safe and reliable

Hi, my name is Tad Drysdale and I would like to tell you the truth about Skateboarding on the streets, first off I'd like to say that the girl in the photo should be wearing a helmet for sure just like someone on a bike should. That being said, I have ridden my longboard down that hill probably hundreds of times, and there is nothing less safe about it than riding a bike.

Skateboarders are no less visible than a bike and what most people don't understand is that skateboards or longboards do have brakes. I am not saying that every skateboarder knows how to brake but those with skill know how to foot brake.

I am 52 years old and stated riding longboards and skateboards when I was 47, and since then I have ridden down thousands of hills with thousands of cars in front of me, or behind me. Riding down hills alongside bikes.

Longboards are an excellent source of transportation, and a great recreation. Drivers are often unaware that we are capable of slowing or stopping when needed. Mostly we look like we are just going fast with out any brakes. But we do have good brakes.

The other thing is people think we will just fall down. With modern equipment, we are just a stable as a bike, yes if we hit a big pothole or a big patch of gravel we might fall, but that is just the same thing as with a bicycle - and by the way, I've been riding bicycles all my life also, so I do know what I am talking about. The only real difference between the two as far as safety goes, is that it takes some skills on a board to ride safely on the streets.

We have given many safety-training sessions to younger or inexperienced riders. They must start off slow, and work there way up to riding big hills. Just like bikes, we learn to stay off of bad roads with potholes and gravel. If you like further information on the subject or have a demonstration some time let me know. Thank you for listening.

Tad Drysdale

Seattle