New skateboard regulations in Afton

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Skateboarding in Afton has just become a bit stricter.

Afton City Council approved an ordinance d during its Aug. 21 meeting regulating skateboarding within the city.

Earlier this spring City Council members voiced safety concerns over skateboarders and long-boarders going down Afton's roadways at high speeds.

The new ordinance regulates the use of self-propelled devices and states:

• No person may attach a rider of any self-propelled device to any motor vehicle upon a street or roadway;

• People using self-propelled devices may not obstruct any sidewalk, lane, alley, public ground, public landing, wharf or pier, or any other public place by placing any building materials, carriages, carts, boxes, lumber, firewood, posts or rails or any other materials or substances whatsoever to be used as ramps or guides for other skateboards or other self-propelled devices;

• No person may ride or propel a self-propelled device on any sidewalk, public street or public walkway in a manner that endangers or is likely to endanger other persons or property; use of a self-propelled device is forbidden on the private property of another;

• All riders must slow to a speed that is reasonable for conditions of traffic, be able to stop if necessary and yield the right-of-way pedestrians and yield to motor vehicles when crossing roadways; and self-propelled devices may not be operated contrary to the statutory provisions applicable to the operation of bicycles;

• No person in a motor vehicle may closely follow a skateboarder such that a safe distance is not maintained between the vehicle and the skateboarder;

• People using self-propelled devices may not obstruct any public street in a manner that impedes traffic.

There was some discussion, by City Council Member Joe Richter, during last Tuesday’s meeting whether or not the city should regulate bicycles as well, but City Attorney Fritz Knaak said bicycles are already regulated since they are essentially treated like a car.

The ordinance passed with four City Council members casting “yes” votes and Richter casting the sole “no” vote.

Tags: afton city council, news, afton, government