It's Energy Efficient and It's Against the Law

At Monday's (4/20/09) Bemidji City Council meeting, Ryan Schwingler, Bemidji State University Student Senate Co-President read a Resolution the Student Senate had passed. It asked the Council to review the City's ban on skateboards and rollerblades in the city and especially on university property. His request got a somewhat cool response.

That could be because Chapter 24, Subsection 24-52 of the City Code was enacted in part at the university's request. The Ordinance was enacted in 1986 (I believe) in response to the damage the university was experiencing on their many concrete ledges, stairs, and benches and specifically describes the campus area that is verboten.

Skateboard means a wheeled, self-propelled device designed to transport a rider in a standing position, which device is not otherwise secured to a rider's feet or shoes.

Over the last 20 years, acceptance of "wheeled, self-propelled devices" and their users has increased. A local elementary physical education class has begun teaching skateboarding to encourage physical activity and the City is poised to construct a new skate park as part of the renovation of City Park. The local skateboarder group worked hard to convince the Council and the Park and Trail Commission to take their request for a skate park seriously by raising over $100,000 to contribute to the park.


Some communities have opted to install skateboard deterrents on public space furniture, walls and ledges to reduce liability and damage. I took these pictures in downtown Rochester last week. Note the "stop grind" metal protrusions on the granite ledges.

In spite of the increased acceptance of skateboarders and the opportunities they provide for alternative transportation and great outdoor activity, until the university decides they want to lift the ban on campus, it seems doubtful that the City Council will initiate any change.