Supply chain management junior Cyrus Famili said he rides his longboard all the time when the weather is warm, but is forced to pick it up and walk at times because of the crowded sidewalks.
Famili said he doesn’t have another option because there are no designated spots for longboarders to ride as opposed to bikers, who have designated lanes.
MSU police Sgt. Florene McGlothian-Taylor said longboarders are not allowed to be on the roadway in the bicycle lanes.
According to a university ordinance, violators could potentially receive a ticket for a civil infraction.
The ordinance states, “no person on roller skates, roller blades, or a skateboard, or riding in or by means of any coaster, toy vehicle or similar device, shall go upon any roadway except while crossing a street within a crosswalk.”
Famili said he used to ride in the bike lanes on the street until a friend of his had to pay a fine for doing so.
Eric Schmidt, manager at Modern Skate & Surf, 319 E. Grand River Ave., said the shop has seen a huge increase in longboard sales throughout the past several years.
He said he expects the growing trend will continue to influence the uptick in traffic complications.
Construction management sophomore Luke Dubois said longboarders slow down the flow of walking traffic when they weave in and out of people on the sidewalks.
He said it is not rare to see someone riding out of control on campus.
Famili said he has been in his fair share of crashes on his board after losing control.
“I took out my supply chain professor once when I was riding a hit a bump and flew off into him,” Famili said.
Journalism sophomore Erin Eschels said being hit by people longboarding on the sidewalk is a constant worry for walkers.
“They’re annoying when you’re trying to walk,” Eschels said. “I’ve never actually been hit by one, but I always feel like I’m going to be.”
