As a skateboarder, your main responsibility is to ensure your own safety, as well as the safety of the people around you, may it be pedestrians or other riders like you.
Generally, skateboarding in public places is legal, but skateboarding on busy streets is not legal at all. You are not just endangering yourself, but also other people that can be affected once an accident happens.
What about on sidewalks? Is it illegal to skateboard on the sidewalk? Skateboarders cannot be arrested by just simply skateboarding on the sidewalk unless they break other laws. But not wearing any protective gear such as a helmet is subject to fines and other charges.
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Skateboarding Laws
Can you skateboard on the sidewalk? Like other riders, skateboarders are permitted to skate on the sidewalk as long as other pedestrians are yielded to and taken into consideration.
Be mindful of warning signs on the streets and always practice checking the local bylaws for other skateboarding concerns.
There is no special license needed to comply with state rules as a skateboarder. Even if you are riding on your skateboard, you are still treated as a pedestrian.
If there is no sidewalk available, skateboarders should take the left side of the road, facing traffic for their own safety and protection.
It is illegal to skate without a helmet. Your safety is the state’s top priority. You will be fined accordingly if you are found guilty of violating this skateboarding law.
In some states, only 12 years old teens and older individuals are allowed to skate in public places. There are also local bylaws that have restrictions regarding the time and place where skateboarders are allowed to skate.
Skateboarding in itself is not illegal, but if you are found guilty of violating one of the following laws, you will be charged accordingly.
- Trespassing
- Not following local bylaws and restrictions regarding skateboarding
- Violating curfew hours
- Skating in “No Skating” zones and areas
- Vandalism
- Assault
- Refusal to listen to law enforcement
Rules of Skateboarding
Some basic skateboarding rules include keeping yourself safe while skating and keeping others safe while you are skating around or near them. Be responsible for your actions while riding on your skateboards.
Always wear protective gear
It is your responsibility to always wear protective gear before riding on your boards. Always wear a safety helmet that fits you well to protect your head from serious head trauma and injuries if you fall accidentally.
For added protection, wear wrist guards, knee pads, elbow pads, closed shoes, and goggles or shatterproof glasses for your eye protection.
Prioritize your safety while on a ride
For your safety, aside from wearing protective gear, you should also, at all costs, follow the safety rules regarding skateboarding. Some of these rules include:
- Do not ride on busy streets
- Do not skateboard in wet weather
- Do not skateboard in crowded areas
- Do not hitch a ride from other vehicles
- Do not wear a headset or a headphone while riding on a skateboard
- Follow safety rules in skate parks
Where Can You Skateboard Legally
No matter where you are located, there are always skating-friendly places that can be found in your area. These are places where you can legally practice skateboarding and perform your tricks and stunts.
Skate parks
If you are living in a city, there are always skate parks available near you where you can enjoy riding your skateboards with your friends.
Indoor skate parks
Most indoor skateparks ask for fees usually higher than those of outdoor skate parks. But an indoor skate park is an answer if you need to practice some tricks but the weather outside is not fine at all.
Empty garage
This is only applicable for people who have an empty garage, wide enough to do some skateboarding routines. Your garage is definitely a legal place to skateboard with your friends.
Conclusion
Is it illegal to skateboard on the sidewalk? It depends on the local bylaws that your state is implementing. But, generally, sidewalk skateboarding is not illegal. Nevertheless, the best thing to do is to comply with the local rules and laws at all times for your safety and protection.
I hope this article gives you enough knowledge of basic skateboarding laws and rules. Please feel free to comment your opinions about it. Be a law-abiding citizen and follow the rules. Ride safe, everyone.
Hi, I am Charles Harris. I opened this site to write as much as I can about my biggest passion – skateboarding!
I started as a clumsy yet passionate rookie 10 years ago to now a still passionate yet much better skateboarder! But I have to tell you, the whole journey has always been fun and rewarding, indeed not without hardship.