Tragedy Strikes BC

[ChrisMcB]

http://www.cbc.ca/canada/british-columbia/story/2010/07/09/bc-longboarding-skateboarding-fatal.html

My condolences for the entire BC longboarding community, and my thoughts go out to her family. This is just devastating news.

[krylon_ninja]

My post to that forum thread:

Pffff. Once again the lazy car drivers weigh in and let us know that the roads are in THEIR minds 'only for ' them. Roads are about NOT just cars, but transportation for people who need and or just WANT to get from one place or another. Recreation is a major mainstay in any economy whether you are driving to a park *in your car or RV)OR happen to recreate by riding your bike or skateboard on the same street.
I am sure the drivers who think the road is "for cars" will not put their cell phones down so that it can be safer for other cars. Etc. Etc...it is the same old story. It is VERY disrespectful, IMO that ANY part of this girls death reverts to the selfish argument of who 'owns' the roads. the roads are for EVERYBODY. I know that when somebody dies in a car today...you will NOT see a discussion on whether we should allow cars on the roads!!! You won't see a mass of skateboarders claiming that the roads 'do or should' belong only to them.
I live in the states, and while I ride longboard...streetluge....bicycle and have two cars for work and business, I know that ONE basic thing is true: BAD drivers are everywhere and getting around on our roads in every way. But it is the CAR drivers(not the skateboarders!)who are busy yapping away on the phone...eating...shaving...and too often acting as if they are in a living room on wheels. Cars and ambivalence toward the realities of the road have taken over WAY too much and for too long. I am convinced that if most of the people relaxing as 'Kings' in their cars had to learn to ride a longboard with any skill that they would fall flat on their face a number of times doing so. And i am VERY sure they would not be on the phone or so easily dismissing the recreational rights to the road of those who DO ride skateboards.

added: I almost died twice on a motorcycle in years past due to a non'thinking driver. I fractured my back in two places when a mustang made a left turn right in front of me. My pregnant wife could have been killed in another accident when a car driver (who was looking RIGHT AT US BEFORE SHE DID IT)pulled right out in front of us. Now...here are the problems or near death experiences I have had from skateboarders: Uhhhh...can't find any.