Prince Rupert council isn't a fan of the idea of banning longboards from city streets but, following a presentation by Const. Maury Tyre, they will take steps to regulate the popular sport more closely.
Tyre came to the Aug. 19 meeting at the request of council, and spoke about the dangers associated with longboarding.
"There is a really good chance someone is going to end up dead when they are hit by a vehicle while riding a longboard ... there have been deaths related to the use of longboards, but more so to do with the attitude than the equipment," he said.
"It is an issue. We see a lot of it because we drive around at night a lot, and that is when we receive most of the complaints."
Other municipalities have taken a variety of steps to address the issue. Victoria, for instance, banned longboards while North Vancouver treats the boards more like bikes but with different rules, include the need for helmets, reflective gear and having a spotter at and intersections before making a turn. Other municipalities, said Tyre, have put in place similar rules but have also taken the step of banning longboards from certain streets.
Currently the City of Prince Rupert has a bylaw in place that prohibits rollerblades, skateboards, skis and sleds from the streets, but it is sparsely enforced and comes with only a $25 fine. Councillors in attendance felt the fine simply wasn't enough and directed staff to review the bylaw. Among the ideas brought forward were to ban the boards entirely on 2nd Ave. West and McBride, increase the fines and regulate the hours of operation.
"With longboards, I'm not sure there is enough area to put the necessary reflective tape on to let people know they are there. I'm not sure it shouldn't be ok during the day but not at night," said Councillor Anna Ashley, who found support in Councillor Judy Carlick-Pearson.
"If parents are willing to let them do a sport so high risk, they should be willing to help educate them and pay for unsafe behaviour. I would like to see something like a $45 fine for a first [unsafe behaviour] offence, $75 for a second and confiscation on the third," said Carlick-Pearson.
Councillor Joy Thorkelson said something needs to be done soon before someone gets seriously hurt.
"Where I live, they go down 6th Ave. East, past Pjs, turn down George Hills Way and then turn on to dry dock road, and every time they do it, it makes me sick to my stomach watching," she said.
"I believe there is a difference between a bike and rollerblades or a longboard because bikes have brakes. I feel you have more control on a bike."