Police and civic leaders lined up to condemn “roller skate boards” in 1964. The boards, used in the brand new craze of “sidewalk surfing” were slammed as illegal, dangerous, and a menace to public safety. The Pacific Times carried an article on 10th December 1964 referring to a string of minor accidents treated at Mona Vale Hospital. At Warringah Mall, skate board riders had crashed through plate glass windows and had knocked down shoppers, and a ban had been placed on them by Mall management.
There was stated to be a “bonehead” element among the older types of rider, some of them as old as 17 or 18. Manly Council was to debate imposing a ban on skate boards at its next meeting. However, Aldermen discovered that they were powerless to cope with the situation, having only two rangers, who did not have the power to impound boards. “When the schools break up, motorists will be driving in a nightmare,” stated one Alderman, who conceded that some of the children were very clever at what they could do on a skateboard. The Council moved to ask the Department of Local Government to regulate skateboarding.
There was stated to be a “bonehead” element among the older types of rider, some of them as old as 17 or 18. Manly Council was to debate imposing a ban on skate boards at its next meeting. However, Aldermen discovered that they were powerless to cope with the situation, having only two rangers, who did not have the power to impound boards. “When the schools break up, motorists will be driving in a nightmare,” stated one Alderman, who conceded that some of the children were very clever at what they could do on a skateboard. The Council moved to ask the Department of Local Government to regulate skateboarding.
No comments:
Post a Comment