When the Mammoth Town Council met Wednesday night, they declined to prohibit skateboards on town streets.
Police Chief Dan Watson brought up the issue of potential regulation of skateboards for discussion. He reminded officials and citizens of the death of a visitor when he fell from a skateboard on one of Mammoth’s streets. The Chief reported that this tragic event resulted in on-line discussion about riding skateboards on various roads. The Chief had received complaints.
Chief Watson told the Town Council that the state vehicle code does not prohibit skateboards on streets but local authorities could through an ordinance. Watson said other cities prohibit skateboards on all streets, some streets and sidewalks.
The Chief did point out that skateboarders could face the same kinds of violations as pedestrians such as impeding traffic. Chief Watson made it clear he felt the whole topic was open for discussion.
Nine skateboarders stood up to object to regulation of what for many of them is their only mode of transportation. Wave Rave owner, Steve Klassen, asked for no regulation and said to the Council, “Please don’t take away skateboarding in this town.”
Councilman John Eastman said that accidents do happen, but he was not interested in taking away a way of life and the rights of people to skateboard. Councilman Skip Harvey said he could relate to the sense of freedom, the need for transportation and a physical work out. Harvey did ask the skateboarders in the room to set a safe example for others.
All of the other councilmembers agreed with no prohibition on skateboarders. Mayor Jo Bacon asked for greater public awareness on the need for skateboarders to operate safely.
When did anyone say “eliminate” skateboarding? Not once! Please pay attention – this was always a “safety issue” NOT a “let’s get rid of skateboarders” discussion. My son skateboards too. “Safety” is never a “value” that goes out of style – it is what keeps our town a great place… Read more »
Kaat, that was very well said. Sadly, boorish and rude behavior is now an accepted norm in a society bereft of core values such as compassion and concern for others or even a simple application of the “Golden Rule”. It’s not just limited to young people- they learned it from… Read more »
whats the first thing that pops into your head when someone says mammoth , retirement community or azz kickin best skiing fun capital of the sierras. you party poopers who want to eliminate skateboarding should probably not live in what i consider the greatest resort community in california. roll on… Read more »
Salblaster, You say Mammoth?
I think snow skiing, bankruptcy, illegal aliens, sanctuary city, and high prices.
@ Rob
You read my mind..I would add one thing PENSIONS and overpaid government employees.. Sorry that is 2 things
Even Jerry Brown has jumped on the pension reform bandwagon by saying the state can no longer afford its current retirement system. I think what ever he does won’t be enough and the ship will continue sinking. and there’s probably no saving TOML. Let’s just make sure the rats stay… Read more »
So, skateboarding is a crime, because someone has the potential to get hurt, even killed?? Mammoth embraces all sorts of death defying sporting activities. Skiing, climbing, mountain biking, hiking, etc etc etc. So why outlaw skaters? Yes, they get as wild and crazy but some skiers do too. The skiers… Read more »
Sometimes I feel like I’m getting old, cranky, and closed-minded. But then I read crotchety posts like Wayne’s and Kaat’s…
Skate or die.
Bemused…..wow, so you actually think that someone/anyone calling for “safe” skateboarding and snowboarding is “crotchety”. hmmm…don’t you just mean that the issue of safety is “boring” to those that want to thrill-seek? Most rules that keep us out of harms way are plain old boring topics….but those types of nuts… Read more »
Wow, I’m so impressed. Politicians who didn’t do the automatic knee jerk reaction… well done people!
can’t wait until it snows and you have to put your skateboards to bed until the spring…..then during the winter you can play take-out the tourists and the kids and the “old people” on the mountain with your snowboards….the fun never ends around there for the reckless ones does it?… Read more »
Gosh,it sure sounds like a “fun”vacation spot up there in Mammoth Lakes for the family….tourists and visitors..AND locals having to dodge skateboarders on the streets during the Spring,Summer and Fall….and then,come Winter having to deal with the obnoxious,annoying and unruly snowboarders…both on the slopes during the day, and in the… Read more »
you are hilarious….I’m sure chief watson is concerned that his biggest problem is skateboarders riding their boards around town….what is this world coming to…the horror the horror…I feel pretty good about living in a town where that’s what people are worried about…although, I have to admit, never ONCE has anyone… Read more »
Yeah, I actually don’t like to go skiing much anymore. It’s like a war zone. Skiing used to be just fun. Now it’s like some sort of pissing contest. Who can be the most threatening. I dread the moment when I feel that sudden impact from behind and the last… Read more »
Hey, I’ve been ran into while skiing twice…both times by skiers…neither were youngsters either…not saying there aren’t irresponsible boarders up there, there definately are, but I think your brush is a bid too broad.
Do people who read blogs have an attention deficit disorder?
“…unsafe skiers and boarders …”
Slow down and READ!!!
A news bite from The Sheet reads: “Council skates from prohibition on boards: There’s an immediate loss of innocence one experiences when you contemplate Mr. Ed hitting a pipe. We found this altered sign in the Lakes Basin” Shown is a sign with a horse on a skateboard smoking a… Read more »
Yeah,I guess Steve Klassen would have to find another source of income if that were to happen…..Oh,wait,he DOES have another source of income besides the Wave Rave shop,doesn’t he?
I wonder how long Chief Watson is going to offer up possible solutions to problems his department has to respond to and deal with,only to be shot down by Steve Klassen,and others before he decides the animals are running the zoo up there.
Steve sells skateboards and skateboard parts in his Wave Rave shop – so of course he was going to be negatively impacted in his wallet if the town council moved to limit skateboarding on town streets, sidewalks and bike trails…hmmm. Thank you to Jo Bacon for her idea and we… Read more »
Nor do you lady! Skateboarders win and Kat looses! WAHHHHHHH!
Steven – sadly you missed the whole point of the skateboarding issues. Is wasn’t about someone winning or losing…it was about safety for EVERYONE who drives, bikes, walks AND skateboards on the town’s streets, sidewalks and bike trails. The issue was NOT about the reckless behavior of drivers, bikers or… Read more »
kaat….We’ll see if the “skateboarders win” when one of them is a hood ornament on some vehicle….which will someday happen.