Skateboarding now permitted on downtown streets (VIDEO)

Since the early 1990’s, the City’s bylaw did not allow skateboarders on streets within the
downtown core and if caught, officers were permitted to confiscate skateboards.

Recognizing the growing number of people that use skateboards as a mode of transportation, The City of Victoria has made changes to the Streets and Traffic Bylaw, now allowing skateboard use on downtown streets.

Skateboarding on sidewalks remains off limits across the city.

The bylaw allows the use of a skateboard, roller skates, in-line skates, or a non-motorized scooter on City streets with an expectation that users will adhere to the same rights and responsibilities as a cyclist.

Like cyclists, warnings or tickets including fines can be issued. An additional change to the Parks Regulation Bylaw also allows the use of skateboards and similar devices on roads in parks and along designated paths.

The same rules of the road apply in the parks. The fines under the Streets and Traffic Bylaw are $125, while fines under the Parks Regulation Bylaw range from $100 to $125.

Now that people can ride a skateboard on downtown streets, here are some rules the City encourages skateboarders to follow:

• Ride as close to the right side of the street as you can or in a bike lane if one is available
• People riding skateboards on streets must operate in the same way cyclists do
• Sidewalks are for walking. No skateboarding on city sidewalks or in crosswalks is permitted at any time
• Ride single file not side by side
• People riding skateboards must keep at least one foot on the skateboard at all times and only have one person on the board
• Skateboarders must wear lights when skateboarding at night time or when it’s dark out
• Helmets are also encouraged

As part of the City’s promotion of safe skateboarding, free LED lights can be picked up at City Hall.