Skateboarding Laws In California
Skateboarding laws in general skateboarding laws are regulated by state and local ordinances typically within a jurisdictions health safety code or state traffic laws they vary from state to state and town to town.
Skateboarding laws in california. If you don t pay attention to this difference the law becomes confusing. California already has laws dating back to the late 70 s that ban motorized skateboards. Because skateboarding is an inherently dangerous activity laws exist to regulate ban or control skateboarding in certain locations and circumstances. California recently passed a law ab 604 that makes it legal to own and operate electric skateboards in the state as long as the board fits a specific definition.
When skating in the streets the laws are probabl. Skateboarding is an action sport that involves riding and performing tricks using a skateboard as well as a recreational activity an art form an entertainment industry job and a method of transportation. Any child younger than 12 years of age must be accompanied by a parent or a guardian when at the skate park. A 2009 report found that the skateboarding market is worth an estimated 4 8 billion in annual.
A prohibits skateboarding on any city street at any time on any sidewalk in any business district at any time and on any non business district sidewalk commencing 30 minutes after sunset and ending 30 minutes before sunrise traffic code section 100. A a person under 18 years of age shall not operate a bicycle a nonmotorized scooter or a skateboard nor wear in line or roller skates nor ride upon a bicycle a nonmotorized scooter or a skateboard as a passenger upon a street bikeway as defined in section 890 4 of the streets and highways code or any other public bicycle path or trail unless that person is wearing a properly fitted and fastened bicycle helmet that meets the standards of either the american society for testing and. This is different than the law from the 1970s that banned motorized skateboards which was designed to target noisy and dangerous gasoline powered boards. Prohibits motorized skateboards on streets sidewalks or any other part of a highway or on any bikeway bicycle path.
This means helmets knee pads and elbow pads designed for skateboarding. Skateboarding has been shaped and influenced by many skateboarders throughout the years. Skateboarders under the age of 18 must wear a helmet on any street bikeway or other public bicycle paths. So its not illegal to skate in california but i believe it is illegal to skate on private property without the owners permission.
California vehicle code 21968 a states that a motorized skateboard cannot be used on any sidewalk roadway or any part of a highway bikeway park or trail equestrian or hiking or recreational trial. Skaters must be in full safety gear in order to use the skate park. Prior to this law there was no definition of electrically motorized boards so all electric skateboards were motorized skateboards.