Letter: Share the sidewalk with longboarders

I’ll put it bluntly: I’d like people to share the sidewalks.

Longboarding has grown in popularity over the past couple semesters, and I am proud to include myself among the ranks of longboarders here on campus. It is a convenient way to travel to class, and if nothing else it is fun social activity as well. The types of longboards are as diverse as their riders, but they all have something in common: we need pavement to ride on.

As we all know, CSC’s sidewalks are congested while we are trying to move between classes. I try to be as respectful as possible to everyone else on the sidewalk, saying “Pardon me,” or “On your left,” as I pass. And most of the time, people will happily move to one edge of the sidewalk or the other.

But for the people who congregate in the middle of the sidewalk and refuse to move, this letter is for you: Move over please. Not only is it unsafe for all parties involved, it is just downright rude.

Longboarders don’t want to run anyone over, we understand that space is limited and that everyone is trying to go about their own business. But being forced to bail off your board to avoid running into anyone is uncalled for.

Longboarders aren’t the only ones affected by people’s refusal to move. Cyclists can’t use their bikes to get to class because of the same problem, a lack of cooperation and sidewalk space.

Unless Chadron State College wants to buy and pour down more cement, we have to share the sidewalks for the few remaining sunny days we have. Please be kind and move over if asked, it’s only the polite thing to do.

Daniel John
Sophomore of Arvada, Colorado