When out in a public space it’s often difficult to find a sign that prohibits micromobility vehicles such as bikes, skateboards and scooters. The signs don’t have to be related to these vehicles; they can be signs for directions or warnings like people crossing, but they all boil down to one thing: safety.
At Brookhaven, “No skateboarding” signs can be found all throughout the campus. This has been an active ban that was initiated in 2022.
The ban hasn’t been around for long. Chief deputy of police Mark Lopez said, “It is my understanding that there was an injury and several safety incidents that prompted this guideline.” These events involved knocking people over and an injury that was caused by an attempt doing a trick, according to a previous article by The Courier.
Skateboarding is a form of transportation much like any other, such as biking and roller skating. While this ban is to prevent any accidents or traffic, some oppose an indifferent view on the ban. Former student Eric Kuhns said, “I would say that it seems strange they would ban skateboarding when all other sports are still allowed [and] can produce the same injuries”.
Another student, Adrien Fuentes, has been skateboarding for eight months, and started skating to classes for two weeks before being asked to stop by a staff member. Fuentes agreed with what Kuhns said and followed with the statement, “If they really care about safety, they would ban biking… it seems a little unfair.”
Brookhaven is one of few Texas colleges that has this policy or has it slightly adjusted. Collin College allows only outdoor skateboarding. At the University of Texas at Dallas skateboarding is allowed as long as you stay out of buildings and parking lots, as well as give pedestrians the right of way. Chief Lopez said that before the ban, there was no guideline for campus police to deal with skateboards.
There were no other incidents that contributed to the ban even after it was initiated. If someone is seen with a skateboard, they will be asked to stop like Fuentes was earlier this year.
Fuentes was asked of what he would change if he was in charge. He said, “As long as you’re not bothering anyone or pushing people out of the way everything should be allowed, or maybe designate a certain area for skating.”
