Skating Safety

Keeping with our motto, “Dedicated to Promoting Safe and Enjoyable Skating in the Northland”, please review the following safety tips.

Stay Alert

Your chance of being injured on inline skates will be greatly reduced if you are aware of potential hazards and you know how to avoid them. Whenever you skate, pay attention to your surroundings and keep your eyes and ears open. Don't let yourself be surprised by changes in the terrain or the unexpected actions of other people. Always skate under control and within your abilities. Avoid hills until you are ready for them. Remember that you will gain speed quickly on even a very small hill. Many people recommend against skating with headphones, because they block out sounds that can alert you to approaching danger. If you must skate with headphones, keep the volume low, and use headphones that don't block out surrounding noise.

Body Protection

Always wear your helmet, wrist guards, kneepads and elbow pads. Frequent skaters typically hit the ground 2 or 3 times a year. Your body protection will protect you when you have a close encounter with the pavement! When you can't avoid falling, try to fall in sand or grass, and fall forward onto your wrist guards and kneepads. A more advanced “survival” technique when falling is to “tuck and roll”.

Safe Skating Tips

Always use caution when skating in public areas with bicycles, cars, pedestrians, and other skaters. Learn basic skating skills before you attempt to skate in a public place. Learn how to turn, control your speed, fall safely, and most important, to stop. One of the most dangerous things on a crowded bike path is a skater who never learned how to stop! Always be conscious of others around you. Avoid sudden stops and last minute turns. You don't want to surprise anyone. When you're skating in an area with a lot of bicycle, skate or auto traffic, glance back over your shoulder every 10 or 20 seconds (remember - always be aware of your surroundings).

Around Bicycles: Be very predictable. Don't make any unexpected movements. Don't swing your arms and legs wildly back and forth as you skate -- many cyclists have been knocked off their bikes by careless skaters.

Around Pedestrians: Always yield to pedestrians. Be prepared for them to run in front of you or stroll obliviously across your path.

Around Children: Be prepared for ANYTHING. They will frequently run across your path when you least expect it. Slow down to a cautious crawl when you approach children on skates, foot or bicycles.

Around Dogs: Be cautious when you approach a dog on a leash. If the dog suddenly runs run across your path, you can find yourself skating toward a leash stretched out across the path in front of you.

Street Skating

Always be acutely aware that it is DANGEROUS to skate in the street. Skate in the bicycle lane on city streets (if skaters are allowed on bike paths in your city). Obey all traffic regulations. Whenever you approach a driveway, imagine a car speeding out, just as you're skating by. Whenever you approach a car parked on the side of the road, imagine someone flinging the door open just as you're skating by. Before you cross an intersection, look all around you for any car that could POSSIBLY turn in front of you.

Equipment

Wear good-quality, well-fitting skates that provide adequate ankle support. Check your skates regularly to make sure they're in good condition. Rotate your wheels when they wear unevenly. Replace worn out wheels and bearings. Replace your brake BEFORE it wears out. Make sure your wheels are securely tightened. Make sure your wheels are never blocked by debris or grass. Always have an all-purpose skate tool with you when you skate.