This new technological breakthrough is designed to quickly and efficiently transport single passenger through busy downtown centers. The 4 wheeled self propelled device cause no pollution and emits no greenhouse gasses. The unique design and creative setup allows for use on both roadways and sidewalks and could help eliminate congested traffic. Now what if I were to tell you it’s not so new. It’s actually quite old and you have probably owned one at some point. This common simple yet effetive device is called a skateboard. Yes the kind of thing Bart Simpson rides around on causing trouble.

This past weekend I went to visit some friends in the downtown core of Toronto. From Saturday evening to Sunday afternoon all my travel arrangements were via a newer age Skateboard. Even on a skateboard it only took approximately 5- 10 minutes longer to get where I was going over the bus or the car. Sure I did have to propel myself forward using my own strength but that was kind of the fun part.

Some of the major benefits of skateboarding as a mode of transport include:

1. Fun, It really is a more interesting trip.
2. Exercise, You get quite a good workout during your travels.
3. No Green house Gasses, Or emissions of any kind for that matter.
4. Quick, In congested streets you can weave your way through traffic and stop lights and gradual down hills make for an effortless ride. Also one-way streets are your best friend.
5. No licensing, From teens to adults once enough practice has been put in anyone can use this device to get across the city.
6. Combos, When combined with public transport system (subway or bus) you can get near locations or navigate hilly sections with a bus or train ride and then hop on the skateboard and arrive at the door of your destination.
7. Size, The overall size of skateboards (even long boards) is quite small and that makes them very easy to bring with you. Bringing a board on the subway or bus requires pretty much no effort (not like a bike). Also you do not have to worry about parking or locking it up as you can just carry it with you into your destination.

Sounds amazing right, we’ll not so fast there are a few problems as well. The biggest problem I would say are motorists. I’m not sure what happens to people when they get behind the wheel of a car, maybe it’s the sense of power, the stress of driving downtown, or just an inane sense of urgency but drivers generally observe skateboarders as a nuisance and do their best to make your ride as uncomfortable as possible. In the last 2 weeks alone I have been dangerously cut off 5 times. Yelled at about 20 times and had cars come way closer to me then necessary countless times. The other day a woman actually passed me only to turn right directly in front of me (narrowly avoided). This of course was my fault I should have know that she needed to get to the dollar store so badly that she would try and kill me to get there. Other then that some things to look out for on a skateboard are, potholes, large cracks in roads and sidewalks, and going faster then you can handle.

This article comes on the hells of the purchase of a new board which I call a Skongboard, essentially a cross between a long board and a skateboard with has a slightly fatter and longer skateboard deck and long board trucks and wheels. This works perfect for transportation because I have the maneuverability and ollie power of a regular board combined with the speed of a long board both meeting in the middle. Skateboards aren’t just for teenagers and provide a viable alternative to commuting shorter distances to work or friends.