Skateboarders Avoid a Ban

The Simi Valley City Council and a group representing local skateboarders have reached an accord.

The five-member group, appointed by the city’s Youth Activities Committee, agreed Monday to recommend that skateboarders abide by a “Skateboarding Code of Conduct,” and the city agreed to suspend consideration of a ban of skateboarding on city streets.

In October, the City Council adopted a resolution prohibiting bicycle riding, skateboarding and roller-skating on the plaza of the city’s Civic Center because of health risks and liability concerns.

At the time, the council considered banning skateboarders from public streets, not including sidewalks, but asked the Youth Activities Committee to further study the issue.

After meetings with representatives of the skateboarders and a December public hearing, the committee came up with the 20-point code of conduct.

‘The Main Concern’

Among its recommendations are that skateboarders not seek being towed, by grabbing bumpers of cars, and not practice their sport on major streets.

Noting that items in the code of conduct have been discussed among skateboarders in recent months, Councilman Glen McAdoo said Tuesday: “I don’t see nearly the number of skateboarders that I used to on major arteries, and that’s where the main concern was. Let’s face it, skateboards and cars just don’t mix.”

The code of conduct also asks skateboarders not to attempt tricks directly in front of plate-glass windows or entrances to shops and businesses, and to keep speeds down in congested areas.

If riders do not comply with the provisions of the code, “we would have to look at some ban on major streets, and a total ban wouldn’t be out of the question,” McAdoo said. “The ball’s in their court.”

Copies of the code of conduct will be posted at Simi Valley’s four skateboard shops, made available at local junior high and high schools and published in the Rancho Simi Recreation and Park District’s quarterly newsletter.

City officials said they will measure compliance by the number of complaints received from businesses and residents and by personal observation.

‘Good Support’

“There’s probably a couple of things that some kids don’t agree with, but I think we’re going to get good support,” said Steve Menashe, 16, a Simi Valley High School junior and member of the group representing skateboarders.

Alan Kiburtz, 44, who skateboards with his two sons and is also a member of the group, called the code’s provisions “common-sense rules” that offer the city’s estimated 3,000 skateboarders an opportunity to show how responsible they can be.

More than 25 cities in California have passed ordinances restricting skateboarding within city limits, said James Bartholomew, Simi Valley’s risk manager. In 1986, Santa Monica passed an ordinance prohibiting skateboarding in parking structures and in other designated areas.