Skip to Content
Streetsblog New York City home
Streetsblog New York City home
Log In
Streetsblog

Skateboard Bans: The “Get Off My Lawn” of Transportation Policies

The municipal skateboard ban is the "get off my lawn" of transportation policies.

Photo: Pixabay
Photo: Pixabay
false

Outright prohibitions of this healthy, cheap, and environmentally friendly form of transportation are common. These laws -- enacted in towns including Lakewood, Ohio, and Atlanta, Georgia -- seem based at least in part on stereotypes applied to people who skateboard, particularly boys and young men. For all that cyclists and pedestrians have to deal with, skateboarding is arguably the most marginalized mode of active transportation.

Network blog Decatur Metro says that's the case in this relatively progressive, inner-ring suburb of Atlanta. An ordinance passed in 2010 not only bans skateboarding but in-line skating and roller skating -- yes, roller skating.

Decatur Metro explains:

Back in 2010, the Decatur City Commission outlawed riding skateboards, kick scooters, rollerskates/blades in downtown Decatur after receiving resident complaints “about skateboarders who disregard pedestrians and cause unsafe conditions on crowded sidewalks and in crowded public areas,” along with damage that was done to the Celebration Statue on the MARTA plaza.

And while the damage to public and private property is inexcusable, the ordinance went far beyond that, making it illegal to ride any of these vehicles in the downtown “pedestrian zone,” which is basically most of downtown Decatur.

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog New York City

Open Street Program in Jeopardy As Mayor Adams Is Not Funding It

Open Streets is running out of money as a key federal grant gets ready to expire, and Mayor Adams isn't coming to the rescue.

April 3, 2025

Thursday’s Headlines: Streetsblog Stew Edition

Booze is back on the menu in outdoor dining set-ups. Plus more news.

April 3, 2025

‘Crashland’: As Demand Grows, DOT Still Won’t Finish Bike Lane on Dangerous Brooklyn Road

"A bike network is only as strong as its weakest link," said a safe cycling advocate about Ashland Place's missing bike lane.

April 3, 2025

Duffy Gives Senate Mixed Messages on ‘Woke’ Transportation Funding

The U.S. DOT secretary says he's drowning under a backlog of grants from the Biden administration — but somehow has time to uncover for its "woke" agenda.

April 2, 2025

Bottoms Up! State Liquor Bigs OK Booze for Outdoor Dining After All

The state swooped in to save the day for outdoor drinking.

April 2, 2025
See all posts