Lake Placid- Long boarders and skate boarders have had a constant struggle with the local police. A struggle between the kids’ desire to shred around town and the local police’s responsibility to keep people safe. Kids have been yelled at, threatened with tickets and even arrest for riding on sidewalks, in the roads or at night.
Some police officers will yell at a rider for something that the next officer won’t, creating confusion of what is and isn’t allowed. Since it’s the long boarders’ responsibility to abide by the laws, it’s important to know what they are. The laws centered on skateboarding vary from state to state and town to town.
Kids constantly get yelled at and in trouble for riding on the sidewalks of Main Street. During the summer on any given day, you can walk by an officer yelling at local kids. This is silly since our town has a well-stated law displayed on signs that are littered around town which say, “No bikes, skates or skateboards” These signs are found on the sidewalks of Main Street between the town hall and where Saranac Ave. intersects Mirror lake drive. Skaters caught on the sidewalk could be charged with fines between $10.00-$250.00 as well as being charged with disorderly conduct.
On the state level there are more laws that are not so well known. Skaters must abide by nearly the same traffic laws motorized vehicles are responsible for. This may come as a surprise to some but it is a law, so wait for the green light when going through an intersection!
Night is the best time for long boarding in town. There are much fewer cars and it is quieter, so we are able to hear when a car is coming. This makes our chances of getting hit far less. There are also fewer people walking, running or using other recreational devices so the danger of injuring someone else or ourselves is far less. Night is usually much cooler so it is far more enjoyable hiking hills and pushing around. Although it is much safer to long board at night, the police often threaten us with tickets saying it is against the law to skate at night, with no explanation. New York State law states that no person shall skate or glide on a skateboard between sunset and sunrise unless he or she is wearing reflective, light or bright colored material or clothing that is visible.
Riding through town, there are cars and people all over the place. At most times it is pretty hectic and once in a while you will see kids grabbing on to the backs of cars or pushing off them to propel themselves forward. Although this seems smart to some kids, New York State legislatures disagree. It’s against New York law to hold on the back of any motorized vehicle.
Skaters and long boarders often ride next to each other when going from one place to another. Whether riding like this is legal or not is often discussed among skaters. New York legislatures have too. It is legal for two skaters to ride next to each other on the road unless a vehicle is passing them.
Although skating is a controversial activity in Lake Placid and one officer may yell at you for one thing that the next will not. Understanding the laws will prevent some future ticketing and arrest for this fast and fun activity.
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