Dear Editor:
I can tell that summer is close by because the issues around skateboarding and longboarding are in the North Shore News again. I do not understand parents who encourage their children that they can do anything they want, even the obviously risky activities. How often do we hear, after a young person was killed through risky behaviour, "Well, he died doing what he loved." Was that activity really worth it to give your life? As a consequence maybe the motorist gets the blame in a collision, "because he failed to stop."
In my opinion, longboarding is a recreational activity that has no place on public roads. I don't understand parents who allow their children to use our streets and roads for their playground. I understand completely why our municipal leaders have a hard time making a fair decision about this special interest group of people. I agree with Mayor Richard Walton, that they should form a club like the mountain bikers, and then build their own longboarding facilities - not supported by tax dollars, but perhaps by sponsors.
There is a reason that we have rules of the road which are governed by regulations of the Motor Vehicle Act and ICBC. This brings up the question of legal responsibilities and insurance. The longboarder community should not expect me to pay for this activity through my ICBC premiums, in case of an accident.
The reason we have an age limit for driving is not for the skill of driving a car, but for reaching a certain level of maturity. I question the maturity level of those longboarders who come "schussing" down my road, usually taking possession of both lanes, especially when they are in groups of four or more. When a longboarder rides downhill he/she controls the speed by weaving sideways, back and forth, all over the lane. If I am driving uphill in the opposite lane, and the boarder hits a groove in the road and ends up under my car before I can stop, I would feel terrible about it.
Michael Stichnoth, North Vancouver
