Longboarding Legal

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Comment by Ben Wa on December 5, 2010 at 19:34

sorry i did not explain enough: 'home content' usually covers you when riding your push bike on the road (3rd party). I think the same applies to roller blades & skateboards. Maybe I'm wrong. I'll ask the insurer.

Comment by Colby on December 5, 2010 at 18:54

Ben, I'm pretty sure if you keep your board locked inside your house it will be covered. However if you are particularly concerned, then have it listed on your insurance policy. It shouldnt cost any extra to have this done, and will definately cover you. Talk to your insurance company about it.

Comment by Colby on December 5, 2010 at 18:37

The reason for closing roads is to allow it to be legal, not an admission of reclessness or danger.
Reg 241 (1) A person travelling in or on a wheeled recreational device or wheeled toy on a road—
(b) must not travel alongside more than 1 other pedestrian or vehicle travelling on the road in the same direction as the person, unless the person is overtaking other pedestrians

It would be a bit hard to start a race without breaking this rule.
The purpose for a rule change should be about being able to skate to the local shop on the road without getting a fine, not about holding street races... I dont think races should ever be legal on an open public road.

Premium Member Comment by matti rae on December 5, 2010 at 18:14

i dont think that closing roads for legitimate events is suggesting we are "unsafe", its more that you cant run a legitimate race if being disrupted by other road users... cyclists close the roads during a road race and the safety of them using the roads outside that area does not attrack police attention just because there is a race somewhere else... im not saying we are or ever will be equal to cyclists, just that closing a road for races should not be a sign that we are being "unsafe"...

Comment by Guff on December 5, 2010 at 15:42

If you think that alerting local authorities councils, police MP's etc to the need for road closures you are shooting yourself in the foot. Why do you need road closures if longboarding is safe you would have to say that what we do is dangerous and that we need road closures. The police will then fine or arrest you for riding outside of these closures. What is wrong with keeping it how it is don't post up run locations and maybe back off some public runs. There was mention in another discussion about drag racing and how they have facilities due to illegal drag racing. Hate to say it but drag strips have been around for a very long time and illegal drag racing does not help their cause. Look at what happens if you are caught drag racing on the streets now if you injure or kill someone you are going to jail. My wife can get on a bike and ride safely down a hill can she do the same if riding a longboard? Skateboards will never have equal rights as bicycles don't waste your energy as what will happen is you will be banned from riding on the road permanently. The laws as they are now probably haven't been looked at for 20 years don't give them reason to change them.

Comment by Ben Wa on December 5, 2010 at 13:33

I'm looking at getting a House Content insurance. Is it worth investigating if the "wheeled recreational devices" (skateboards!) are well covered. Has anyone successfully claimed a third party compensation with such insurance?
Cheers
btw I live in Queensland.

Comment by Matt 'Manchild' Ryan on December 4, 2010 at 15:37

shit needs to change! i got a $56 for rolling along the road next to the beach in byron bay today. empty 1 way road...the cops sped up to pull me over and charge me with 'being within 2 metres of a vehicle on the road.' the kiwi's have it sweet! bikes and skate boards are classified under the same laws. thats what we should aim for broos

Comment by Colby on December 4, 2010 at 8:58

For those who dont know here are the road rules for the different states.
VIC
NSW
SA
QLD
Basically the same amongs all states, so basically there is your legal standpoint.

No doubt that road closure is the safest for all, to be able to ride on roads otherwise prohibited by the rules above. However road closures need permits and planning well in advance of the actual event, making it expensive and reducing freedom.

What if you were able to ride on these restricted roads with escort at any time of the day... ie. an escort vehicle in front and behind with signage to indicate "skateboarders on road" so both on-coming and following traffic know of the potential hazzard. The escort cars would also be more inept at reading skatebaorders movements leaving enough space infront/behind which you might not get if it were jo blogs behind you.

Its about making regulations to encompass the safety rather than be a bunch of law breakers.
If the precedence of SA turns out to be a nasty one, wouldnt it be better to be able to ride the roads legally rather than illegally? I'd rather agree on regulations which are fair rather than be totally outlawed with massive fines.
Dedicated downhill parks isn't going to happen, there just isnt the damand for the $ outlay, and you can't practice unless the road is closed. The sport is missing out on so much potential in my opinion. A few more rules may actually mean alot more freedom.

Comment by Brenton Aylward on December 4, 2010 at 1:29

Street skating was underground for decades before any laws were put in place about what a skateboard actually was, now days there are skate parks in almost every locality in Australia, if this happens to longboarding, fantastic. I vote we stay under the radar and out of harms way for as long as possible. I don't want a bell, reflectors and a handbrake on my longboard just to make it street legal and i actually like the idea of this growing as an underground sport. If society wants to embrace this movement into the legal system, let them come to us.

Comment by Pitbull Productions on December 3, 2010 at 22:55

I gotta say, i think the shit down south could quite easily become the bad precedent we have all been fearing , things have been cool so far , if anyone truly thinks we will ever have the same rights as a bike/pedestrian your dreaming , timed closure of roads is the go. its the only way forward , that is what everyone should be focusing on , just my two cents !

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