Commute downhill on sidewalks?

[Monchan]

I live in Hawaii, where skating on the street is illegal. Now, of course, I find myself skating down a road or two every once in a while, but when I feel like "abiding the law", I will. I'm just curious about one thing though. Is it at all possible to skate downhill, at a reasonable speed, on a sidewalk wide enough for about 3-4 people walking side by side? I have a supercharger and so far, I don't see myself being able to carve it out. Thanks in advance for the help!

[jeffrey]

I live in Hawaii, where skating on the street is illegal. Now, of course, I find myself skating down a road or two every once in a while, but when I feel like "abiding the law", I will. I'm just curious about one thing though. Is it at all possible to skate downhill, at a reasonable speed, on a sidewalk wide enough for about 3-4 people walking side by side? I have a supercharger and so far, I don't see myself being able to carve it out. Thanks in advance for the help!

which island you live on?
it is possible to go fast on sidewalk, but it will be terrifying.

[sterlingc]

get comfortable doing speedcheck slides, just short little "errrrrps" with your wheels, if you can slide a bit on every carve down a sidewalk you can keep yourself within a reasonable speed but you'll probably end up mowing a pedestrian over at some point

[Crowman]

Illegal to skate on the streets! I thought Hawaii was supposed to be paradise?

The short answer is that you had better be VERY good at speedchecks. Particularly since you will need to do them between seams in the sidewalk to avoid catching an edge.

What justification was given for making boarding on the streets illegal? Is it also illegal to rollerblade on the street?

[isk]

on boards with a short wheelbase its possible to do small speedchecks on narrow sidewalks. im not sure if its possible on a supercharger. i know that i can pull it off on my slalom board but i cant do it on my hellcat. turning radius is just to wide.

[Ogre]

They're called side"walks" for a reason. I find it odd as well that the law wants yoiu eiding on them and not on the roadways. At any rate..carving on something that narrow is impossible to carve off much speed if you get on much of a slope, and those joints will high side the hell outta you if you speed check on them often. Foot breaking is your best bet, but your shoes will take the burden. hmmm quite a pickle your in. If you haven't got busted for using the street, I'd do so in a stealthy fashion.. but that's just me. Good luck

[pavedwave]

What justification was given for making boarding on the streets illegal? Is it also illegal to rollerblade on the street?

Have you checked your local laws? In many US municipalities there are laws that were established, often back in the 70's, equating skateboards and rollerskates (before inlines) with toys. The only way to really roll it back is go to town halls and fight the fight.

Skateboarding IS a Crime!
Maui County ordinance 10-52-150 : "No person upon skateboards or similar devices shall go upon any roadway except while crossing such roadway within a crosswalk. When so crossing, such person shall be granted all of the rights and shall be subject to all the duties applicable to pedestrians."

In Seattle they can always nail us for "playing in the street." The fact is though, that a lot of people skate the streets and in full view of the cops here. It tends to be tolerated here when you're wearing gear and skating A to B. It gets sketchy when you start snaking between cars or busting slides, where you look like you're out bombing a hill recreationally.

Even so, I still get pulled over from time to time by the donut-eating variety cop, and I just keep the answers short, I don't even try to argue the law, just let them feel good for a few minutes, then move on-- because most cops here have been tolerant. I'll probably get ticketed now after posting this Good luck!

[Ogre]

That's good advice... As long as you appear to be using it for transport, and obeying all traffic laws will make a strong statement in this "Go Green" society.
I would go to the City Hall and get some firm answers and state your position. As Pavedwave stated, it may be an old law on the books, that the police can use if they feel the need..but may not enforce depending on the riding habits and conduct you exhibit while "breaking the law"

[Big Dev]

I. I'm just curious about one thing though. Is it at all possible to skate downhill, at a reasonable speed, on a sidewalk wide enough for about 3-4 people walking side by side?

The only person that can answer that question is you; you know your abilities and the sidewalks much better than we do.

That being said, I'd probably just move onto the street wherever theres a big hill. I doubt an officer will give you #### if you just move onto the road to bomb a hill and then get back on the sidewalk afterwards.

[jeffrey]

Instead of speedchecks, learn how to do 180's back and forth.

[Brute379]

I enjoy riding sidewalks, bike pats, driveways and the occasional golf course cart path..
Speed is relevant and seems much faster with less room to maneuver.

Learn to footbrake and speed check! Its all skating!

Edit: slide gloves are key!

[AboveSpeedLimit]

Or, you could see if there is a skate shop near you and see what they think you should do. Maybe there's a group that reserves roads and such in your area. Worth a shot :/.

[pavedwave]

this guy uses cars to slow down. not highly recommended

[Monchan]

Wow thank you everyone for so many responses! Yea... It's a shame, Hawaii isn't a skater's paradise. You can't even skate in Waikiki (Not that you would want to I guess)! Anyway, I guess i'll be walking down the hill instead of bombing it.. It's a really nice hill, but ah... too many people... I know ya'll will hate me, but I guess I'll have to take my inlines for commuting down them hills :P..... (Seriously though, it's a pretty long hill I'd take a pic of it and post it for you one day, but I really don't feel like walking down it many times LOL)

[jeffrey]

Wow thank you everyone for so many responses! Yea... It's a shame, Hawaii isn't a skater's paradise. You can't even skate in Waikiki (Not that you would want to I guess)! Anyway, I guess i'll be walking down the hill instead of bombing it.. It's a really nice hill, but ah... too many people... I know ya'll will hate me, but I guess I'll have to take my inlines for commuting down them hills :P..... (Seriously though, it's a pretty long hill I'd take a pic of it and post it for you one day, but I really don't feel like walking down it many times LOL)

which hill?

[Monchan]

Well one of them starts at the entrance of manoa, near The University of Hawaii and a school called Mid Pacific Institute (More specifically, it's at the intersection of university ave and mile way). The slop ends south king street, around nijiya market. Maybe for some it's ultra mellow, but I'm still a newb, so I find it a good size hill. Next up, we have hills in kaimuki. specifically the ones near Kapiolani community college. Ok, I understand that there's one HUGE hill there, I'm not talking about that one (the one that goes to kahala mall), but the other ones around them. Kinda in the suburban area.

[jeffrey]

Well one of them starts at the entrance of manoa, near The University of Hawaii and a school called Mid Pacific Institute (More specifically, it's at the intersection of university ave and mile way). The slop ends south king street, around nijiya market. Maybe for some it's ultra mellow, but I'm still a newb, so I find it a good size hill. Next up, we have hills in kaimuki. specifically the ones near Kapiolani community college. Ok, I understand that there's one HUGE hill there, I'm not talking about that one (the one that goes to kahala mall), but the other ones around them. Kinda in the suburban area.

The HUGE hill by KCC (with the concrete, kilauea st. i presume?) is PRIME for sliding.....on the road. Just as long as theres no cars coming down on the street. I've seen people do 180's on the sidewalk, but they're just pretty nuts haha.

Some parts of the sidewalk down UH is pretty wide and again, i've seen people buss out 180's down the length of it.

Moral of the story, learn how to 180 and back!

[Monchan]

Moral of the story, learn how to 180 and back!

All right, well I guess that'll be one of my year end goals.

[virtualdude]

Look, man, if you're really concerned about it, talk to your local policeman. They're usually ok, if you approach them first. Talk to them about the laws and express your desires and needs. They'll let you know what's acceptable. However, I'd say you're in a bit of a bind and they'll probably not let you do either. Skating on sidewalks sounds like you could really hurt an Auntie or Uncle. I hear the police back in HI are a bit lax though and use their own cars for patrol vehicles. Chat them up and probably, if you make some friends on the force, they'll probably be more willing to look the other way. Friends tend to look out for friends, ya know!
Anyway, they also might have some suggestions on how to start up some skate clubs that'd be safer than just bombing a hill and might even help you in blocking off a street every now and again to have a bomb session with friends.
I know it goes against the skater/police relationship, but in the long run, the more folks you can get on your side, the better. When you battle folks, bad things happen.

[jaytoo]

I find it odd no one has mentioned this... if the sidewalk is next to grass, you can just let your wheels run in the grass a little to shave off speed. As long as you're doing it on purpose, you won't get thrown off your board =P.

Speedchecks within the width of a sidewalk is pretty hard... you don't really notice when you're in the street, but doing them actually takes up quite a bit of space. Same for 180s. Not saying it can't be done, but it'll take practice. Things are simplified if you have a tail on your board, and can throw two-wheel slides comfortably.