UrbanSkaters

The law on skating is considered a gray area here in the UK.  Mostly because existing laws and books relating to the subject were produced before the time of modern inline skates.  When rollerskates were nothing more than toys for children.  I still remember my first skates!!

Unfortunately inline skating still hasn’t been properly recognised as a form of adult transportation, like a bicycle.  Which means that inline skaters fall into that gray area of the law, where you are neither a road user nor a pedestrian.  So what can we do about this?

A group of friends street skating through London.

In short, just play it by ear.  When you are skating on the pavement, skate at the speed of the pedestrians, be courteous and polite at all times.  If you’re told to get off the pavement by a police officer, either remove your skates and walk or get on the road.  While skating on the road, you must behave like a road user and obey the traffic laws.  Again, if you’re asked to get off the road by the police, either remove your skates and walk or skate on the pavement.

More advice:

• Take an inline street course before attempting a street skate on your own.
• Join one of the mass-participation (group) skates.  They are FUN and SAFE!
• If you skate at night, wear something fluorescent and maybe even a helmet light. 
• Avoid skating on the roads during busy periods or at night. 
• Never skate beyond your abilities when street skating. 
• Stay off private property and save aggressive skating for the skate parks.  
• You WILL fall at some point, so accept this in advance and wear adequate protection.
• Don’t take chances with pedestrians, be polite and courteous at all times.
• Remember: Some cities and local parks have by-laws prohibiting skating of any kind.

It took many years for cycling to be accepted as a method of transportation for adults.  Cyclists are still treated by some as a menace to the streets today.  So even if the law does eventually change in our favour, we still need to convince the general public that we aren’t a menace. 

For now just enjoy the freedom, health benefits and fun that inline skating offers.