Weekend Argus (Saturday Edition)
Skateboarders drive residents up the wall
SKATEBOARDING youths trouble motorists as they career along busy roads in Hout Bay and neighbouring suburbs.
Motorists say they have had to duck and dive as youths from the ages of 10 upwards roll down the roads in the residential areas like Imizamo Yethu, Hangberg, and Llandudno.
These are usually children involved in downhill skating, with some using skating as a mode of transport in their neighbourhoods.
According to skating professionals, this is a rare type of skating which is not yet catered for in South Africa, as it needs designated steep platforms.
Nceba Khiza, a resident, said: “It’s like these kids don't care about their lives or anyone. They see nothing wrong. We understand it’s a sport, and they have rights, but who’s going to get a bad record if they get hit by cars?”
Roscoe Jacobs, a community activist, said it was a worrisome scenario that needed to be addressed.
“Without violating anyone’s rights, what they are doing is wrong. The City of Cape Town must come on board and take what’s suggested by the public into consideration.”
Anthony Chemaly, the chairperson of the Hout Bay community policing forum, said: “This is becoming a trend, and it’s perplexing how fast-growing it is. We get complaints all the time, but when we get there, those kids are gone already, or they just run away.”
Vicki Scheffel, from Eyethu Skate Park, said this was a national problem as South Africa had not yet catered for this growing sport. She said it was time the government found ways to regulate it like all other sports.
She was seconded by Alyosha Diebold, who said it should be understood that skating was broad and had grown tremendously in South Africa.
“It doesn’t help that the government is resistant, saying it is not financially feasible to accommodate it. There’s no need to build a mountain, but having designated roads where, for example, skating would take place at certain hours, maybe three times a week, wouldn’t kill.”
He said responsible downhill skaters usually had spotters watching traffic, and participants were warned each time a car approached. “This is not always the case, though, as it’s difficult on long roads. However, the reckless individuals can’t be accounted for,” he said.
Wayne Dyason, spokesperson for City Law Enforcement, said: “This activity is a danger to traffic and pedestrians and is in contravention of the City’s Streets, Public Places and Prevention of Noise Nuisances By-Law and specifically a prohibition on skating, roller-skating and dangerous acts.
“We can charge people in terms of the by-law for non-compliance. They or their parents could also be held civilly liable for any damages that may occur as they were acting unlawfully at the time.
“If the offence is not committed in the presence of an officer, then the witness will have to give a statement to the officer and be prepared to testify in court, if necessary.”