A nighttime ban on skateboarding as a mode of transportation in Banff has been lifted.
On Tuesday (Oct. 11), council passed second and third reading of an amendment to the traffic bylaw, thereby lifting the long-time ban on skateboards between 11 p.m. and 7 a.m.
After lengthy discussions on noise and public safety, about 20 skateboarders who turned up at council chambers broke into loud applause at the decision.
“Not as mayor, but as a mom, please be safe, please obey lights and signs and get a light (to make you visible),” said Mayor Karen Sorensen.
In one of the more entertaining delegations in council’s history, Mark Carroll, a skateboarder of 27 years, tried to dispel several myths and stereotypes.
In the face of some noise complaints, Carroll told council skateboards are far less intrusive than trucks, motorcycles, trains and especially drunken revellers.
Carroll said many residents employed in the nightlife and bar industry use skateboards as their primary mode of transport to and from work, often finishing a shift around 2 a.m. or later.
“They choose an environmentally friendly mode of transport, which doesn’t require fuel or a parking space, yet they are told they can’t skateboard home,” he said.
“Skateboarding deserves respect as a viable form of healthy, green transportation.”
Councillors Paul Baxter and Leslie Taylor voted in opposition to the amendment.
However, Taylor indicated she would have supported lifting the ban if her fellow councillors agreed to make it compulsory for skateboarders to wear a small light after dark.
She said people had expressed concern about motorists not seeing skateboarders at night before it was too late, particularly if they were dressed in dark clothing.
Taylor said she was convinced concerns about noise were not as widespread as she first thought, but said she believed council had a responsibility to public safety.
“We, as a council, are introducing a new activity at night in our town and it’s our responsibility to deal with public safety. We are taking an action that may have a consequence,” she said.
“What people are saying is they want to be able to see people, and a small and inexpensive light would make that possible. I believe this is not onerous.”
Coun. Stavros Karlos was sympathetic to Taylor’s efforts, but instead convinced his colleagues to look at safety issues after dark for all “non-combustion vehicular uses” at a later date.
“At some point we have to draw the line between over-regulating and personal responsibility,” said Karlos.
“There’s common sense. You can’t legislate against stupidity.”
To which Taylor replied: “Almost all legislation is legislation against stupidity.”
Coun. Grant Canning voiced his support for lifting the ban, but was against making it mandatory for skateboarders to wear a light.
“My concern is we’re tacking extra rules on top of this when it’s covered in other bylaws,” he said. “If we lift this ban, it’s not a free-for-all. There are other rules in place dealing with other issues like noise and safety.”
Baxter also voiced his opposition to lifting the current nighttime ban.
“I don’t think the original intent was to keep skateboarders down or control skateboarders,” he said. “I think it was because the general population was not feeling safe and comfortable in the community.”
In addition, council unanimously asked administration for a review in one year on the effects of lifting the after-dark ban on skateboards.
Meanwhile, a group of locals is trying to form a non-profit society of local skateboarders to begin a fundraising campaign for a permanent concrete skateboard park in Banff.
“We have already started the process of what is required to apply for government grants to aid us in our quest for a concrete skate park,” said Carroll.
