Slide Jam Advice
Hey guys,
Thinking of throwing a small slide jam slash beginners learn to skate day.
I know that unmarked roads of up to 50 kmphr are susposedly ok to skate by law during daylight hours, however I was wondering if these laws got less reliable with an "event" of mab 20 - 40 people? As in, if local residents complained, would police arrive and break up the event? If so, how has this been planned around in the past, some form of council approval perhaps, or just planning a back up hill?
Cheers,
Nick
Views: 319
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Nick Harding on
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Very unreliable, cops come with just 2-3 people on some occasions depending on the locals, with a lot of jams, most aren't council approved as the streets are highly residential and can't be closed, go to a suitable hill with little traffic, talk to the locals and ask if they're ok with it, even at jams where the entire street supported the jam we've had cops and every slidejam I've been to there's been cops show up, some within 10 minutes, it's your actions so don't be stupid around cars, don't be loud and don't leave rubbish.
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Permalink Reply by Adrian Alderson on
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Although it is legal to ride on roads up to 50kph with no divider/line it is also the law that you have to stay in your own lane. as soon as you cross the centre of the road they can fine you and often will.
One way to keep the cops out of your event is to not publically advertise it. Cops scan Facebook and this site for things they should know about and check them out. Keep it private.
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ASRA AdminPermalink Reply by Bugs on -
Skaters are no more than pedestrians in the eyes of the road rules, and just as it makes no sense for pedestrians to have to stay in "their own lane", so too there is no requirement for skaters to stay in any particular lane.
The issue with the police is that they're likely to see what you're doing as "wrong" without worrying (or knowing) about the legality of it. You have a better understanding of the relevant laws than they are likely to, but they're the ones with the guns. Also, the police get nervous seeing a mob of 20-40 people hanging around in an otherwise quiet place, and they're likely to want to break it up regardless of any skating that may or may not be happening.
Of course there are always exceptions - some cops have enough personal confidence not to feel threatened by a group of people having fun in the street, and therefore they react positively instead of fearfully/negatively. Hope that you get some of those.
Adrian Alderson said:Although it is legal to ride on roads up to 50kph with no divider/line it is also the law that you have to stay in your own lane. as soon as you cross the centre of the road they can fine you...
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Bugs,
I have to disagree here, we have been told on a number of occasions that although it is legal to ride Mt Stuart it is not legal to cut the corners or cross the centre of the road and that a penalty of dangerous use of a vehicle can be used. I don't know the exact wording (nor do I have time to check it out at the moment) but the road rules basically state that a vehicle must stay on the left hand side of the road.
Cheers
Ado
Bugs said:Skaters are no more than pedestrians in the eyes of the road rules, and just as it makes no sense for pedestrians to have to stay in "their own lane", so too there is no requirement for skaters to stay in any particular lane.
Adrian Alderson said:Although it is legal to ride on roads up to 50kph with no divider/line it is also the law that you have to stay in your own lane. as soon as you cross the centre of the road they can fine you...
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Premium MemberPermalink Reply by Jacko on -
but skaters arent vehicles. they are pedestrians riding toys
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Premium MemberPermalink Reply by sean meaney on -
think outside the box when it comes to spots for a slide jam, access roads to parks which have a closing time or even foot path runs can be awesome for slide jams
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ASRA AdminPermalink Reply by Bugs on -
Ado, you're way too trusting of what the police tell you. You can verify the truth of their claim by reading the Australian Road Rules. Jacko's right - according to the rules, skaters are pedestrians on wheeled toys, and are not vehicles, and so all the rules about what vehicles can and can't do are irrelevant.
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Premium MemberPermalink Reply by Benbro on -
from personal experience,you never know what the reaction of the police will be like,.everytime they come to the hill they are all different people and therefore all react differently,some are abusive,unreasonable and have no interest in anything but finishing your day,others are smiling,pull up and watch for a minute then leave,allowing everything to continue..
when holding a slide jam or any event it is worth always having backup hills if you are moved on,.
as bugs said,the police that arrive to shut down your event dont seem to care about any legalitys,.they are usually responding to a complaint of some sort..often accusing us of other crimes just so we get intimidated and move on quietly.(was recently told by an officer we had been reported to be skateboarding illegally and destroying property.)
i have had quite a few officers not know what the law is and move us on saying that they are going to get back to us about this(obviously after they look into the rules)....i have never had any follow up and actually ring me back,.says somthing about the overall seriousness of your actions.
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Premium MemberPermalink Reply by Dani on -
Ado is correct. At least in South Australia, when wheeled recreational devices are on the road they must use ''due care''. Of course ''due care'' is surely different for a car than it is to a skateboard but it doesn't seem that anybody knows what it is. Crossing a centre line or chopping a corner would certainly qualify though. A few people have been done in SA for it, it's what the Willunga boys went through a year long court case for.
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Premium MemberPermalink Reply by Dani on -
If there are houses on the street, go door knocking and chat to the residents. See what they think of it, if you come across as a rad dude and are someone they can get in contact with and talk to then it should ease there minds (has worked well in the past).
If not, just do it. Every man for himself!
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Premium MemberPermalink Reply by Adam on -
Im sure I've seen the wording from the qld road rules stating the, "stay in your own lane" comment when referring to wheels recreational devices.
But I could be way off the mark. Either way.
Back up hill
Don't put the name of the street on The Internet.
Be super nice to everyone in the street
Come down hard in participants doing the wrong thing, (if you can)
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Permalink Reply by Nicholas Giordano on
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Ok thanks guys lots of useful advice, thanks a lot!
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