Police crackdown on skateboarders

if people want to kill themselves that is their business. I am so sick of the uninspired in Dunedin trying to legislate and get rid of skateboarders. Yes, probably if skateboarders are going to use the road they need to kit out with a helmet ...but again, it's their business.
Exactly right Olive, DCC does have to make roads safe for all modes of transportation. How come we dont make people have licenses to drive recreational boats?

There really are some bizarre thoughts coming to light from candidates or existing councillors on the matter of skateboarders.

I have no issue with skateboarders per se, but there must be some consistency in the law and the application of the law. Why should a cyclist have to wear a helmet and carry and use lights during darkness when a skateboarder doesn't?

If a skateboarder is not allowed to use the footpath, then why doesn't the cop running the speed cam mufti van on Stuart Street near Littlebourne stop the young skateboarders zipping down the footpath past the van?

Skateboarders often place themselves at unnecessary risk and put other road users at risk by their actions, but it does seem that the law allows them a great deal of "freedom" that other road users don't have.

In response to candidate Olive McRae, who asserts that youth in Dunedin have little to do, then she clearly has no idea of the multiplicity of amateur sports clubs that offer rewarding exercise in either team or individual environments. Go and have a look, Olive.

I am glad to see that the law prevents the police from stopping skateboarders using the roads, as they, like everyone else has the right to use our roads.
We as a society have taken to persecuting all forms of non-petroleum transportation.
I think that skateboarding is a fantastic way for youth (and others) to engage in physical activity rather than using cars.
If we want skateboarders to act in a safe manner, then we to must take some responsibility. The DCC must make our streets safer for all road users, not just cars.
There is very little in our community for youth to do, and skateboarding is one physical activity that should be supported.
It's about education, and providing skaters with positive options. We as a community have successfully pushed skaters of the footpaths and onto our roads, so it's now up to us to make sure that we provide safe options for skaters on our roads.
More focus on cycle/ skate lanes in our city planning, would go some way in addressing this problem.

Regards
Olive McRae

Candidate for central ward

The skateboarders are not half as dangerous on the road as the cyclist and joggers skipping and ignoring traffic and road signs. Amazing how people will complain about nonsense, but are willing to ignore pedestrian crossings and signs to go out jogging or cycling.

Recently I was followed down Warrender St by a guy on a skateboard. He went round the sharp bend on the wrong side of the road, crouched on the board to get maximum speed. I was at the lights at the bottom of the hill when he came round the corner, and he was going fast enough that he shot past me while I was still sitting at the red light, through the intersection onto Georgia street without slowing down or looking for cars. Of course he had no safety gear on. Deathwish?