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