Home and Auto Skateboards: toys or transportation?

**Rain Man** · 07-10-2017, 08:30 PM

I must admit, I kind of chuckle when I see some guy in a beard kicking along the street on a skateboard. In my world, skateboards were a toy that you gave up when you turned 16 or so, along with your little green army men.

However, I walk a lot, and when I see one of these hipster adults kicking along on their skateboard, they're making pretty good time. As a means of transportation, they appear to be somewhere between walking and bicycling in terms of speed and/or efficiency.

So what's your take on it? Is a skateboard a viable means of transportation that should get the respect it deserves? Could a 50 year-old woman use one without shame? Or is it more of a young person's tool/toy that is more gimmick and image than a legitimate transportation option?

BlackHelicopters · 07-10-2017, 08:31 PM

Orthopedic surgeon's dream.

Pablo · 07-10-2017, 08:31 PM

You waited until you were 16 to give up your army men?

**Rain Man** · 07-10-2017, 08:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pablo

You waited until you were 16 to give up your army men?

It takes a long time to fully understand and operationalize small-unit tactics.

Shag · 07-10-2017, 08:41 PM

Legit transportation. Although, that may be influenced by spending a lot of time in beach towns where I see all sorts on skateboards. Been thinking about picking up a longboard myself.

Where would a OneWheel fit into this discussion? https://onewheel.com/

Pablo · 07-10-2017, 08:47 PM

They're a good way to hurt yourself from my experience. I have a car that seems to get me places just fine and I'm fond of my legs and arms and stuff.

Pablo · 07-10-2017, 08:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rain Man

It takes a long time to fully understand and operationalize small-unit tactics.

I had a set of plastic cowboys and indians and a big barnyard set. I've always hated Dallas so the native people scalped the shit out of those cowboys every single time.

stumppy · 07-10-2017, 08:51 PM

I loved playing with my green army men.

stumppy · 07-10-2017, 08:53 PM

My green army men combined with an ongoing lack of parental supervision, a can of lighter fluid, firecrackers and my BB Gun provided me with many many days of entertainment.

AssEaterChief · 07-10-2017, 08:55 PM

There is a ton of adult skaters in San Diego, especially here in Ocean Beach.

I know many people who ride and it seems legit enough to me.

On the other hand I've seen and heard many stories that would deter me from ever using one. They are just so risky... one nasty spill and we're talking about a good amount of road rash.

There are more and more stories of skateboarders getting killed by cars too.

EPodolak · 07-10-2017, 08:59 PM

Skateboarding was sort of dangerous when I was a kid, now with constant texting it's certain death.

Over Yonder · 07-10-2017, 09:00 PM

I didn't know that skateboards were still a "thing". I honestly can't think of when I seen my last one, maybe 1988? Just a guess. I live out in the sticks though, so its possible the trend is still happening in the real world

However, without an internal combustion engine, I'm gonna lean towards toy.

listopencil · 07-10-2017, 09:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stumppy

My green army men combined with an ongoing lack of parental supervision, a can of lighter fluid, firecrackers and my BB Gun provided me with many many days of entertainment.

Those old cans of hair spray worked really well as flamethrowers. My toys did not survive my childhood.

KS Smitty · 07-10-2017, 09:46 PM

True Story: my brother used his skateboard as transportation back in 1964 when he was wooing my sister in law. She says she could hear him coming by the sound of the skateboard. When he graduated to his 58 Pontaic she could really hear him. 51 years later he doesn't skateboard much but they're still married.

stumppy · 07-10-2017, 09:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by listopencil

Those old cans of hair spray worked really well as flamethrowers. My toys did not survive my childhood.

Oh yea ! There were times my back yard looked like the beaches of Normandy.

View Poll Results: Which statement best describes your stance on skateboards?
They are legitimate transportation and any human should feel free to use them at any time.	14	27.45%
They're a toy at heart, and should be reserved for young people, who should eventually stop using them when they grow up.	32	62.75%
My stance on skateboards is knees slightly bent, leaning forward.	1	1.96%
My expertise does not extend to this topic.	4	7.84%
Voters: 51. You may not vote on this poll

07-10-2017, 08:30 PM
Rain Man NFL's #1 Ermines Fan Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: My house Casino cash: $3368491 VARSITY	Skateboards: toys or transportation? I must admit, I kind of chuckle when I see some guy in a beard kicking along the street on a skateboard. In my world, skateboards were a toy that you gave up when you turned 16 or so, along with your little green army men. However, I walk a lot, and when I see one of these hipster adults kicking along on their skateboard, they're making pretty good time. As a means of transportation, they appear to be somewhere between walking and bicycling in terms of speed and/or efficiency. So what's your take on it? Is a skateboard a viable means of transportation that should get the respect it deserves? Could a 50 year-old woman use one without shame? Or is it more of a young person's tool/toy that is more gimmick and image than a legitimate transportation option?
Posts: 141,247

07-10-2017, 08:31 PM	#2
BlackHelicopters Spiraling down the Drain Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Dante's Ninth Circle Casino cash: $2760588	Orthopedic surgeon's dream. __________________ "We're both part of the same hypocrisy, Senator, but never think it applies to my family." "Fredo. You are my brother, and I love you. But never take sides against the Family again. Ever." 2019 Adopt a Chief - Travis Kelce #87
Posts: 31,659

07-10-2017, 08:31 PM	#3
Pablo Ultrabanned Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: KCMO Casino cash: $2069356	You waited until you were 16 to give up your army men?
Posts: 40,230

07-10-2017, 08:41 PM	#5
Shag MVP Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: San Diego, CA Casino cash: $2223342	Legit transportation. Although, that may be influenced by spending a lot of time in beach towns where I see all sorts on skateboards. Been thinking about picking up a longboard myself. Where would a OneWheel fit into this discussion? https://onewheel.com/
Posts: 5,138

07-10-2017, 08:47 PM	#6
Pablo Ultrabanned Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: KCMO Casino cash: $2069356	They're a good way to hurt yourself from my experience. I have a car that seems to get me places just fine and I'm fond of my legs and arms and stuff.
Posts: 40,230

07-10-2017, 08:51 PM	#8
stumppy New and Improved Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Springfield, Mo. Casino cash: $1538590	I loved playing with my green army men. __________________ “As a nation, we can endure damaging policies for a four-year term. But we cannot survive a president willing to terminate our Constitution”
Posts: 21,065

07-10-2017, 08:53 PM	#9
stumppy New and Improved Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Springfield, Mo. Casino cash: $1538590	My green army men combined with an ongoing lack of parental supervision, a can of lighter fluid, firecrackers and my BB Gun provided me with many many days of entertainment. __________________ “As a nation, we can endure damaging policies for a four-year term. But we cannot survive a president willing to terminate our Constitution”
Posts: 21,065

07-10-2017, 08:55 PM	#10
AssEaterChief Starter Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: SD Casino cash: $9992919	There is a ton of adult skaters in San Diego, especially here in Ocean Beach. I know many people who ride and it seems legit enough to me. On the other hand I've seen and heard many stories that would deter me from ever using one. They are just so risky... one nasty spill and we're talking about a good amount of road rash. There are more and more stories of skateboarders getting killed by cars too.
Posts: 865

07-10-2017, 08:59 PM	#11
EPodolak Spooky Action Join Date: Dec 2003 Casino cash: $2692558	Skateboarding was sort of dangerous when I was a kid, now with constant texting it's certain death.
Posts: 6,331

07-10-2017, 09:00 PM	#12
Over Yonder MVP Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: North Missouri Casino cash: $4801400	I didn't know that skateboards were still a "thing". I honestly can't think of when I seen my last one, maybe 1988? Just a guess. I live out in the sticks though, so its possible the trend is still happening in the real world However, without an internal combustion engine, I'm gonna lean towards toy.
Posts: 11,674

07-10-2017, 09:46 PM	#14
KS Smitty Cool as a Cucumber Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: on the edge Casino cash: $3666717	True Story: my brother used his skateboard as transportation back in 1964 when he was wooing my sister in law. She says she could hear him coming by the sound of the skateboard. When he graduated to his 58 Pontaic she could really hear him. 51 years later he doesn't skateboard much but they're still married. __________________ A D with Sneed is a D indeed.
Posts: 3,822