LA Slaps Speed Limit On 'Bombing' Skateboards

Skateboarders in Los Angeles are to be banned from going faster than 25mph as city councillors attempt to stop the fad of "bombing", it has been reported.

"Bombing" - the practice of darting downhill at high speeds, sometimes while weaving in and out of traffic, has been increasing in popularity.

Now, skateboarders will have to abide by the same rules as cyclists, stopping at stop signs and giving way to vehicles and pedestrians.

Councillor Joe Buscaino, who initiated the proposal, told the Los Angeles Times it was a response to the deaths of two skateboarders in the past year.

He said he is also looking at plans to give police the power to confiscate skateboards, to prevent young people who break the rules from hiding the information from their parents.

"The parents can go to the police station and recover the skateboard," he said.

Diana Nave, president of the Northwest San Pedro Neighbourhood Council , praised the plans, saying skateboarders in her community have been "weaving in and out of traffic, or they have come out of nowhere because they're moving so rapidly".

Mike Horelick, owner of Santa Monica-based Tunnel Skateboards , said it was reasonable to expect skateboarders to stop at stop signs.

But he expressed doubts about a speed limit, noting that cyclists do not have to observe one.

"Skateboarders can't tell exactly how fast they're going. If you're driving, you look at the speedometer. But if you're a skateboarder, you're looking at the road in front of you," he said.