INSTRUCTIONS:THIS IS A PETITION. WE NEED SIGNATURES (electronically online) NOT JUST A THUMBS UP "LIKE" ON FACEBOOK. YOUR EMAIL AND POSTAL ADDRESS WILL REMAIN PRIVATE SO PLEASE SIGN AND HELP IMPROVE OUR COMMUNITY. IMPORTANT! YOU HAVE TO HIT THE "SIGN NOW" BUTTON A TOTAL OF 2 TIMES BEFORE YOUR SIGNATURE IS ACCEPTED. HAS NOT BEEN WORKING WELL ON SMARTPHONES SO IF YOU RUN INTO TROUBLE TRY IT FROM AN ACTUAL COMPUTER. THANX

In 2006 Columbia received $22 million in federal funds to help promote "ACTIVE MODES OF TRANSPORTATION" to benefit the health of our citizens and the environment. At the same time the City is fining citizens and confiscating their "active" modes of transport for doing just that.

Currently skateboarding and other similar modes of coasting devices are illegal in downtown Columbia and on all arterial and collector (main) streets within the city limits (ordinance section 14-5). This means it is illegal for anyone to use a skateboard as a non-motorized alternative mode of transport to get around town. Most citzens don't realize this but skateboarders risk having their skateboards being confiscated, a hefty fine or even arrested just for skating through downtown. Is this an efficient use of law enforcement personnel and resources? Im sure officers would rather hand out a friendly wave instead of a citation when someone is out enjoying a cruise on a beautiful day. Using a skateboard as transportation provides the same health and environmental benefits as a bicycle. The way our city regulates skateboarders is inconsistent with the kind of healthy, environmentally friendly community we strive to be.

Based on a 2004 participation study conducted by the Sporting Goods Manufacturers of America (SGMA), there are approximately 11.6 million skateboarders in America. This means skateboarding is the third most popular sport for American youth and is more popular than baseball, hockey, tennis and virtually every other traditional sport in the U.S. In Portland Oregon, skateboarding has been woven into parks and streets in the same manner as cycling or soccer. While skateboarding is illegal in less progressive cities, Portland's downtown is marked with skate routes featuring signs with a skateboarding stick figure. Portland is also building a network of skateparks scattered throughout the city, connected by skate-friendly bike-ways. We commend the City of Columbia for providing a great skateboarding facility in Cosmo Park that supports the popularity of the sport of skateboarding, but it is time to recognize skateboarding as an efficient, environmentally friendly, active mode of transportation that should be subject to the same rules and rights as bicyclist in our community. I thank you for your time and for your attention on this important issue.

LETS REALLY GET THE BALL, OR SHOULD I SAY WHEELS ROLLING PEOPLE. PLEASE SHARE THIS LINK WITH OTHERS! THEY DON'T HAVE TO SKATE EITHER. ANYONE THAT SUPPORTS A CLEAN HEALTHY ENVIRONMENT SHOULD BE SIGNING THIS. THANKS FOR THE SUPPORT.

P.S If you would like to be help play a bigger role in supporting this cause please write a letter to your councilman. http://www.gocolumbiamo.com/Council/Meet_The_Council/index.php I thank you for your time and for your attention on this important issue.