11.54.030 Skateboard Regulations
The following regulations apply to the operation of a skateboard on a public street, sidewalk or public property:
A. Protective Headgear. Any person operating a skateboard shall wear protective headgear of a type approved under ORS 815.052 for bicycle helmets. Provided, however, protective headgear shall be required only when operating a skateboard on public property including streets, sidewalks and parks. Headgear is recommended on private property.
B. Yield Right-of-Way. Any person operating a skateboard shall yield the right-of-way to any vehicle, such as a motor vehicle or bicycle, or pedestrian including yielding the right-of-way to any vehicle when approaching or crossing a driveway.
C. Standing Position. Any person operating a skateboard shall operate the skateboard in a standing position unless operated in conformance with rules established by the Ashland Park Commission within a city park designated for skateboard use under section 11.54.020.
D. Operating on Right-hand Side. While on a street, a person shall ride a skateboard as close as practicable to the right-hand curb or edge of the roadway.
E. Single File. No person shall ride a skateboard on any street alongside another person riding a skateboard, bicycle or motor vehicle unless overtaking and passing such skateboard, bicycle or motor vehicle.
F. Equipment. No skateboard shall be operated on any public street or sidewalk between 30 minutes after sunset and 30 minutes before sunrise unless the skateboard or rider is equipped with lighting equipment that meets the following requirements:
1. The lighting equipment must show a white light visible from a distance of at least 500 feet to the front of the skateboard.
2. The lighting equipment must have a red reflector or lighting device or material of such size or characteristic and so mounted as to be visible from all distances up to 600 feet to the rear when directly in front of lawful lower beams of headlights on a motor vehicle.
G. Traffic Control Devices. Any person operating a skateboard shall obey the instructions of official traffic control signals, signs and other control devices applicable to vehicles.
H. Traffic Regulations. The operation of a skateboard on a street shall be subject to all of the provisions or laws of the State and the laws of the City, including those applicable to the drivers of vehicles, except as to the latter, those provisions that by their very nature have no application.
I. Operation on Sidewalks. No person shall operate a skateboard on a sidewalk:
1. So as to suddenly leave a curb or other place of safety and move into the path of a vehicle that is so close as to constitute an immediate hazard.
2. Without giving an audible warning before overtaking and passing a pedestrian.
3. At a speed greater than an ordinary walk when approaching or entering a crosswalk, approaching or crossing a driveway or crossing a curb cut or pedestrian ramp and a vehicle is approaching the crosswalk, driveway, curb cut or pedestrian ramp. This paragraph does not require reduced speeds for skateboards either:
a. At places on sidewalks or other pedestrian ways other than places where the path for pedestrians or bicycle traffic approaches or crosses that for motor vehicle traffic; or
b. When motor vehicles are not present. Except as otherwise specifically provided in this chapter, an operator of a skateboard on a sidewalk or in a crosswalk has the same rights and duties as a pedestrian on a sidewalk or in a crosswalk.
J. Racing. No person shall engage in, or cause others to engage in, a skateboard race upon the streets, sidewalks or any other public property. Provided, however, that it shall not be a violation of this subsection if racing occurs in conformance with rules established by the Ashland Park Commission within a city park designated for skateboard use under section 11.54.020.
K. Hitching on Vehicles. No person while operating a skateboard shall in any way attach themselves or the skateboard to any moving motor vehicle.
L. Careless Riding. No person shall ride a skateboard in a careless manner. Riding in a careless manner means the person rides a skateboard in a manner that endangers or would be likely to endanger any person or property. (Ord. 3027, amended, 08/03/2010)