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

Thursday’s Headlines: Veto Oh No Edition

Mayor Adams has gone so far to the right in his quest to retain his office that he's not even listening to his own damn self. Plus other news.

August 14, 2025

Greenway Master Plan Shows the Way … For The Next Mayor

There's a master plan, now all we need is someone to do it!

August 14, 2025

Wednesday’s Headlines: Ostrich Parent Edition

Bradley Tusk and Randy Mastro team up to distract people from the much-harder effort of making streets safe. Plus other news.

August 13, 2025

As Mayor Adams Preps Veto of Minimum Wage Bill, Instacart Boasts ‘Squeezing’ Its Workers

Instacart's months-long campaign against pay parity for grocery delivery workers appears to have borne fruit with a mayor who claims he supports workers.

August 12, 2025

UPDATE: Speeding Senior Driver Kills Self and Two Pedestrians in Astoria, Pols Call for 20 MPH Limit

The Queens crash is another reminder that speed kills — and that the city has the power to lower its speed limit.

August 12, 2025

Vital ‘Lifeline’ or Blatant Ripoff? Instacart Makes Groceries 75% More Expensive

Instacart is arguing that its services are a lifeline to low income New Yorkers, but the app makes groceries 75 percent more expensive.

August 12, 2025
See all posts