Skateboarders, council to meet?

Press, 6 April 1989, Page 9

Skateboarders, council to meet?

Christchurch skateboarders, parents and teachers will be invited to a public meeting to discuss an area for skateboarding. The growing use of footpaths, the Victoria Street amphitheatre and even streets by skateboarders has prompted Cr Ron Wright to seek the meeting in a bid to find a safe place for them.

He believes one of the council’s parking buildings could be available when not being used for parking.

“The M.O.T. cannot do anything because they are not vehicles. I have seen them using the roadway, which is not safe for them or motorists,” Cr Wright said.

He said primary school teachers and principals could play a role in finding a skateboard area and encouraging board riders to use it. The council’s works and traffic committee backed

his call for a meeting.

Motor-cycles

Meter parking for motor-cycles will be given a trial outside the Canterbury Public Library. Meters will be installed to provide space for about 10 motor-cycles at a rate of 10c for 30 minutes. The trial follows a protest by the Canterbury branch of the Bikers’ Rights Organisation a month ago at the lack of parking for motor-cycles in the central city. Lights The committee will investigate ways of encouraging central city retailers to light their verandas at night. Cr Ron Wright wants verandas, particularly those north of the square, to be illuminated. Next month a representative of Southpower will meet councillors to discuss how this could be sold to retailers.