HELPFUL ADVICE FOR INLINE SKATERS EVERYWHERE

One of my interests is marathon in-line skating. As a result I skate on main roads from time-to-time.  I don't skate on roads without shoulders.  If there is no shoulder, I don't skate it. I prefer to skate in parks of course as I've discussed in previously.  Beyond safety there is the law.  What is the law for skating on roadway? After all, if we don't skate sensibly on the roadways, local politicians and city councils will pass skate ban laws which will only take away our rights to the road and still allow kids to aggressive inline skate on city sidewalks. 

I've looked into this question from time-to-time.  From basic Internet research to discussing the matter with law enforcement. There seems to be conflict among many officers of the law.  The answer for Delaware inline skaters and inline skaters everywhere lies in motor vehicle statutes as far as police are concerned.  You may ask, "Is an inline skate a motor vehicle?"  It does not matter to a police officer. Police interpret it as they desire at the time they stop you. If they ticket you (as a pedestrian), then you must address your argument to the judge.  That has been the prevailing dilemma of inline skater discussion on the Internet in previous years.  Discerning police will not consider you a pedestrian, they will categorize you as a 'motor vehicle' and more specifically under the laws of bicyclists.

I've gone as far as to visit the my Local State Troupers office and discuss this rationally with police.  As in any situation, rational behavior is greeted with understanding and will to resolve the issue.  I can't stress this enough, check your attitude at the door if you enter a police station. 

When on the roadway however I've learned that depending on what trooper you encounter, you will find different positions. The good news is most Police agree inline skaters are subject to the same law of bicyclists.  

INLINE SKATERS SHOULD BE TREATED AS BICYCLIST
The problem is interpretation of what an inline skater is.  If we are considered bicyclist then in Delaware Title 21 Chapter 41 Applies to us.  And this is what all inline skaters should hope for.  Without inline skaters being seen as bicyclist, we lose all our rights to the roadway.  We are then considered pedestrians.  As pedestrians we have to skate against the traffic pattern from the shoulders.  It has many implications.  Consider you are skating while a friend is on a bike.  You would both be forced to ride on opposite sides of the road and frankly more of a danger in some cases. 

WHERE AND HOW IT ALL BEGAN

VIDEO: Skating At Home

Some time ago when I was a boy of 14 I learned to roller-skate.  I had to.  Every friend I knew was at the roller rink.  I didn't consider the learning curve, I just did it.  By the age of 16 when I could finally drive and didn't need my parents to drop me off at the skating rink I almost didn't have much use for it.  But I continued as it was a great place to meet girls. Let's face it, I was 16.  But eventually even the lure of the female persuasion couldn't keep me at the skating rink, there was a lot of world to see and I hung up my skates for some time.  Eventually I'd learn to snow ski and later on water ski.  My strong ability to skate came in handy.  I once tried to ice-skate and found that it was not the same as skating on four wheels, this made me wary when the a new type of skate came along... the inline skate or rollerblade as many people will call them still.  They are called inline skates because the skate wheels are inline, centered under your foot.  Believe it or not an out-of-line skate has come on and they may be my next purchase, just two wheels and they are on the side of the foot.  I've listed at the bottom of this article some good skating resource links.  NOTE: Remember you don't need speed skates for recreational skating.  You don't want to jump barrels in speed skates, you only need good pads and a helmet.  You should also own wrist guards too if not round out the whole set with elbow pads IF you intend to jump, grind or slalom.  If you are learning, these are must have investments.  But I'm getting ahead of myself... let me tell the story...