Police To Prosecute Downhill Skateboarder – Debate Over The Rights Of Cyclists And Skaters Rages

Round one of Lourenc’o versus Smith. This story is spicing up. As of yesterday Dec’io Lourenc’o is facing some serious charges for reckless endangerment, and JP Smith, Cape Town City Councilor and Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security, is behind it all.

Smith announced yesterday that the City of Cape Town would be laying a charge with the SAPS.

The case will be opened with the police and we will ask the director of public prosecutions to prosecute.

Before the downhill skateboarding maniac uploaded his videos on YouTube, all Cape Town motorists could talk about was the peril of reckless cyclists on the road. Typically, motorists complain that cyclists never ride in single file, change lanes as they please, obstruct “real” road users from using the road, and ride through red traffic lights. And yet – the argument often concludes – the city has spent millions creating cycling lanes – a positive move which has earned Cape Town acclaim. Why then has skateboarding not been given the same attention?

JP Smith, however thinks differently

Skating in an environment that is safe is one thing, he is engaged in a high speed exercise, with limited expectations. The issue is that he is engaged in reckless endangerment.

When we asked Lourenc’o his response to the view that he was endangering the lives of road users, as well as his own, he said,

I say to them, if they don’t fully understand the sport, them not knowing is what causes them to think I’m endangering others. If they were to realise my capabilities they would understand.

Smith suggests that skate parks are an amicable solution, but like Lourenc’o hit back.

Road skating is not the same as park skating. We skate in the street, we don’t skate parks. So if they are going to make a place for us to skate they are going to have to tar Table Mountain.

Smith refused to be concerned on the question of the validity of a cyclist’s right to use a road for transportation or recreation, versus a skater’s.

That is not the question, they are two separate debates and entering into debate about them would be dumbing down the issue.

His constant reiteration of Lourenc’o’s reckless endangerment leads him to this point:

The main argument is that bicycles have brakes, skateboarders do not. How does he control himself under such high speeds? In the video you can see he goes over the white line a couple of times, vehicles can swerve and he doesn’t have brakes to control his speed. Injuring himself is not my concern, injuring others is my concern.

Lourenc’o waits to be charged. Smith indicates that evidence against him will include but will not be limited to:

The YouTube video of him skating, the camera fine picture and his response to questions that have been published [in newspapers] recently.

What are your views? Do skateboarders have as much right to make recreational and transportational use of our roads as cyclists do, or not?

CLICK HERE for yesterday’s full length interview with Dec’io.

CLICK HERE to see the video that made Dec’io famous.

Erd

Speeding is speeding, I think skaters should be allowed on the road but I know first hand that if there was a tiny little rock in the road, he would of lost balance and probably smashed into incoming cars.

Dec’io saying “If they were to realise my capabilities they would understand” is extremely arrogant, its the same thing that BMW divers traveling at 200km/h say, just because you an excellent driver or skater doesn’t mean accidents don’t happen.
Get a grip

guys – you aren’t allowed to use the road for recreational use – even in a car – even if you don’t speed. FACT. I can’t race anyone in my car on the road, even if below the speed limit. Yet bicycles are allowed to use the road for RECREATIONAL USE. And now you’re saying skateboarders can’t??? Absurd!
The Commentator

Incidentally the english used here sucks – it is BRAKES not Breaks!

Twits!
http://twitter.com/DamienKasselman Damien Kasselman

I think that if he’s skilled enough to do what he did then he’s entitled to put his own life in danger. If Cape Town finds this illegal then develop an area where these adrenaline junkies CAN use their skills. The police are so quick to jump to a scene that’s made headline news but where were they when my house was broken into 4 times in 1 week. (caught the guy and released him the following day) Where were they when Dawnsy Mieny was chased to her death? I don’t think that every skater should now go speeding down hills, but if this is a sport where do you expect them to practice? I don’t find the way JP Smith is approaching the situation is right, I think he will find that Capetonians will stick together and fight his prosecution! Stop dwelling on the problem and focus on a solution!
clinton

If the cops catch him doing it then fine him, don’t waste everyone’s time trying to prosecute him based on some youtube clips.
Jason

I find it funny that a skater is causing more of a stir than the drunk driver who passed out at a robot… Man I love my country!
Jason

What about the drunk driver they filmed recently? Curious what your thoughts are on that…
Herp

Don’t throw the baby out with the birth water, guy.
clinton

same
Brian Hope

I think they are going to take away his skateboarding licence
Lawman

This chap shouldn’t be prosecuted. He deserves a medal, a glass of bells and a bottle of Mrs. Balls chutney. Period
Frank

Truth is that he is not roadworthy. No break lights, no brakes, no indicators etc. Control is somewhat limited. This isn’t safe – one time out of 10 he would come off – there is no way of controlling the skill level or testing it therefore there needs to be a blanket ban. If this is allowed then it is only a matter of time before people day. It really shouldn’t even be a debate
GARETH

No brakes? Did you see those epic power slides! His hands and wheels are brakes. Fixed gear bicycles don’t have brakes either and stop in a very similar manner. Controlling speed using the machine is an art form, a dangerous one, but effective.
DRG

Why is it the city’s responsibility to create a place for him to skate? I don’t demand they build me free squash courts – I pay for the facilities to participate in my sport. If he wants a dedicated downhill skating track, I’m sure all tax payers would be happy with HIM forking out the hundreds of millions to build it himself.
DRG

Right so if the cops don’t catch a criminal red-handed they shouldn’t prosecute? How myopic. How many criminals do you think would be locked up if that was a rule?
Tony Hawk

I skate and bomb hills. And take it from a skater, it doesn’t matter how bulletproof and skilled you think you are, there are certain things that are out of your control. Just youtube longboarding falls and you will see many examples. Stones on the road, a little patch of sand that makes you lose your grip during a turn, a dog, even a beetle as funny as it sounds. It’s an epic video to watch but the truth is he isn’t just endangering himself. The man was already speed wobbling, the slightest thing would have thrown him off balance. Imagine he falls while you are driving up Kloof Nek or another road and flies in front of your car. You will have to live the rest of your life knowing you have killed someone, and probably be charged with culpable homicide even though you did nothing wrong. Also 110km/h, get real. Just a thought.
Darryl Katz

Pathetic waste of tax payers money. Taxis, drunk drivers, unlicensed vehicles should be the priority. Skateboarders really?
mike

So what would have happened if he was taken out by a car and killed. The car driver would have had a culpable homicide charge, a lot of guilt, drama etc etc – Not to mention him possibly going through the windscreen of a car and killing an occupant ? – This oke must be locked up. plain and simple
Hank

What makes you think banning it will stop anyone from doing it anyway?