Longboarding at LBCC

 Cruising on Campus

Getting hit by a longboarder on the way to class would suck. Luckily, I have never had that experience.

 Fear of unawareness defeats timeliness and cost efficiency. This may be from interpreting the anti-skateboard policy at LBCC, or from student awareness.

 LBCC policy dictates that students may not ride any “wheeled conveyances,” according to Safety and Loss Prevention Manager Marcene Olson. This includes longboards, skateboards, bicycles, unicycles and scooters. The policy states that students may not ride them on campus - minus the road. LBCC may not be thinking of the benefits longboarding provides to students, and the negative effects the policy creates.

 LBCC student Hunter Burge rides his longboard at least once a week and commutes to the Albany campus from Sweet Home.

"I think it’s fun. It’s a nice way to get some exercise in while commuting short distances, and even long distances,” says Burge.

 Burge admits to have been close to running into someone before, but had complete control of the situation. Olson, on the other hand, believes students should not ride wheeled conveyances on campus. According to her, LBCC has asked a few people to not ride on campus, but no one has been hurt this year.

 Anthony Bedoy, writer for The Beacon at the University of Portland, said in his opinion column "Longboarding: The best way to get around campus," the average longboard costs $75 to $150, but the average bike costs $100 to $300 or more. With that in mind, longboards may be better fiscally.

LBCC should reconsider their anti-longboarding policy. With the unhealthy smoke shacks next to where everyone parks, the slippery stairs located outside, and the flooded entrance to the Learning Center, longboarding sounds tame. I'd rather wreck on my board than be exposed to cancerous toxins.


AT A GLANCE:

Pros: Fiscally cheaper than bikes, better for the environment than cars, easily carried from class to class, and health properties.

Cons: Crashing tendencies, and running into other students.

LBCC Anti-Skateboarding policy.