Tuesday, August 16, 2011
Customer Service Division New York City Department of Transportation Replies To SkateBoard Stick Figure Indication Request
We are happy to report the Customer Service Division, New York City Department of Transportation has replied to our request to have the issue of missing skateboard, stick figure, traffic flow signs in bike lanes be reviewed. Unfortunately they had a disclaimer at the bottom other their post so we are unable to re-post here. They cited a mid September 2011 reply time.
Sunday, August 14, 2011
Fight Climate Change : Avoid As Many Motorized Vehicle Commutes As You Can.
Avoid As Many Motorized Vehicle Commutes As You Can. Commit to riding a skateboard 1 out of 10 times that you would normally use a motorized vehicle for commutes of distance's of 2 miles or less.
Transport statistics bear out the following facts:
-40% of commutes in America are 2 miles or less
- 90% of these trips are by automobile
-24% of Americas carbon dioxide emissions come from motorized vehicles
-Driving releases 20 lbs. of carbon dioxide per gallon of gas
-If one out of ten car commuters switched to a skateboard CO2 emissions would be reduced 25.4 million tons per year
-The cost of operating a car per year is $5,170.00
-The cost of operating a skateboard is $0.00
-Skateboards require no parking space
-1000 Skateboards can be produced for the same energy and resources required to build 1 medium sized car
- If 1 million people replaced a 2 mile car trip once per week with a skateboard ride CO2 emissions could be reduced by 50,000 tons per year
-We encourage you to consider a skateboard on your next commute for 2 miles or less
Fight climate change. Avoid as many motorized vehicle commutes as you can. Remember that the definition of fitness is strength + endurance + balance. A skateboard provides all three during your commute. Hand drawn trailers by skateboard commuting dwarf the carrying capacity of a back pack. A hand drawn trailer while skateboard commuting can carry 70 lbs. and still be quite mobile.
Photo©2011 Susoix
Transport statistics bear out the following facts:
-40% of commutes in America are 2 miles or less
- 90% of these trips are by automobile
-24% of Americas carbon dioxide emissions come from motorized vehicles
-Driving releases 20 lbs. of carbon dioxide per gallon of gas
-If one out of ten car commuters switched to a skateboard CO2 emissions would be reduced 25.4 million tons per year
-The cost of operating a car per year is $5,170.00
-The cost of operating a skateboard is $0.00
-Skateboards require no parking space
-1000 Skateboards can be produced for the same energy and resources required to build 1 medium sized car
- If 1 million people replaced a 2 mile car trip once per week with a skateboard ride CO2 emissions could be reduced by 50,000 tons per year
-We encourage you to consider a skateboard on your next commute for 2 miles or less
Fight climate change. Avoid as many motorized vehicle commutes as you can. Remember that the definition of fitness is strength + endurance + balance. A skateboard provides all three during your commute. Hand drawn trailers by skateboard commuting dwarf the carrying capacity of a back pack. A hand drawn trailer while skateboard commuting can carry 70 lbs. and still be quite mobile.
Photo©2011 Susoix
Saturday, August 13, 2011
Children's Scooter Use As Prime "SkateBoard Is Transport" Education
With the massive rise of children's scooter use. the nation is poised WITH the possibility to inculcate the young with safe education into the transport sport lifestyle of skateboarding as sport and transport. Fitness is: strength + endurance + balance.
Skateboard commuitng offers all three getting to school every day with a smile on your face.
ONE MORE STAR ONE LESS CAR
photo©2011SUSOIX
Skateboard commuitng offers all three getting to school every day with a smile on your face.
ONE MORE STAR ONE LESS CAR
photo©2011SUSOIX
Advocating For SkateBoard Is Transport In Rye, N.Y.
Recently we reached out to a blog publisher that was following the longboarding issues the city council was addressing in Rye, N.Y.. We noted it in a previous post on this blog. Jay Sears of MyRye.com kindly replied back. We address a reply to him here with the hopes we begin to attract more attenion to this issue in and around the broader 75 mile radius of NYC. We'd like to see more participation of this dialog by all involved inside this radius.
Dear Jay,
Thank you for your reply and attention to this issue in Rye, N.Y. regarding your growing longboard commuters and how your city council is treating the issue. We have no members in Rye, N.Y. as of yet. Skateboard Is Transport for the moment is not taking on members. We are a tiny group of concerned citizen skateboard commuters setting about to advocate, study the issues, gain members later on and help set policy while partnering with government and other groups concerned with helping to add human powered vehicles (HPV) to the traffic grid.
We only have this blog so far. We just began last week! Our challenge is a large one. We are advocating on both ends of this issue so it would seem. Transportation Alternatives, www.transalt.org will not advocate in behalf of the noble skateboard as vehicle. Nor will they even acknowledge that it is a vehicle. Amazing but true.
The city government in NYC, we think, is so overwhelmed and the skateboard commuter numbers are not quite large enough for NYC to take note and set policy. Which by the way might end up being regressive policy since any way since there is no advocacy group of note that might advocate for progressive policy NYC could follow.
T.A.'s lack of clear vision was the principal reason we created S.I.T. We had thought T.A. would assist a growing HPV (human powered vehicle movement.) So we imagined that an advocacy organization same as this one would not need to be created. We saw a time in the not to distant future when NYC would begin to make skateboard transport policy and we hoped T.A.www.transalt.org would be there as a progressive force to advocate for the noble skateboard's safe incorporation onto the traffic grid.
Since we have been shown the door, so to speak, and proclaimed to not even be vehicles by T.A., we quickly began SkateBoard Is Transport recognizing that soon NYC will require a good skateboard as transport advocate that they can rely on to provide progressive guidance on skateboard commuting needs and regulations. The skateboard commuter numbers are enormous here in NYC. Of course for NYC to take note they need to be astronomically large, we see NYC reaching those numbers, soon.
So it's all very new. Right now this blog is all we have and we want to begin to attract attention to even the simple fact that once and for all, an honest to goodness "skateboard as transport only," advocacy group exists. Nationally there have been many groups to advocate for more skateboard parks but none advocating "exclusively" in behalf of skateboard transportation. In Portland, OR the local government is supporting skateboard as transport and we will begin to follow them closely on policy. Tom Miller is doing very good progressive, HPV policy work in our opinion.
The longboarder's and more intensely the skateboarder's themselves have much to face up to. They really want respect, as well as the liberty to do as they want whenever they want. Many take a regressive stand shunning skateboard as transport advocacy, preferring to have a head in the sand and claim advocacy will only lead to attention and attention they claim, will force them to comply to traffic laws and they don't want that either. Traffic surfing may be a gas, but the days of traffic surfing are coming to a close as we see it.
There are simply to many people and it is no longer a scale-able viable reality to imagine skateboarders constantly swerving in and out of the traffic grid. How is it skateboarders imagine they and they alone, will be afforded this right is a curious reality. What if BMX bikes wanted the same right? Motorcycles? The fact is, most vehicles may be operated in challenging and titillating sporty ways that put others in harms way, that does not mean the traffic grid at all times is at the disposal of people with these intentions. The greater good is not served well by such regressive ideas.
There will need to be education on both sides. Funny as it is, this organization will be not appreciated by either side 100%. Of course, this organization is clearly one of the answers for skateboard as transport, evidenced by the middle ground position it is taking as well as it's dedication to a 100% safety policy for both the skateboard riders and their fellow commuters on the traffic grid no matter how they might be moving about, pedestrians included.
One way we see solutions to the sport issue, is by establishing zones for longboard sport same as we have parks for the smaller skateboard to perform tricks and challenging of vertical balance acts. Those interested in the execution of the longboard sport dynamic shall have a safe place to be and practice. These zones may be shared space areas. In other words off hours on clearly marked roads set aside for the participation and execution of longboard sport. These are challenging concepts of road use and sharing. But we are all tax payers and we all have our needs and desires. Longboarding is quickly becoming a sport of massive interest.
Considering the country has a massive obesity issue and the fact that this activity is a "transport sport" activity (renders both sport lifestyle, followed by transport commuting skills) it would seem rather clear that progressive policy helping lessen obesity and helping move towards an increase in human powered vehicles are highly critical issues for the countries well being, as well as to that of local communities. Interest in skateboard as transport is a massive plus not a negative. To lessen this interest or to ban it is regressive and damaging to the countries health at this time. This is the position this organization takes.
As skateboard commuting grows it obviously requires rules and regulations beyond that of a tribe or "community" as longboarders have been calling themselves. Same as the car needed traffic lights least the four way intersection would never have worked, same too does the skateboard need rules and policy least we have daily mayhem on the traffic grid at all times. Four way intersections were death zones in the early days of automobiles. The time has come to sort out and dispel prevailing regressive views and attitudes on both sides of this issue. SkateBoard Is Transport will seek to do just this and we hope to give encouragement to more movements like this.
The issues are big and they are not going away. Criminalization of the vehicle via complete bans are not the answer, especially when there are clear ways towards safe and healthy incorporation.
The issue is the same as drag racing cars. Cars are drag raced in the appropriate places and they get used on the traffic grid as well. These are not difficult issues to understand although since we are coming out of the golden days of longboarding where limited growth allowed for minor indiscretions at all times, longboarders have been accustomed to doing anything at all times without much note taken by anyone. The longboard populace is accustomed to this and slowly needs to be shown progressive ways towards longboard sport participation and longboard commuting. At the same time the main stream should begin to see the benefit of all HPV, human power vehicles, and allow for their safe integration as both transport and sport.
Regards,
cubi
Enrique Cubillo
SkateBoard is Transport
Your Advocate for SkateBoard As Transport
On Aug 13, 2011, at 9:14 AM, jaysears@yahoo.com wrote:
Sure
Do you have more information, members in Rye, or a letter to the editor?
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry
-----Original Message-----
From: enrique cubillo <skateboardistransport@gmail.com>
Date: Sat, 13 Aug 2011 00:51:15
To: <publisher@MyRye.com>
Subject: fyi
This is a new organization. We would like to help shed some light on
the Local RYE government on what longboarding could be.
I hope you will join in and support.
Best,
cubi
Enrique Cubillo
SkateBoard is Transport
Your Advocate for SkateBoard As Transport
©2011Susoix
Dear Jay,
Thank you for your reply and attention to this issue in Rye, N.Y. regarding your growing longboard commuters and how your city council is treating the issue. We have no members in Rye, N.Y. as of yet. Skateboard Is Transport for the moment is not taking on members. We are a tiny group of concerned citizen skateboard commuters setting about to advocate, study the issues, gain members later on and help set policy while partnering with government and other groups concerned with helping to add human powered vehicles (HPV) to the traffic grid.
We only have this blog so far. We just began last week! Our challenge is a large one. We are advocating on both ends of this issue so it would seem. Transportation Alternatives, www.transalt.org will not advocate in behalf of the noble skateboard as vehicle. Nor will they even acknowledge that it is a vehicle. Amazing but true.
The city government in NYC, we think, is so overwhelmed and the skateboard commuter numbers are not quite large enough for NYC to take note and set policy. Which by the way might end up being regressive policy since any way since there is no advocacy group of note that might advocate for progressive policy NYC could follow.
T.A.'s lack of clear vision was the principal reason we created S.I.T. We had thought T.A. would assist a growing HPV (human powered vehicle movement.) So we imagined that an advocacy organization same as this one would not need to be created. We saw a time in the not to distant future when NYC would begin to make skateboard transport policy and we hoped T.A.www.transalt.org would be there as a progressive force to advocate for the noble skateboard's safe incorporation onto the traffic grid.
Since we have been shown the door, so to speak, and proclaimed to not even be vehicles by T.A., we quickly began SkateBoard Is Transport recognizing that soon NYC will require a good skateboard as transport advocate that they can rely on to provide progressive guidance on skateboard commuting needs and regulations. The skateboard commuter numbers are enormous here in NYC. Of course for NYC to take note they need to be astronomically large, we see NYC reaching those numbers, soon.
So it's all very new. Right now this blog is all we have and we want to begin to attract attention to even the simple fact that once and for all, an honest to goodness "skateboard as transport only," advocacy group exists. Nationally there have been many groups to advocate for more skateboard parks but none advocating "exclusively" in behalf of skateboard transportation. In Portland, OR the local government is supporting skateboard as transport and we will begin to follow them closely on policy. Tom Miller is doing very good progressive, HPV policy work in our opinion.
The longboarder's and more intensely the skateboarder's themselves have much to face up to. They really want respect, as well as the liberty to do as they want whenever they want. Many take a regressive stand shunning skateboard as transport advocacy, preferring to have a head in the sand and claim advocacy will only lead to attention and attention they claim, will force them to comply to traffic laws and they don't want that either. Traffic surfing may be a gas, but the days of traffic surfing are coming to a close as we see it.
There are simply to many people and it is no longer a scale-able viable reality to imagine skateboarders constantly swerving in and out of the traffic grid. How is it skateboarders imagine they and they alone, will be afforded this right is a curious reality. What if BMX bikes wanted the same right? Motorcycles? The fact is, most vehicles may be operated in challenging and titillating sporty ways that put others in harms way, that does not mean the traffic grid at all times is at the disposal of people with these intentions. The greater good is not served well by such regressive ideas.
There will need to be education on both sides. Funny as it is, this organization will be not appreciated by either side 100%. Of course, this organization is clearly one of the answers for skateboard as transport, evidenced by the middle ground position it is taking as well as it's dedication to a 100% safety policy for both the skateboard riders and their fellow commuters on the traffic grid no matter how they might be moving about, pedestrians included.
One way we see solutions to the sport issue, is by establishing zones for longboard sport same as we have parks for the smaller skateboard to perform tricks and challenging of vertical balance acts. Those interested in the execution of the longboard sport dynamic shall have a safe place to be and practice. These zones may be shared space areas. In other words off hours on clearly marked roads set aside for the participation and execution of longboard sport. These are challenging concepts of road use and sharing. But we are all tax payers and we all have our needs and desires. Longboarding is quickly becoming a sport of massive interest.
Considering the country has a massive obesity issue and the fact that this activity is a "transport sport" activity (renders both sport lifestyle, followed by transport commuting skills) it would seem rather clear that progressive policy helping lessen obesity and helping move towards an increase in human powered vehicles are highly critical issues for the countries well being, as well as to that of local communities. Interest in skateboard as transport is a massive plus not a negative. To lessen this interest or to ban it is regressive and damaging to the countries health at this time. This is the position this organization takes.
As skateboard commuting grows it obviously requires rules and regulations beyond that of a tribe or "community" as longboarders have been calling themselves. Same as the car needed traffic lights least the four way intersection would never have worked, same too does the skateboard need rules and policy least we have daily mayhem on the traffic grid at all times. Four way intersections were death zones in the early days of automobiles. The time has come to sort out and dispel prevailing regressive views and attitudes on both sides of this issue. SkateBoard Is Transport will seek to do just this and we hope to give encouragement to more movements like this.
The issues are big and they are not going away. Criminalization of the vehicle via complete bans are not the answer, especially when there are clear ways towards safe and healthy incorporation.
The issue is the same as drag racing cars. Cars are drag raced in the appropriate places and they get used on the traffic grid as well. These are not difficult issues to understand although since we are coming out of the golden days of longboarding where limited growth allowed for minor indiscretions at all times, longboarders have been accustomed to doing anything at all times without much note taken by anyone. The longboard populace is accustomed to this and slowly needs to be shown progressive ways towards longboard sport participation and longboard commuting. At the same time the main stream should begin to see the benefit of all HPV, human power vehicles, and allow for their safe integration as both transport and sport.
Regards,
cubi
Enrique Cubillo
SkateBoard is Transport
Your Advocate for SkateBoard As Transport
On Aug 13, 2011, at 9:14 AM, jaysears@yahoo.com wrote:
Sure
Do you have more information, members in Rye, or a letter to the editor?
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry
-----Original Message-----
From: enrique cubillo <skateboardistransport@gmail.com>
Date: Sat, 13 Aug 2011 00:51:15
To: <publisher@MyRye.com>
Subject: fyi
This is a new organization. We would like to help shed some light on
the Local RYE government on what longboarding could be.
I hope you will join in and support.
Best,
cubi
Enrique Cubillo
SkateBoard is Transport
Your Advocate for SkateBoard As Transport
©2011SusoixNYC, Summer Streets
Summer Streets, NYC is tomorrow! The best event of the year for skateboard as transport advocacy!
We hope to see you out global rolling.
Central Park LongBoarder will be there for certain.
©2011Susoix
We hope to see you out global rolling.
Central Park LongBoarder will be there for certain.
©2011Susoix
Rye, N.Y.. City Council Debating SkateBoard Transport
We had heard there were issues boiling over with our neighbors to the north in Rye, N.Y. regarding the budding longboard communters. I'm certain longboarders want freedom to play and council members want safety for all. Commuting is not a constant playland and roads are meant to be shared by all tax payers so that all of us may get to where we need to go by means of our chosen form of transport.
The issues are hard ones but should best be addressed with progressive outcomes towards the obvious inclusion of more human powered transport. Below is a quote from a recent meeting and a link to a blog where the discussion continues. Be considerate of all views and add your voice. We plan to head up north soon to see for ourselves what the major issues and policies are.
"At a recent city council meeting, Councilman Joe Sack expressed concern about Rye's "skateboard problem" cause by the popular long boards. What do you think? Leave a comment below."
The issues are hard ones but should best be addressed with progressive outcomes towards the obvious inclusion of more human powered transport. Below is a quote from a recent meeting and a link to a blog where the discussion continues. Be considerate of all views and add your voice. We plan to head up north soon to see for ourselves what the major issues and policies are.
"At a recent city council meeting, Councilman Joe Sack expressed concern about Rye's "skateboard problem" cause by the popular long boards. What do you think? Leave a comment below."
Friday, August 12, 2011
SkateBoard Commuters Speak Up
If you use a skateboard to get around please write us and let us know you're skateboard commuter story and what you would like to see this organization advocate for. In the near future we will explain and define our public position with greater definition and with whom we will attempt to partner with as well as advocate to.
We know the skateboard community is commuting by the millions. Some of these commutes are going under the radar of most transportation alternative advocate organizations to the extent that some don't even consider the skateboard a vehicle. The skateboard is so effective at short distances that no one really pays that much attention. Part of it's efficacy is how fast the mode of transportation enters in and out of the traffic flow. Your commute may be as short as a half mile to the skateboard park. This is no less a commute then a 50 mile car commute. You are a human being needing to get to where you need to go as much as any other vehicle and tax payer. You are on the traffic grid and a mountain load of traffic issues are at play there.
We want to advocate so as to make even that .5 miles commute in everyone's community becomes more relaxing, safer and most of all blend in better with the rest of the existing traffic flow.
The futire is all about allowing human powered vehicles more and safer acces into all the peoples consciousness so they might make "true choice" alternative transportation happen every where.
We know the skateboard community is commuting by the millions. Some of these commutes are going under the radar of most transportation alternative advocate organizations to the extent that some don't even consider the skateboard a vehicle. The skateboard is so effective at short distances that no one really pays that much attention. Part of it's efficacy is how fast the mode of transportation enters in and out of the traffic flow. Your commute may be as short as a half mile to the skateboard park. This is no less a commute then a 50 mile car commute. You are a human being needing to get to where you need to go as much as any other vehicle and tax payer. You are on the traffic grid and a mountain load of traffic issues are at play there.
We want to advocate so as to make even that .5 miles commute in everyone's community becomes more relaxing, safer and most of all blend in better with the rest of the existing traffic flow.
The futire is all about allowing human powered vehicles more and safer acces into all the peoples consciousness so they might make "true choice" alternative transportation happen every where.
Wednesday, August 10, 2011
What SkateBoard Commuter Policy Does Your University Have?
It is a shame a university of such high quality as San Francisco State could not see through to the same ends as Stanford University and create the proper protocols and regulations so skateboards could be operated safely to commute on campus.
Here are their regulations. We are researching all the major universities in the country now to review their policy's. If you are a student on any U.S. university campus, please write us an update on regulations where you are. All information, even of a personal recollection, is of interest. No national statistics worthy of analysis for transport of this kind exist. We are seeking to compile, study and advocate for safer "True Choice" commuting.
Here are their regulations. We are researching all the major universities in the country now to review their policy's. If you are a student on any U.S. university campus, please write us an update on regulations where you are. All information, even of a personal recollection, is of interest. No national statistics worthy of analysis for transport of this kind exist. We are seeking to compile, study and advocate for safer "True Choice" commuting.
The Negative Side of Blanket SkateBoard Bans
Blanket bans on skateboards are narrow and short sighted. The fact is, a skateboard is an effective machine in what it can achieve. It is up to the operator's discretion to choose from a long list of possible handling outcomes. Much like a car. A car driver makes many choices. To begin with the choice of car. Followed by a desire to respect and abide by traffic laws or not. Both have obvious consequences.
The same is true for a skateboard. If the rider chooses a longboard of 42" with a drop deck and large 85 mm wheels they would be well suited to push the board and commute comfortably on flat ground in a straight line as well as roll down small inclines with in 25 mile per hour speed limits. With that same board they, if they decided and chose to, achieve speeds in excess of 50 mph depending on the decent grade. The operator makes the choice, same as is made behind the wheel of a car.
Personally, I choose to commute by skateboard all over New York City in a straight line and obey traffic laws. All the while I am on a board which could travel 6o mph pointed down the right hill incline and exceed local speed limits but I do not. I choose. The operator decides. Machines never make the choices. Removing the right to choose is removing our freedoms to retain our privilege of choice. Those that decide to choose to drive recklessly no matter what vehicle they operate should have their privilege taken away. For the rest of us, please, let's not criminalize what is not a crime, skateboard commuting in a straight line while obeying traffic laws same as any car, motorcycle or bicycle.
The same is true for a skateboard. If the rider chooses a longboard of 42" with a drop deck and large 85 mm wheels they would be well suited to push the board and commute comfortably on flat ground in a straight line as well as roll down small inclines with in 25 mile per hour speed limits. With that same board they, if they decided and chose to, achieve speeds in excess of 50 mph depending on the decent grade. The operator makes the choice, same as is made behind the wheel of a car.
Personally, I choose to commute by skateboard all over New York City in a straight line and obey traffic laws. All the while I am on a board which could travel 6o mph pointed down the right hill incline and exceed local speed limits but I do not. I choose. The operator decides. Machines never make the choices. Removing the right to choose is removing our freedoms to retain our privilege of choice. Those that decide to choose to drive recklessly no matter what vehicle they operate should have their privilege taken away. For the rest of us, please, let's not criminalize what is not a crime, skateboard commuting in a straight line while obeying traffic laws same as any car, motorcycle or bicycle.
University of Central Missouri Vs. Stanford University on Progressive SkateBoard Commuting Campus Policy
Two University Campuses -Two SkateBoard Commuter Policy's
University of Central Missouri Campus SkateBoard Policy is an all out ban.
Roller skates, and rollerblades are not to be ridden or used on the property
Vs.
Stanford University : allows and promotes SkateBoard Commuting.
The images speak for themselves.
We can't imagine the students being all that different from one university campus to the next. Both have a campus they need to cross and residences close by to commute to. University of Central Missouri Campus obviously needs to band certain operations done with a skateboard. As opposed to banning the entire vehicle. It is as if cars were banned in general because one group of users was constantly drag racing illegally. The drag racing needs to stop, not safe car use. Here we see the same issue. Students on the Stanford campus use the skateboard with great regularity to good and safe effect. Last time we were there we noted a 10-15% vehicular campus traffic was on board skateboards. Both men and women used the skateboard as commuter vehicle equally. We did not see any incident during an entire day on the campus while observing the traffic flow.
©2011 Susoix
University of Central Missouri Campus SkateBoard Policy is an all out ban.
Roller skates, and rollerblades are not to be ridden or used on the property
Vs.
Stanford University : allows and promotes SkateBoard Commuting.
The images speak for themselves.
We can't imagine the students being all that different from one university campus to the next. Both have a campus they need to cross and residences close by to commute to. University of Central Missouri Campus obviously needs to band certain operations done with a skateboard. As opposed to banning the entire vehicle. It is as if cars were banned in general because one group of users was constantly drag racing illegally. The drag racing needs to stop, not safe car use. Here we see the same issue. Students on the Stanford campus use the skateboard with great regularity to good and safe effect. Last time we were there we noted a 10-15% vehicular campus traffic was on board skateboards. Both men and women used the skateboard as commuter vehicle equally. We did not see any incident during an entire day on the campus while observing the traffic flow.
©2011 Susoix
Tuesday, August 9, 2011
SkateBoard Commuter of The Month United States
We would like to feature a "skateboard commuter of the month" on this blog. Please submit answers to the questions below with a 4x5 x72 dpi, photo to SkateBoard is Transport Commuter of The Month.
All profiles shall be complied on a master link every 6 months and presented to local D.O.T. government officials in charge of making traffic regulations in an effort to gain more access to safe skateboard commuting regulations nationally. Please include your address, city, state and zip code so we may begin compiling national skateboard commuter statistics. At the moment none exist.
All replies shall be entered into a year end drawing to win a Central Park Longboader™, Cross Town™, Skateboard Deck, courtesy of Central Park LongBoarder.
Skateboard, active lifestyle, health + wellness, nutrition and food companies interested in participating with similar donations towards helping to generate national commuting statistics are welcome to contact us.
Occupation:
Age:
Commuting history:
Longest commute:
Current commute:
Main skateboard you choose for commuting:
Backpack or Trailer:
Weather, ride in rain, snow:
How many boards have you owned in your life:
Wear Helmet:
Clothes:
Advice for safety:
Best commuting story:
Worst:
Photo©2011 Susoix
All profiles shall be complied on a master link every 6 months and presented to local D.O.T. government officials in charge of making traffic regulations in an effort to gain more access to safe skateboard commuting regulations nationally. Please include your address, city, state and zip code so we may begin compiling national skateboard commuter statistics. At the moment none exist.
All replies shall be entered into a year end drawing to win a Central Park Longboader™, Cross Town™, Skateboard Deck, courtesy of Central Park LongBoarder.
Skateboard, active lifestyle, health + wellness, nutrition and food companies interested in participating with similar donations towards helping to generate national commuting statistics are welcome to contact us.
Occupation:
Age:
Commuting history:
Longest commute:
Current commute:
Main skateboard you choose for commuting:
Backpack or Trailer:
Weather, ride in rain, snow:
How many boards have you owned in your life:
Wear Helmet:
Clothes:
Advice for safety:
Best commuting story:
Worst:
Monday, August 8, 2011
The Importance of SkateBoard Racing For Progressive "True Choice" Transit Policy
Skateboard racing (kicking with both legs on flat ground 5K-Marathon distance same as running) is a good way to educate the general public on skateboard commuting, especially those ages 10-18. Skateboard push racers will make life long urban, alternative transportation commuters.
Here is why.
Racing anything affords the participants the unique ability to press each and every gram of experience, knowledge and physical development out of themselves and each other. Racing creates a natural selection of the most effective and efficient means towards the end of racing. Turtle racing or racing to be the first to discover the cure of a deadly disease, simply drives interest with a greater focus to learn the inner most truths regarding the questions of how, what and why, of which one is racing towards.
Of course when the racing is over the residual consequence of the preparation remains. Turtle racing creates experts in the care, training and breading of fast turtles. Transport sport racing will create expertly skilled commuters possessing the most efficient way of transporting themselves on a skateboard, bicycle, ice skates, inline skates, skies or sail boats. Until such time as the entire work place design is structured with a shower at the point of arrival, with a locker for all, running will be out of the picture for most unfortunately. Although running has to be a consideration for daily transport and the world would be wise to implement progressive policy towards that end.
Considering the efficacy of the skateboard from all angles, economic, size, efficiency over half mile to two mile distances, skateboard racing and therefor skateboard commuting, is a progressive simple path for transport policy to follow.
The country would benefit greatly from having local push racing clubs much the same as it has cross country running clubs and programs in high schools and middle schools. There are 11 million Americans skateboarding in the U.S. today.
Photo©2011Peter Robertson/Susoix
Here is why.
Racing anything affords the participants the unique ability to press each and every gram of experience, knowledge and physical development out of themselves and each other. Racing creates a natural selection of the most effective and efficient means towards the end of racing. Turtle racing or racing to be the first to discover the cure of a deadly disease, simply drives interest with a greater focus to learn the inner most truths regarding the questions of how, what and why, of which one is racing towards.
Of course when the racing is over the residual consequence of the preparation remains. Turtle racing creates experts in the care, training and breading of fast turtles. Transport sport racing will create expertly skilled commuters possessing the most efficient way of transporting themselves on a skateboard, bicycle, ice skates, inline skates, skies or sail boats. Until such time as the entire work place design is structured with a shower at the point of arrival, with a locker for all, running will be out of the picture for most unfortunately. Although running has to be a consideration for daily transport and the world would be wise to implement progressive policy towards that end.
Considering the efficacy of the skateboard from all angles, economic, size, efficiency over half mile to two mile distances, skateboard racing and therefor skateboard commuting, is a progressive simple path for transport policy to follow.
The country would benefit greatly from having local push racing clubs much the same as it has cross country running clubs and programs in high schools and middle schools. There are 11 million Americans skateboarding in the U.S. today.
Photo©2011Peter Robertson/Susoix
A SkateBoard Commuter Question For Transportation Alternatives:TransAlt.org
After doing a few hours of online research one quickly discovers that Portland, OR is the most progressive city in the country regarding skateboard as transportation. Recently an exchange of views with New York, Transportation Alternative's led to the exchange below.
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Hi Enrique,
Thank you for continuing to support Transportation Alternatives. We appreciate your tenacity on the subject of skateboarders in NYC - advocates must be tireless and you certainly are!
As you know, being a member, T.A. fights for more equitable use of street space for everyone - anyone on New York City streets will benefit from saner and better use of our street space. There are many other modes of transportation that we are not able to directly address at T.A. (scooters, unicycles, skateboards, rollerblades, segways, etc.). We are a non-profit with a specific mission statement that we plan our work around. However, we encourage you to start organizing skateboarders and to perhaps start advocating for that option in ways that you find meaningful and have impact.
Good luck! In the meantime, please respect the multiple responses you've received from our staff on this issue; we hope you understand that we do not have unlimited resources here at T.A.
Thank you,
Elena, (T.A. Representative)
__
Hi Elena,
In Portland, OR they have resources for skateboard as transport awareness initiatives and for public policy on the issue. Portland is a far smaller city. What am I missing here? NYC is much larger? Not only do they have resources but they have the clear sighted vision to see that skateboarding is the third most popular sport in the U.S. It dwarfs cycling in interest and participation. It is more than likely the very first VEHICLE an American will have and operate on the traffic grid. Portland's transportation alternative organizations and local governments consider the skateboard a vehicle. T.A. recently told me at NYC Summer Streets that your organization did not consider a skateboard a vehicle.
The skateboard is so clearly a vehicle, that citizens are using it as ALTERNATIVE TRANSPORTATION by the hundreds in NYC and across the entire country on a daily basis. University students across the land transport themselves to class each and every day on skateboards. These numbers continue to rise steadily. Yet an organization named Transportation Alternative's is to blind and regressive to take note and makes "budgetary reasons" the excuse to not focus attention no matter how small on this critical issue.
If it were only to protect the mission T.A. serves presently, T.A. should immediately begin to study skateboard + bicycle mixed, traffic flow. This mixed traffic flow will begin to exhibit characteristics with turbulence resulting in safety statistics and your organization does not so much as think to get a few interns on the case to study it.
With all the interest in alternative transport, I find this very hard to believe. It is extremely hard to believe when this critical vehicular mix is going unchecked and statistics will go completely overlooked while your present members, (Me. I want this studied, I commute by bike) begin to have collisions generated due in some part to no guidance given to the public. With no leadership other than antiquated, regressive (regarding skateboards) New York State, D.O.T. law to serve the citizenry and politicians that could care less about "one less car" progressive policy how else but the school of hard knocks will this go?.
What I believe is, T.A. considers the skateboard a toy and not worthy of even a student level glance at being a possible public policy implement for progressive urban transport change. This is short sighted to the extreme and clearly Portland's "Ture Choice" policy proves this without a shadow of a doubt.
The skateboard is so ingrained in the American public I assure you there are graduate level, transport policy students more then willing to take on this kind of study and TA is to blind to make a simple request, nor put their good name behind the effort? Incredible.
This is because T.A. imagines that politically the fall out shall be to big. Have some courage and at least tell it to me as it is. T.A. fails to have the political courage to stand up and do what is right as they have in Portland OR, plain and simple. I am asking again as a T.A. member in good standing that T.A. begin to examine skateboard traffic flow and help to implement policy for the citizens of this city and the country to follow safely. People need rules to follow for us all to be safe. Skateboard commuting is quickly growing as an alternative transport modality and we shall see many avoidable accidents begin to happen in the absence of safe skateboard commuting safety policy.
I will advocate and I will begin to take these simple facts to the media so the conversation might begin to include more then you and I. The story will be, "Why does T.A. not have the interest to make the right choice, same as Portland, OR has, on supporting safe skateboard as transport traffic policy, when it's own city has hundreds, nearing thousands of skateboarders entering it's traffic grid?" This is the issue here. Portland has proved it is possible and T.A. refutes it blindly on weak political will and completely negates even the study of skateboard+bicycle mixed use lanes, when it is clearly occurring by the hundreds daily.
Elena, you mention (scooters, unicycles, rollerblades, segways, etc.) and compare them to skateboarders as if there was one of these kinds of commuters on every corner every day. This is not the case at all. Yet there is a skateboarder on every corner using their humble vehicle to alternatively transport themselves across town, everyday. All the while an organization devoted to alternative transportation organization will not so much as support the very description of the machine as a "vehicle."
I encourage you to take note of the efforts of Tom Miller, Director of the Transportation Bureau in Portland, OR and his progressive "True Choice" approach to urban commuting. Mr. Miller and his constituents have chosen to implement skateboarder stick figure traffic signs. People need guidance. Imagine the days when streets had no traffic lights. Spectacular four way crashes on a daily basis occurred. This is the same guidance issue T.A. should be dealing with now.
Tom Miller and the city of Portland very much believe skateboard is transport. They recognize the obvious, that thousands and soon hundreds of thousands of citizens shall reach for a skateboard as their chosen vehicle for urban transportation alternative for short simple commutes. This cannot be stopped now. A ban will simply not be an option. The people will not allow it in New York. A ban would create mayhem and over burden the police. There is critical mass on this issue at this point.
The skateboard is the quintessential transport vehicle for urban distances of quarter mile to 2 miles. Nothing can match it's hyper efficient use as means of transport as well as storage efficiency. Not to mention, there are kids aged 3-7 on every corner riding three wheeled scooters these days. What a massive opportunity they pose as a means of generating a new generation of alternative transport commuters. T.A. is missing this as well.
Elena please, the next time you see more then four unicycles, rollerbladers or segways, throughout the course of just one week in NYC commuter traffic, let me know. Because I am seeing 10 skateboarders a day every day and often many more. All machines are worthy of some use. When they reach mass appeal and use, some reach noble status, the skateboard has reached this status. With an open and progressive mind T.A. should see this, if not, then Portland will help.
"We support you." Is what I was told as well by T.A. OK, so publicly, what is it T.A. will do to support skateboard as transport? We (all of NYC) are waiting for a formal reply.
Regards,
Enrique Cubillo, T.A. Member
Enrique Cubillo
SkateBoard is Transport, Your Advocate For Safe SkateBoard As Transport
http://skateboardistransport.blogspot.com/
FB : http://on.fb.me/rtaxLc
Twitter: @boardistransalt
__
Hi Enrique,
Thank you for continuing to support Transportation Alternatives. We appreciate your tenacity on the subject of skateboarders in NYC - advocates must be tireless and you certainly are!
As you know, being a member, T.A. fights for more equitable use of street space for everyone - anyone on New York City streets will benefit from saner and better use of our street space. There are many other modes of transportation that we are not able to directly address at T.A. (scooters, unicycles, skateboards, rollerblades, segways, etc.). We are a non-profit with a specific mission statement that we plan our work around. However, we encourage you to start organizing skateboarders and to perhaps start advocating for that option in ways that you find meaningful and have impact.
Good luck! In the meantime, please respect the multiple responses you've received from our staff on this issue; we hope you understand that we do not have unlimited resources here at T.A.
Thank you,
Elena, (T.A. Representative)
__
Hi Elena,
In Portland, OR they have resources for skateboard as transport awareness initiatives and for public policy on the issue. Portland is a far smaller city. What am I missing here? NYC is much larger? Not only do they have resources but they have the clear sighted vision to see that skateboarding is the third most popular sport in the U.S. It dwarfs cycling in interest and participation. It is more than likely the very first VEHICLE an American will have and operate on the traffic grid. Portland's transportation alternative organizations and local governments consider the skateboard a vehicle. T.A. recently told me at NYC Summer Streets that your organization did not consider a skateboard a vehicle.
The skateboard is so clearly a vehicle, that citizens are using it as ALTERNATIVE TRANSPORTATION by the hundreds in NYC and across the entire country on a daily basis. University students across the land transport themselves to class each and every day on skateboards. These numbers continue to rise steadily. Yet an organization named Transportation Alternative's is to blind and regressive to take note and makes "budgetary reasons" the excuse to not focus attention no matter how small on this critical issue.
If it were only to protect the mission T.A. serves presently, T.A. should immediately begin to study skateboard + bicycle mixed, traffic flow. This mixed traffic flow will begin to exhibit characteristics with turbulence resulting in safety statistics and your organization does not so much as think to get a few interns on the case to study it.
With all the interest in alternative transport, I find this very hard to believe. It is extremely hard to believe when this critical vehicular mix is going unchecked and statistics will go completely overlooked while your present members, (Me. I want this studied, I commute by bike) begin to have collisions generated due in some part to no guidance given to the public. With no leadership other than antiquated, regressive (regarding skateboards) New York State, D.O.T. law to serve the citizenry and politicians that could care less about "one less car" progressive policy how else but the school of hard knocks will this go?.
What I believe is, T.A. considers the skateboard a toy and not worthy of even a student level glance at being a possible public policy implement for progressive urban transport change. This is short sighted to the extreme and clearly Portland's "Ture Choice" policy proves this without a shadow of a doubt.
The skateboard is so ingrained in the American public I assure you there are graduate level, transport policy students more then willing to take on this kind of study and TA is to blind to make a simple request, nor put their good name behind the effort? Incredible.
This is because T.A. imagines that politically the fall out shall be to big. Have some courage and at least tell it to me as it is. T.A. fails to have the political courage to stand up and do what is right as they have in Portland OR, plain and simple. I am asking again as a T.A. member in good standing that T.A. begin to examine skateboard traffic flow and help to implement policy for the citizens of this city and the country to follow safely. People need rules to follow for us all to be safe. Skateboard commuting is quickly growing as an alternative transport modality and we shall see many avoidable accidents begin to happen in the absence of safe skateboard commuting safety policy.
I will advocate and I will begin to take these simple facts to the media so the conversation might begin to include more then you and I. The story will be, "Why does T.A. not have the interest to make the right choice, same as Portland, OR has, on supporting safe skateboard as transport traffic policy, when it's own city has hundreds, nearing thousands of skateboarders entering it's traffic grid?" This is the issue here. Portland has proved it is possible and T.A. refutes it blindly on weak political will and completely negates even the study of skateboard+bicycle mixed use lanes, when it is clearly occurring by the hundreds daily.
Elena, you mention (scooters, unicycles, rollerblades, segways, etc.) and compare them to skateboarders as if there was one of these kinds of commuters on every corner every day. This is not the case at all. Yet there is a skateboarder on every corner using their humble vehicle to alternatively transport themselves across town, everyday. All the while an organization devoted to alternative transportation organization will not so much as support the very description of the machine as a "vehicle."
I encourage you to take note of the efforts of Tom Miller, Director of the Transportation Bureau in Portland, OR and his progressive "True Choice" approach to urban commuting. Mr. Miller and his constituents have chosen to implement skateboarder stick figure traffic signs. People need guidance. Imagine the days when streets had no traffic lights. Spectacular four way crashes on a daily basis occurred. This is the same guidance issue T.A. should be dealing with now.
Tom Miller and the city of Portland very much believe skateboard is transport. They recognize the obvious, that thousands and soon hundreds of thousands of citizens shall reach for a skateboard as their chosen vehicle for urban transportation alternative for short simple commutes. This cannot be stopped now. A ban will simply not be an option. The people will not allow it in New York. A ban would create mayhem and over burden the police. There is critical mass on this issue at this point.
The skateboard is the quintessential transport vehicle for urban distances of quarter mile to 2 miles. Nothing can match it's hyper efficient use as means of transport as well as storage efficiency. Not to mention, there are kids aged 3-7 on every corner riding three wheeled scooters these days. What a massive opportunity they pose as a means of generating a new generation of alternative transport commuters. T.A. is missing this as well.
Elena please, the next time you see more then four unicycles, rollerbladers or segways, throughout the course of just one week in NYC commuter traffic, let me know. Because I am seeing 10 skateboarders a day every day and often many more. All machines are worthy of some use. When they reach mass appeal and use, some reach noble status, the skateboard has reached this status. With an open and progressive mind T.A. should see this, if not, then Portland will help.
"We support you." Is what I was told as well by T.A. OK, so publicly, what is it T.A. will do to support skateboard as transport? We (all of NYC) are waiting for a formal reply.
Regards,
Enrique Cubillo, T.A. Member
Enrique Cubillo
SkateBoard is Transport, Your Advocate For Safe SkateBoard As Transport
http://skateboardistransport.blogspot.com/
FB : http://on.fb.me/rtaxLc
Twitter: @boardistransalt
Saturday, August 6, 2011
The Word "Vehicle" Defined For Transportation Alternatives
Recently we were told in no uncertain terms by New York's leading advocate group for safer and saner urban commuting, Transportation Alternatives, a curious irregularity that led to the formation of this advocacy group for SkateBoard as Transport. T.A. told us the SkateBoard was not a vehicle.
We were quite taken by the comment, so much so, we doubted our own minds and even if we had ever understood the English language at all, ever. The most basic principles of common sense or common high school historical knowledge had taught us the skateboard is indeed a vehicle as it relates to humans getting from point A to point B while assited by any wheeled, mechanical or sliding means. As you will see in the definitions below. Yes, even a sled is a vehicle leaders at T.A. Transportation Alternatives, Transalt.org.
We had transported ourselves by means of a skateboard to the NYC Summer Streets, Transportation Alternatives event booth. Since we were sure we had not floated on thin air to the event, nor been cosmically tele-ported, and as far as we knew, a board with four wheels that transported load from one place to the next had constituted a vehicle for billions of people over thousands of years the globe over, our curiosity was peaked and we resolved to seek the definition from various sources so as not to imagine we had landed in an alternate universe where common, simple terms had lost their meaning. What we found was reassuring. We are not in a parallel universe where words have no meaning. Quite the contrary.
What has begun as a lame excuse by T.A. to not so much as even investigate and study the recent massive influx of skateboarding commuters onto the daily traffic grid of NYC's shared road ways, has spawned a new advocacy organization. Here below are a few definitions of vehicle T. A.
In the months and years to follow we shall as a group begin to advocate for safe and sane SkateBoard as Trasport. One day in the not to distant future, not only will T.A. refrain from such ridiculous and regressive ideas that are clearly holding back ALTERNATIVE TRANSPORTATION and TRANSPORTATION ALTERNATIVES for all citizens by way of skateboard, but the entire country shall recognize the noble skateboard as the quintessential, alternative transport vehicle, for short urban distance that offers it's operator a daily does of healthy balance, the third leg of full body life long fitness while getting them across town a 10-20 blocks carbon free (fuel-wise-OK nothing is carbon free I know). Alternatively, naturally. Can you imagine the morning rush hour coming off the tri-state Metro North and L.I.E lines and dropping a deck for the last 15 blocks instead of MTA and Bus usage? I can. I see a massive wave of children on three wheeled push scooters. What does T.A. think that sets those kids up for? T.A. needs a little help still. Lets begin with simple English shall we. The SkateBoard meets all the definitions below and then some. The SkateBoard T. A. is clearly a vehicle and it is high time you recognize it as such. Not doing so is regressive to the blind extreme.
We were quite taken by the comment, so much so, we doubted our own minds and even if we had ever understood the English language at all, ever. The most basic principles of common sense or common high school historical knowledge had taught us the skateboard is indeed a vehicle as it relates to humans getting from point A to point B while assited by any wheeled, mechanical or sliding means. As you will see in the definitions below. Yes, even a sled is a vehicle leaders at T.A. Transportation Alternatives, Transalt.org.
We had transported ourselves by means of a skateboard to the NYC Summer Streets, Transportation Alternatives event booth. Since we were sure we had not floated on thin air to the event, nor been cosmically tele-ported, and as far as we knew, a board with four wheels that transported load from one place to the next had constituted a vehicle for billions of people over thousands of years the globe over, our curiosity was peaked and we resolved to seek the definition from various sources so as not to imagine we had landed in an alternate universe where common, simple terms had lost their meaning. What we found was reassuring. We are not in a parallel universe where words have no meaning. Quite the contrary.
What has begun as a lame excuse by T.A. to not so much as even investigate and study the recent massive influx of skateboarding commuters onto the daily traffic grid of NYC's shared road ways, has spawned a new advocacy organization. Here below are a few definitions of vehicle T. A.
In the months and years to follow we shall as a group begin to advocate for safe and sane SkateBoard as Trasport. One day in the not to distant future, not only will T.A. refrain from such ridiculous and regressive ideas that are clearly holding back ALTERNATIVE TRANSPORTATION and TRANSPORTATION ALTERNATIVES for all citizens by way of skateboard, but the entire country shall recognize the noble skateboard as the quintessential, alternative transport vehicle, for short urban distance that offers it's operator a daily does of healthy balance, the third leg of full body life long fitness while getting them across town a 10-20 blocks carbon free (fuel-wise-OK nothing is carbon free I know). Alternatively, naturally. Can you imagine the morning rush hour coming off the tri-state Metro North and L.I.E lines and dropping a deck for the last 15 blocks instead of MTA and Bus usage? I can. I see a massive wave of children on three wheeled push scooters. What does T.A. think that sets those kids up for? T.A. needs a little help still. Lets begin with simple English shall we. The SkateBoard meets all the definitions below and then some. The SkateBoard T. A. is clearly a vehicle and it is high time you recognize it as such. Not doing so is regressive to the blind extreme.
l
1.
any means in or by which someone travels or something is carried or conveyed; a means of conveyance or transport:.
2.
a conveyance moving on wheels, runners, tracks, or the like, as a cart, sled
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