[In this message, Ulrich quoted extensively from a substantial American website devoted to the question of how to legalize street-skating. What follows is just a small extract. To explore this rich resource in depth, click here.] Here is a little bit more information on how to fight the existing legislation banning skating from public roads.   Steps to Legalize Street Skating This site is intended as an information source for individuals and groups, interested in the legalization of street skating or for those fighting a skate prohibition both street or sidewalk. In general, the underlying rationale for legislation is to keep children from playing in the street. Sidewalk prohibition typically is an attempt to prevent damage from aggressive skating. It may be a response to a recent well publicized skate related accident. The best counter argument is that, like bicycling, skating is a legitimate form of adult fitness and transportation.   The First Step It's hard to go it alone. Even if you're willing to do all the work, it's more effective to work within an existing advocacy organization. Typically skate clubs are too small for advocacy. Most municipalities actively seek Federal TEA21 financial support for non-motorized transportation initiatives. They work with bicycle and pedestrian organizations to draw up funding requirements. One gets the most bang for the effort by convincing Bike/Ped Activists, that skating falls within their alternative transportation scope of interests. Fortunately some of the 'writing effort' has been done. Skating: An Emerging Mode of Transportation is, arguably, the best paper available that documents skating as a legitimate form of non-motorized transportation. It is an excellent support resource for non-motorized transportation advocates.   Convincing Those Who Write the Regulations Securing the support of a recognized Advocacy Organization will, hopefully, get you past the door of a fitness friendly Legislator. Lawmakers are typically not opposed to supporting legislation that has no budget requirement, if they sense no down side. Unfortunately, Officials visualize the news headline: "Skater paralyzed after collision with car". Skating and Public Policy Position Paper addresses this concern. This paper coherently presents the pros, cons, accident statistics, and legislation of street skating. Recently, 'Skating and Public Policy' was use to successfully support the passage of Virginia House Bill 2173.   Looking Forward... It is common knowledge that there are few restrictions on bicycling on U.S. roads. It's less well known why bike laws are so similar across the United States. The League of American Bicyclists (LAB) is the primary support group for this legislation. LAB is a member of the National Committee on Uniform Traffic Laws and Ordinances (NCUTLO). NCUTLO maintains the Uniform Vehicle Code and Model Traffic Ordinance (UVC). The UVC is the baseline for State and Federal road use legislation By introducing bicycling legislation into the UVC, LAB was able to grease the legislative skids. Often cycling legislation becomes local legislation automatically, as legislators 'cut & paste' from UVC to local code. A few years ago, the authors of 'Skating and Public Policy' presented the paper to the LAB NCUTLO Representative. Working under his guidance and in coordination with the International Inline Skating Association (IISA), we developed street skating code for presentation to the NCUTLO. The IISA director applied for, and is now a voting member in NCUTLO. Go to the website! Ulrich Gautier