Skateboards may get right to use streets

SANDPOINT — If the Public Works Committee gets its way, the days of bicyclists having a monopoly on legal, non-motorized transportation in downtown Sandpoint will soon be over.

At its September meeting, the committee unanimously agreed to push forward a plan that would allow all non-motorized vehicles — including skateboards — to operate on downtown streets, a right currently given only to bicyclists.

Councilman John Reuter introduced the plan and said he sees no reason why only one form of non-motorized transportation should be permitted.

“I believe that as long as you’re obeying traffic laws, any non-motorized mode of transportation should be allowed on the streets,” he said.

Reuter said he only recently learned that skateboarding was illegal on downtown streets and would have brought the item to the agenda earlier had he known. He said skateboarders, particularly those who ride a larger variation called longboards, are already prevalent downtown, and his goal is only to decriminalize the activity.

“This isn’t a major change, but what it does is make sure our laws match our new comprehensive plan, which emphasizes multimodal transportation,” he said

The issue will be decided at tonight’s jam-packed City Council meeting. The council will also look into its water fluoridation ordinance and rule on a proposal to create a user fee for some Sandpoint Fire Department calls.