Rolling Hills May Put Brakes on Street Riders : Safety: The proposed ordinance would prohibit skateboarders and skaters on roads, sidewalks and parking lots. Opponents say it would be unfair to teen-agers.

For skaters and skateboarders, yet another stretch of open road may soon be closed on the Palos Verdes Peninsula.

Responding to safety concerns, the Rolling Hills City Council on Monday will consider a proposal to ban skaters, skateboarders and all other “self-propelled devices” except bicycles on streets, sidewalks and public parking lots in the affluent hillside community.

Facing an uphill battle, opponents of the measure argue that an outright ban would unfairly deprive teen-age skateboarders of their main mode of transportation and adult skaters of a popular form of exercise.

If Rolling Hills imposes the ban, it would become the third of the peninsula’s four cities to prohibit or limit the use of skates and skateboards. Palos Verdes Estates has outlawed their use on public roadways. Rolling Hills Estates has also imposed a ban, but it applies only to designated areas such as local shopping centers. Only Rancho Palos Verdes gives skaters and skateboarders free reign.

Persistent fears about a collision between a motorist and a skateboarder have prompted the Rolling Hills proposal. While local authorities report no such accidents in Rolling Hills, proponents of the measure say there have been numerous near-misses.

“Because it’s so hilly in our community, there is very limited visibility (for motorists) and skateboarders are a safety concern for us,” said Councilwoman Ginny Leeuwenburgh, who expects the measure to pass. “I think the

community is comfortable with this ordinance.”

Leeuwenburgh said steep, winding streets such as Portuguese Bend Road and Eastfield Drive are particular trouble spots in Rolling Hills. To make matters worse, proponents say, skateboarding teen-agers sometimes speed down these streets seated on their boards--a stunt skateboarders refer to as “butt-boarding.”

“You just can’t see them,” Leeuwenburgh said. “It’s really unnerving to some residents.”

So far, only one of five Rolling Hills council members has expressed reservations. In a council meeting last month, before the ordinance was drafted, Councilman Thomas Heinsheimer said the ban might be too broad. The ordinance, he said, must strike the proper balance between recreational and safety needs. Heinsheimer, who is out of town, was unavailable for further comment.

However, Rolling Hills residents Kathryn and David McKinnie, the parents of two skateboarding teen-age sons, have objected to the proposed ordinance in a letter to the City Council.

“The proposed ordinance is a bad law,” the McKinnies wrote. “Please do not add one more ordinance which might severely limit the recreational activities of our community.”

Bans like the one being proposed in Rolling Hills anger skateboarders who are too young to drive.

Adam Wisot, a 15-year-old freshman at Palos Verdes Peninsula High School, is among those incensed about the proposal. Interviewed after classes recently, his freestyle, double-kick skateboard in hand, he said, “Until I get a car, this is pretty much my main source of transportation.”

Violations of the Rolling Hills ordinance would be treated as a misdemeanor offense, which carries a possible jail term of up to six months and a fine up to $1,000. Rolling Hills City Manager Craig R. Nealis said such punishment would be highly unlikely, however.

“The goal of the ordinance is to ensure safety,” Nealis said. “The goal is not to fine them or jail them.”