Skateboard for Everyday Travel: Travis
Travis Clayton has been using his skateboard to get around town since he used it to travel from home to school across his home town of Kettering, a journey of about 2 miles. Now in his 30s, he still rides his board as a means of transport. He also runs a skateboard shop and trains other riders on how to get the most out of their boards.
‘I used to catch the bus to school, but then I realised it was quicker on my skateboard,’ he says. ‘I could do the journey in under 20 minutes. Then at the end of the day, I could dash home, do my paper round and then be back out with my mates, all on my skateboard.’
Grab and Go
He is a great advocate for skateboarding as a mode of active travel.
‘Obviously it’s great fun to get on the ramps and perform tricks, but for me it’s just as exciting to use my board for travel. I get the same sense of excitement, because every journey is a challenge. You never know what’s going to surprise you, even if you’re doing a route you’re really familiar with.
‘The real benefit is the freedom it gives you, even more than cycling. There’s no delay while you get the bike out of the shed; with a board you just grab and go. Then when I get to the other end of my trip I can just lean it up against a wall – somewhere safe, obviously! I could even get on a bus or train with it.’
Better Infrastructure Needed
There are some drawbacks, of course. It’s not easy to go uphill, for instance, although Travis points out the same is true of bikes and it is doable. Rough ground can slow you down and the stop-start of negotiating kerbs, street furniture and other obstacles can also be a factor.
‘On a regular route you get used to where the hazards are,’ continues Travis. ‘I knew the best way to navigate my way to school, when to cross over to avoid the bumpy pavement and so on. One thing that would make a skateboard commute easier and safer would be designated routes, maybe not specific lanes for boards, but shared facilities with cycles and scooters. As it stands, you have to be aware of cars and other road traffic, and also pedestrians, dog walkers – everyone using the same space. I’ve lived in Australia and the USA, where this doesn’t seem to be such an issue. Better infrastructure would make a skateboard commute even quicker, too.’
Top Tips for Newbies
Travis has some good advice for anyone thinking about buying their first skateboard. It can be quite daunting to be faced with a choice of styles and designs.
- ‘I’d say don’t get too bogged down in the detail. Broadly speaking, something with soft wheels is going to help with rough ground, and a longer board is better for travel, while the shorter ones are better for tricks. Prices vary, and I’d recommend you don’t go for the cheapest option. You need to be spending at least £50. You could buy something from a general sports shop that seems like a bargain, but then in a few weeks you’ll have to replace the bearings, which could cost more than you paid for the board in the first place.
- ‘I really recommend you buy all the safety gear, too. You’ll need a helmet and pads, gloves and maybe a wrist guard, because surprisingly you’re more likely to hurt yourself on a commute than on the ramps. If you’re performing tricks you’re almost expecting to bail, especially when you’re learning, but on the road something unexpected can happen at any time and throw you off balance.
- ‘Learning to ride a board is much harder than cycling or scooting. It’s very easy to get discouraged, but I’d say stick at it, practise and get some training. The other thing is that if you buy a poor-quality board this might be the problem, rather than your skills. It’s about building confidence and being comfortable.
- Even if you’ve been skating on ramps, it’s worth having a couple of lessons if you decide to transition to travelling on your board. It’s a different set of skills and awareness. It’s also a good idea to get some knowledge about basic maintenance.’
Travis is perhaps older than what many people will think of as a skateboarder.
‘Yes, I’m a bit unusual round here, I suppose,’ he says, ‘and some people have a negative image of what a skateboarder is, more in the UK than in other countries I’ve lived in. The benefits outweigh any embarrassment, though.’
FOOTNOTE
Travis is talking here about conventional skateboards. E-skateboards are subject to the same restrictions as e-scooters, in that they cannot legally be ridden on UK roads or pavements. Conventional boards are fine, however, but check local bylaws. The Highway Code says: No person shall on any footway or carriageway skate, slide or ride on rollers, skateboards, wheels, mechanical contrivances or other equipment in such a manner as to cause danger or nuisance or give reasonable grounds for annoyance to other persons lawfully using the footway or carriageway.
Which Trips Would You Switch?
Even if you go everywhere by car, which trips would you consider switching to walk? What would inspire you or enable you to give it a go?
Our ‘Which Trips Would You Switch?’ series of case studies are based on interviews with people from Kettering, North Northamptonshire as part of the Brightwayz Get Down To Town project which aims to support, enable and promote more travel options for short journeys in the town.
The Get Down To Town project is funded by North Northamptonshire Council with funding from Active Travel England and is designed and delivered by Brightwayz social enterprise.
Here at Brightwayz social enterprise we love to provide information and tips to help you, your colleagues, friends and family travel in safe, active, sustainable ways for everyday journeys.
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