Organizers of the City of Powell River’s longboarding event this week are hoping it will do the trick in promoting safety and consideration on city streets and sidewalks.
At Powell River City Council meeting on Thursday, June 19, council members issued a reminder about the event, designed to create awareness between longboarders, residents and the police. It will be a fun event that will introduce a draft bylaw drawn up by the city. The bylaw to promote safe longboard use will be shown to the user group.
The longboarding event will be held on Friday, June 27, 2014, between 1 and 3 pm, at the back lawn of city hall, rain or shine. The city will be serving hot dogs and soft drinks.
For those attending the event, there will be a draw to win a longboard that has been donated by Mayor David Formosa. A second prize is a helmet certificate donated by the Powell River Brain Injury Society.
Councillor Maggie Hathaway said councillors want everyone to turn out for that event.
“The objective is to discuss this proposed bylaw so everyone is on the same page and has opportunity for input on how the bylaw might affect them,” she said.
Formosa said the proposed bylaw is for skateboards and longboards within the city on streets and sidewalks.
“Instead of fighting with the kids we brought them in and a team of us talked with them and the RCMP.”
Formosa said the city has left the skate and longboarders alone but some were acting up.
“With this session we are telling the skateboarders and longboarders this is what will happen if they don’t abide. There will be new rules.”
The city has reviewed similar bylaws in other cities before writing its own draft which can be reviewed on the city’s website.
