Currently, in your California legislature, there is a movement under foot to loosen the restrictions and requirements on skateboard park operation.

Present law mandates that skateboard park operators require helmets be worn during operation of the park and when boarders are using the park. It also requires that elbow pads and knee pads be worn. The typical skateboarder is a person under the age of 18, although it can include adults.

Additionally, current law requires that skateboard parks report injuries so that information can be amassed on safety.

Assembly bill 874 attempts to loosen those requirements. Elbow and knee pads would not be required, and reports of injury would no longer be required.

The need for elbow pads and head protection is readily apparent in any skateboarding adventure. To require that the parks have their users wear such equipment is not intrusive or overly burdensome when considering the traumatic injuries that are likely to occur in the absence of such.

I believe this to be a step in the wrong direction. The purpose of elbow and knee pads is not only to protect the user, but to protect us from having to send out emergency personnel when someone has sustained a serious injury. Wearing protection is a very insignificant inconvenience, and anyone watching professional skateboarding sees those same skateboarders wearing the equipment. Additionally, a reporting requirement seems a reasonable way to monitor the types and amount of injuries that occur at these skateboard parks.

I believe this to be a bad idea, and one that should be defeated inside the legislative branch.