Skateboarding is most commonly thought of as a recreational activity, but there is evidence thatskateboards can and are being used for intentional, utilitarian travel. Small, but not insignificantmode shares in the low single digits have been found at some college campuses. The potential ofskateboards to be used for transportation could be relevant to those interested in promoting activetravel. Also, the presence of skateboarders on travel facilities could have implications ontransportation professionals and how they accommodate all users. Understanding whyindividuals have selected this unconventional mode of travel could shed some light on whether itmight expand in use as a mode, and if so, by what kinds of travelers and where. Factors leadingto the mode choice of skateboarding were investigated through surveys and interviews ofskateboard commuters at the University of California, Davis. Skateboarders appear to be mostlymotivated by utilitarian concerns. They find skateboards convenient, moderately fast, andflexible in terms of where they can be ridden and their ability to be used in tandem with othermodes. That skateboarding is fun is also important, highlighting that skateboarders are notmotivated by purely practical concerns however. Skateboarding shares attributes with othermodes, however in a unique combination. This could indicate that skateboarding could bemeeting travel preferences not provided by more typical modes of travel.
展开▼
