rollerblading and skateboarding on boardwalk.

I believe that the rule for no skateboard/rollerblades should be altered. I understand the idea that there are too many people on the boardwalk during peak hours, however skateboards specifically, are safer and easier to use and avoid other pedestrians than bicycles. If these means of transportation and exercise are banned than bicycles should be as well. The streets and sidewalks in long beach are atrocious, filled with potholes and cracks that it makes any form of exercise extremely difficult, cumbersome, and dangerous. In addition, the amount of cars on the streets would cause more minor and serious injuries to any child or adult that skateboards, rollerblades, or scooters on the streets than the boardwalk ever could. People on forms of exercise and transportation aside from bicycles are people as well and deserve the same amount safety and care as the rest of the town. If they are so afraid of “the danger” that these forms of exercise can cause to others, then the rule should become amended amended to address the use of the equipment during non-peak hours, or at the very least just do not allow “reckless riding” such as “tricks”. A lot of people enjoy just cruising on boards or rollerblades and do not perform “tricks” or jumps or any form of that style or riding. 

New York State Law prohibits only reckless skating but does allow general skating. Also, New York State Law shows that skaters and roller bladers are given the same rights as those who ride bicycles and should follow the same rules (I.e. If there is a bicycle lane, people on roller blades and skateboards are required to use it.) The boardwalk does in fact have a bike lane. It is not fair to limit all forms of riding when many ride in a form that New York State considers safe and legeal. This would allow the residents of long beach to enjoy the boardwalk to the full extent while still providing safety to the residents and visitors. Long beach is a rare place where not only children skateboard, but adults as well and this would allow them to still enjoy this past time while ensuring everyone’s safety.