In general, skateboarders in California do not ride in the street because it is not legal. However, there are instances where skateboarders must cross the street or use the bike lane. Each city in California regulates what skateboarders are permitted to do, but each skateboarder must follow California skateboard laws to ensure their safety, as well as the safety of others.
California Skateboard Law
While California transfers skateboard safety and regulation responsibility to each city, there are still some statewide skateboarding laws listed in California’s legislative code. These laws state:
- Skateboarders under the age of 18 are required by law to wear helmets at all times
- Section 21968 prohibits the use of motorized skateboards on roadways, trails, and sidewalks
- Must stop at stop signs and red lights
- Must yield to all vehicles at yield signs
- Skateboarders are required to yield to both marked and unmarked crosswalks
- Must not impede traffic or interfere with the flow of traffic
- Cannot be towed by a motor vehicle or bicycle at an unsafe speed
- Skateboarders must yield to bicyclists in the bike lane
- Skateboarders cannot leave a curb or any roadside place of safety and travel in the path of a vehicle
Protective Skateboard Equipment
Before setting out to skateboard at a skatepark, the sidewalk, or even your driveway, you should suit up with protective skateboard equipment. Skateboard safety equipment includes:
- A properly fitting helmet: no matter what age you are, a properly fitting helmet can save your life when skateboarding. It may take you a while to find the perfect helmet, but having one that stays on your head while bombing hills or attempting risky tricks is essential to your safety.
- Wrist guards: wrist guards help support the wrist and reduce the chances of you breaking your wrist bone if you fall forward. A wrist fracture is one of the most common skateboarding injury according to the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons.
- Knee and elbow pads: tumbling down half pipes, cement hills, or taking serious spills off your skateboard can cause serious damage to your limbs. Your elbows and knees are highly susceptible to injury in any accident, which is why it is a good idea to equip yourself with knee and elbow pads anytime you go out skateboarding.
California Skateboard Injury Statistics
Even with safety equipment and safety laws, not every skateboarding injury is preventable. But one thing you can do is understand just how risky skateboarding is so you know what to expect and how to handle the aftermath of a skateboarding injury.
According to a study done by the National Library of Medicine, the average age for serious skateboarding injuries was 19 years old, with only 14% of all skateboarding injuries occurring in those 30 years and older. Additionally, 50% of all skateboarding injuries required emergency care.
In 2022, 230,506 people were treated in emergency rooms after being injured while skateboarding with 61,546 of those injuries occurring in skateboarders ages 15 to 24, according to the NSC.
According to the Semantic Scholar, neurosurgical intervention was needed in 14% of all skateboarding head-related injuries. Unfortunately, even with helmets, head injuries in skateboarding are still prevalent with 75% of all hospital-admitted skateboarding accidents being head injuries.
According to world-famous skateboarder Tony Hawk who has suffered hundreds of skateboarding injuries, his worst skateboarding injury was a broken femur. This particular injury has resulted in numerous complications and took him away from any physical activity for almost a year.
Contact a California Skateboard Injury Lawyer
If you or a loved one was seriously injured in a skateboarding accident while riding on the street, Maison Law can help. Our team of attorneys will advise you regarding liability and aggressively pursue fair compensation on your behalf. Skateboarders often have a bad reputation with law enforcement and can be assigned blame, even when they’re not at fault. At Maison Law, we protect skateboarder’s rights and protect them from liability. Contact Maison Law today for a no-cost, no-obligation consultation.
