City of Vernon threatens longboarders with fines

The City of Vernon is telling longboarders to take their wheels elsewhere, saying longboarders speeding down city streets are putting themselves and drivers in danger.

"Everybody's nervous," says Clint Kanester, manager of bylaw enforcement.

"They don't want to see anyone run over or somebody back out of their driveway and have somebody slam into the side of their car."

Kanester says longboarders will be fined if they don't comply with bylaws that prohibit the long skateboards from city streets.

Local longboarder Bryan Reich, 17, says the city's attitude is too harsh.

"We're in control, we know how to stop, we know what we're doing, so I don't see the issue with it," Reich said.

Reich says longboarding gives young people an outlet and keeps them away from drugs or vandalism.

There have been several accidents in recent months in municipalities on Vancouver Island and the Lower Mainland.

In the most recent crash, a12-year-old boy was critically injuredafter riding into oncoming traffic on his longboard in Maple Ridge.

• Longboarder, 12, injured in Maple Ridge crash

Longboarding is a form of skateboarding in which riders descend steep hills using skateboards designed for the high-speed turns.

Longboards are legal under B.C. traffic laws, but some cities and municipalities in the province ban their use on public roads.