Quote:
Originally Posted by Cirquedaddy
As the sport booms in popularity in my area and more and more riders are out on the streets I really worry about what impact its going to have.
I see the future one of two ways.
1. Riders out on hills in increasing numbers and in popular spots acting like asses, being rude, having no respect for the community and the people living there resulting in the cops being called everytime a rider steps foot on the spot.
2. Riders being respectful, engaging the community with waves or greetings, explaining the sport, being low key.
Its really in our hands. Right now we are a curiosity. Sure you have some folks making the quick equation that we are just like the skateboard punks they have seen in the past. But for the most part we can still decide how the community reacts to us as a group. Lets make sure we dont hurt the community and close out the good spots.
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It's hard to have respect for people while you're boarding and people throw stuff at you, yell at you, cut you off even on the side of the road, sit in the middle of crosswalks or entrances/exits to parking lots, or speed by you like a bat out of hell even though you're nowhere near in their way. People seem to see the board and assume we're punks and treat us as such.
Mind you there has also been plenty of people who my friend and I have rode by on a hill as they watched and when we walk back up we've sat and talked to them, explained the sport, let em see our board, and just generally be nice. Those people I have respect for, people who jump to conclusions because of the board, I do not. You must show respect to receive it.