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Thursday, 20 September 2007 |
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Page 8 of 21
Bikes And Other User Groups
BMX bicyclists often find the curved forms of skateparks attractive places to hone their skills. Like skateboarders, younger bicyclists often have difficulty finding compelling places to recreate safely (it may be pertinent to note that the average age of the stunt bicyclist is 24 years, while the average age of the skateboarder is 14). Initially, skateparks seem like a great solution for both user groups.
BMX park users are attracted to different structures and introduce additional maintenance needs. If the park design intentionally addressed safety and maintenance issues, bikers can be a vital user group.
There are precious few communities that provide enough terrain for their skateboarding citizens. Although there are fewer BMX riders interested in the type of riding that a skatepark allows, adding those users increases the need for available space. Adding user groups increases the spatial requirements. If the skatepark is too small, many users will be displaced onto the streets and the skatepark will hold little value. However, adding voices to the advocacy effort is also valuable and when active members of the BMX and inline skating community can help the skatepark effort, the group becomes even more diverse.
Bikes in skateparks present two significant concerns for its users and the entity responsible for keeping the facility safe.
First, bikes widen the scope of wear to the structures. Bike pegs, pedals, and handlebars easily chip concrete and wood alike. Even without the occasional spill, axle pegs rub along areas around coping that, if not designed and built for it, can be severely damaged.
Second, and much more important, bikes present safety issues for both bikers and skaters. Bikes are much faster than skateboards and their tricks are often much higher and longer. Bikes easily cross expanses and traverse bar-riers that skateboarders cannot, so unsuspecting skaters are more likely to collide with a bike than with another skater, whose movements are more predictable.
Experienced skateboarders can all testify to personal collisions with bikes at skateparks. For younger, less experienced riders unaccustomed to skatepark etiquette and awareness, bikes present a radical unknown that most are woefully unprepared for. A collision between a fast bike and a small skateboarder presents a greater likelihood of significant injuries than a collision between an adult and young skateboarder. Skateboards, even during aerial stunts, are rarely in positions to impact someone’s legs, back, or abdomen. The various parts of a bike (handlebars, pedals, pegs, etc.) pose a danger to anyone who might collide with them. Many skateboarders are comfortable sharing the facility with bikes, but there are many more who prefer not to. If the skaters in your community are wary of sharing the skatepark with bikes, consider staggering usage so bike riders have a designated time when they may use the park.
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Last Updated ( Sunday, 10 February 2008 )
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