. Once on campus riders should
carry or walk with their equipment. The Bike Barn has
secured racks and storage for skateboards, skates and
scooters.
Below are website listings for skate parks in and around
the Bay Area.
S.F, Berkeley, Half Moon Bay, Hayward, Redwood City, San
Leandro, Menlo Park:
Bay
Area Bike Trails
Daly
City
Pacifica
YMCA
Millbrae Skate Park
ENVIRONMENTAL HAZARDS
Irregular riding surfaces account for over half the skateboarding
injuries due to falls. Before riding, skateboarders should
screen the area where they will be riding by checking
for holes, bumps, rocks and any debris. Areas set aside
especially for skateboarding generally have smoother riding
surfaces. Skateboarding in the street can result in collisions
with cars causing serious injury and even death.
THE SKATEBOARD
There are boards with varying characteristics for different
types of riding (i.e., slalom, freestyle, or speed). Some
boards are rated as to the weight of the intended user.
Before using their boards, riders should check them for
hazards, such as loose, broken, or cracked parts; sharp
edges on metal boards; slippery top surface; and wheels
with nicks and cracks. Serious defects should be corrected
by a qualified repairman.
PROTECTIVE GEAR
Protective gear, such as closed, slip-resistant shoes,
helmets, and specially designed padding, may not fully
protect skateboarders from fractures, but its use is recommended
as such gear that can reduce the number and severity of
injuries.
Padded jackets and shorts are available, as well as padding
for hips, knees, elbows, wrist braces and special skateboarding
gloves. All of this protective gear will help absorb the
impact of a fall. With protective gear, it is important
to look for comfort, design, and function. The gear should
not interfere with the skater's movement, vision, or hearing.
The protective gear currently on the market is not subject
to Federal performance standards, and, therefore, careful
selection is necessary. In a helmet, for example, look
for proper fit and a chin strap; make sure the helmet
does not block the rider's vision and hearing. Body padding
should fit comfortably. If padding is too tight, it could
restrict circulation and reduce the skater's ability to
move freely. Loose-fitting padding, on the other hand,
could slip off or slide out of position.
TIPS FOR USING A SKATEBOARD
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission offers the
following suggestions for safe skate-boarding:
• Never ride in the street.
• Don't take chances:
o Complicated tricks require careful practice and a specially designed area
o Only one person per skateboard
o Never hitch a ride from a car, bus, truck, bicycle, etc.
• Learning how to fall in case of an accident may help reduce your chances of being seriously injured.
o If you are losing your balance, crouch down on the skateboard so that you will not have so far to fall.
o In a fall, try to land on the fleshy parts of your body.
o If you fall, try to roll rather than absorb the force with your arms.
o Even though it may be difficult, during a fall try to relax your body, rather than stiffen.
