What if my child wants to skateboard to and from school?
The department encourages students to walk or ride to school when the school and the parent or carer believe it is safe to do so. This may include wheeled devices such as skateboards, foot scooter or rollerblades as well as bikes.
Parents and carers are responsible for their child's safety on the way to and from school.
Can I skateboard to school?
It’s a common question many hear from their children: “Can I skateboard to school?”
Transport for NSW recommends:
- Children under 8 should always be supervised when riding and to ride away from busy roads.
- Children under 10 should be closely supervised when riding or walking
If your school and school community think it’s safe for your child to ride skateboards, scooters or rollerblades to and from school, parents are encouraged to discuss the following with them:
- Always wear a correctly fitted helmet.
- Follow the road rules for users of skateboards, foot scooters and rollerblades.
- Minimise distractions.
- Joining them on the journey.
Helmets
Insisting on your child always wearing a helmet when riding a skateboard, scooter or rollerblades is one of the most effective measures you can take to improve your child’s safety. It will keep your child safer and protect their head in a fall.
For the best protection, choose bicycle helmets that are accredited as complying with the Australian and New Zealand Standard and feature BSI, Global-Mark, SAI Global or AUS labels:
Wearing elbow pads and knee guards will also help to minimise injury by protecting your child's body in a fall.
The road rules
Parents and carers might be surprised to learn there are road rules for riders of skateboards, foot scooters and rollerblades.
Skateboards, foot scooters and rollerblades can be ridden on:
- the footpath unless there are signs saying you can't
- a road with no dividing lines or median strip
- a road where the speed limit is 50km/h or less
- a one-way road with less than two marked lanes.
Riders must keep as far left as possible and give way to pedestrians and drivers.
Skateboards, foot scooters and rollerblades can only be used on roads during daylight hours.
Your support in modelling these safe behaviours will help your child become a safe active traveller.
Distractions
All riders should minimise distractions by putting their phone and earphones in their pocket or school bag. This applies to you as a parent riding alongside your primary aged child.
Joining them on the journey
Riding with your child to and from school is a great form of physical activity. It is a perfect opportunity for your child to:
- learn how to ride safely
- be outdoors
- include physical activity as a normal part of their lifestyle.
So the answer to the question “Can I ride my skateboard to school?” is yes, if you think it is safe to do so and you want to take the journey with them.
The Centre for Road Safety has more information on safe riding.