A proposal to lift a late-night ban on skateboards as a mode of transportation in Banff has been put on hold until Oct. 11.
On Monday (Sept. 26), Banff council passed first reading of an amendment to the traffic bylaw that would allow skateboarding as a mode of transportation from 11 p.m. to 7 a.m.
But a request by Councillor Leslie Taylor to postpone further readings until Oct. 11 to give the public more time to have their say and prepare a delegation was supported by council.
“I can’t oppose this since we’re looking for more public feedback, but I remind people to give their feedback whether it’s in support or not in support,” said Coun. Stavros Karlos, who is strongly in favour of lifting the ban.
The overall regulations governing skateboarding are mostly safety related, but the current traffic bylaw’s temporal restrictions were partly imposed because of noise concerns.
Tony Clark, the Town of Banff’s Bylaw Services manager, said the intent of the proposed amendment is to allow a skateboard to be used as a form of transportation after dark.
“The performance of tricks on a skateboard, where the wheels and deck repeatedly leave and hit the road surface, are not required if the intent is simply to transport the rider from point A to B,” he said.
The Alberta Traffic Act gives RCMP and bylaw officers the power to deal with riders using their skateboards in a manner deemed unsafe or creating loud or unnecessary noises.
Clark said the RCMP indicated lifting the night-time skateboarding ban could somewhat compromise safety.
“It’s to do with night-time safety and visibility of skateboarders,” he said. “They get a little frustrated when someone zips through a stop sign.”
Karlos said he will support the proposal to lift the ban, as many service industry workers want to skateboard as a mode of transportation to and from work.
“Any evidence out there on sound and noise is no more than the sound of a travelling vehicle,” he said.
“It’s a viable form of transportation. They will be subject to the Alberta Traffic Act and will be enforced as anyone else travelling on the highway.”
Coun. Paul Baxter opposed first reading of the bylaw.
