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ENLARGE
BRECKENRIDGE — The Breckenridge council approved skateboarding on town streets — with conditions — after a lengthy public discussion between troops from both sides.
Mayor John Warner said that the decision Tuesday night was made with “trepidation and with a spirit of compromise” before casting his vote in favor of the measure.
Most of the seats in Town Hall were full with skaters, young and old. At least five opponents of the measure also attended.
Breckenridge resident Gary Renick said it’s dangerous to have skaters on the same streets as motor vehicles; he worries that skateboarders will lose control and collide with vehicles.
Chris Johnson, owner of Big Hit Skate and Snowboard Shop, said skaters merely wish to be treated equally with bicyclists. He said they’ll only be using the roads for five months per year, anyway.
“It doesn’t work so well in the snow,” he said.
Councilman Rob Millisor said that as much as he likes the “community character” skaters create, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission advises against skateboards on public streets.
“Skateboards and cars don’t mix,” he said.
Police Chief Rick Holman has said he doesn’t support allowing skateboarding on town streets because the safety concerns of many outweigh the transportation benefits of a few.
Renick said Wednesday that he doesn’t think the council went far enough in its revisions to address safety.
“I don’t understand their thinking,” he said of the council. “They don’t even listen to their chief of police, so they’re not going to listen to anybody else.”
He was especially concerned with the potential for accidents on Ridge Street near the post office.
“It’s very dangerous — all the sudden you got a skateboarder behind you you can’t see,” Renick said.
One of the comments in favor of skateboarding was that the devices are much cheaper than bicycles, allowing for locals with limited means to get to work and school.
Among revisions to the original ordinance, town attorney Tim Berry clarified that the municipal judge may require restitution be paid for damages caused by those who violate the ordinance.
Renick said he doubts the skateboarding demographic have the means to pay for damages caused if they lose control and hit a vehicle.
“None of them own property, they don’t pay any taxes. All they do is rent. And they sure don’t have money if they cant afford a bicycle,” he said.
Councilwoman Jennifer McAtamney said the stigma of skateboards as counterculture icons may have to do with why these devices have been banned in many places.
She said that just as Breckenridge was one of the first ski areas to allow snowboards, she is pleased to support the skateboards.
Councilman Dave Rossi said the matter comes down to “how much we can legislate personal responsibility.”
The ordinance will expire in a year.
“We’re giving a group a shot for a year to prove your case right or wrong,” Rossi said. “To me, we’re giving the police something else to do.”
He added that the measure is basically allowing something that’s already happening.
Age was a popular discussion topic, as well, with some calling for no restrictions.
The legislation states street skaters must be at least 15 unless accompanied by a “competent person” who’s 18 or older.
Predominantly residential neighborhoods are an exception to the age requirement.
Regardless of the outcome, there were no cross words between factions, and many skate-supporters even applauded comments made by the other side.
Town manager Tim Gagen said the ordinance will be official within the next two weeks.
Town spokeswoman Kim DiLallo said the town is working out the details regarding signage on the streets where skateboarding will be prohibited.
Robert Allen can be contacted at (970) 668-4628 or rallen@summitdaily.com.
Mayor John Warner said that the decision Tuesday night was made with “trepidation and with a spirit of compromise” before casting his vote in favor of the measure.
Most of the seats in Town Hall were full with skaters, young and old. At least five opponents of the measure also attended.
Breckenridge resident Gary Renick said it’s dangerous to have skaters on the same streets as motor vehicles; he worries that skateboarders will lose control and collide with vehicles.
Chris Johnson, owner of Big Hit Skate and Snowboard Shop, said skaters merely wish to be treated equally with bicyclists. He said they’ll only be using the roads for five months per year, anyway.
“It doesn’t work so well in the snow,” he said.
Councilman Rob Millisor said that as much as he likes the “community character” skaters create, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission advises against skateboards on public streets.
“Skateboards and cars don’t mix,” he said.
Police Chief Rick Holman has said he doesn’t support allowing skateboarding on town streets because the safety concerns of many outweigh the transportation benefits of a few.
Renick said Wednesday that he doesn’t think the council went far enough in its revisions to address safety.
“I don’t understand their thinking,” he said of the council. “They don’t even listen to their chief of police, so they’re not going to listen to anybody else.”
He was especially concerned with the potential for accidents on Ridge Street near the post office.
“It’s very dangerous — all the sudden you got a skateboarder behind you you can’t see,” Renick said.
One of the comments in favor of skateboarding was that the devices are much cheaper than bicycles, allowing for locals with limited means to get to work and school.
Among revisions to the original ordinance, town attorney Tim Berry clarified that the municipal judge may require restitution be paid for damages caused by those who violate the ordinance.
Renick said he doubts the skateboarding demographic have the means to pay for damages caused if they lose control and hit a vehicle.
“None of them own property, they don’t pay any taxes. All they do is rent. And they sure don’t have money if they cant afford a bicycle,” he said.
Councilwoman Jennifer McAtamney said the stigma of skateboards as counterculture icons may have to do with why these devices have been banned in many places.
She said that just as Breckenridge was one of the first ski areas to allow snowboards, she is pleased to support the skateboards.
Councilman Dave Rossi said the matter comes down to “how much we can legislate personal responsibility.”
The ordinance will expire in a year.
“We’re giving a group a shot for a year to prove your case right or wrong,” Rossi said. “To me, we’re giving the police something else to do.”
He added that the measure is basically allowing something that’s already happening.
Age was a popular discussion topic, as well, with some calling for no restrictions.
The legislation states street skaters must be at least 15 unless accompanied by a “competent person” who’s 18 or older.
Predominantly residential neighborhoods are an exception to the age requirement.
Regardless of the outcome, there were no cross words between factions, and many skate-supporters even applauded comments made by the other side.
Town manager Tim Gagen said the ordinance will be official within the next two weeks.
Town spokeswoman Kim DiLallo said the town is working out the details regarding signage on the streets where skateboarding will be prohibited.
Robert Allen can be contacted at (970) 668-4628 or rallen@summitdaily.com.
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