(a) It is the purpose of this section to provide for and promote the health, safety and welfare of the general public, including those who wish to use skateboards, roller blades and roller skates on public streets and sidewalks, as well as those who drive motor vehicles, and pedestrians who use the sidewalks.
It is the specific intent of this section that none of its provisions are intended to impose any duty whatsoever upon the Village, or any of its officers or employees, for whom the implementation and enforcement of this section shall be discretionary and not mandatory.
The Village discourages the use of any skateboards, roler blades, or roller skates on the public streets or sidewalks of the Village for the reason that same poses a potential risk and harm to those performing such activities in the vicinity of motor vehicles, as well as to pedestrians who are walking on the sidewalks. However, the Village defers to the good judgment of parents and guardians in controlling the proper use of such items by their children or charges in such a manner as to protect their own safety as well as the safety of others. Nothing contained in this section is intended nor shall be construed to create or form the basis of any liability on the part of the Village, or its officers, employees or agents, for any injury or damage resulting from any action or inaction on the part of the Village related in any manner to the adoption and/or enforcement of this section of the Code.
(b) “Skateboard” means any platform device designed and intended to move or propel one or more riders over a hard surface by means of roller wheels utilizing gravity or human impetus. “Roller skates” and “roller blades” means any device fitted upon the human foot designed and intended to propel persons over hard surfaces by means of roller wheels utilizing gravity or human impetus.
(c) No person shall ride a skateboard or wear roller blades or roller skate devices upon public property within any retail or central business district of the Village, nor shall any person ride a skateboard or wear roller blades or roller skate devices upon any arterial public street or adjacent sidewalk anywhere within the Village corporate limits, which includes the following streets: Bell, East Washington, West Washington, Solon, Maple, South Franklin, Miles, East Orange, West Orange, South Main, North Main, North, Walters, Ridgewood, Cleveland, Mill, Church, East Summit, and West Summit.
(d) Every person riding a skateboard or wearing roller blades or roller skate devices shall do so on private property only with the permission of the person(s) in control thereof.
(e) Outside the retail and central business district, every person riding a skateboard or wearing roller blades or roller skate devices, shall operate on sidewalks, or public streets where no sidewalks exist, in single file as near to the right side of the sidewalk or roadway as is practical and shall exercise due care when passing or meeting other persons or property upon such sidewalk or public street area.
(f) Every person riding a skateboard or wearing roller blades or roller skate devices shall yield the right of way to all pedestrians at all times and shall pass them, without causing injury or reasonable fear for their safety, even if dismounting or the cessation of locomotion shall be necessary.
(g) Every person riding a skateboard shall dismount a skateboard at a street intersection and shall walk as a pedestrian across such intersection.
(h) No person shall ride a skateboard or wear roller blades or roller skate devices on public streets or sidewalks after sunset and before sunrise without wearing a reflective vest.
(i) Whoever violates any provision of this section shall be guilty of a minor misdemeanor.
(Ord. 1995-78. Passed 10-9-95.)