Rebels Without A Metrocard

There's a group of guys, younger than Tony Hawk but older than your average skater punk, who refuse to give up their skateboards -- though admittedly they say they have nothing to rebel against anymore. Skateboarding doesn't have to be about rebelling though, sometimes it can just be about...commuting?

Bikers aren't the only ones finding a better way to move around this city, turns out the skateboard is helping grown men get to work -- and possibly hang on to a bit of their youth. The Observer recently tailed around a couple of these guys, one likening his mode of transport a "magic carpet".

Mr. Mahe doesn’t ride to work every day (“Some days it’s all you can do to find your way to the train,” he said), but he has joined a contingent of late–20-something and 30-year-old skateboarders who are riding the concrete waves of New York and Brooklyn on planks of wood atop polyurethane wheels.

There's an entire community of these older skaters and they're not trying to grind down rails anymore or do tricks that may land them in the ER (or on that MTV show Scarred). Most have always skated, so it's an obvious method of trying to get to work...and perhaps they look a little cooler doing it than that guy on the Segway. They're also burning calories and wearing heart-rate monitors -- making cardio edgy! Twice a year they even join in unsanctioned rides: "one in Central Park and another called the Broadway Bomb, during which about 100 mostly adult participants race down Broadway in extra safety gear, including helmets and knee and elbow pads. (They’re not as spritely as they used to be.)"

What's more...the skateboards can go just as fast as bikes, and you don't have to worry about locking it up or getting it stolen. As the caption for the above photo states, "Well, I guess they can keep skateboarding until the first issue of the AARP magazine comes in the mail."

Photo via rukii's flickr.

Contact the author of this article or email tips@gothamist.com with further questions, comments or tips.

By Jen Carlson in News on October 3, 2007 11:55 AM

Comments [rss]

robingee

Good for them!

guest

What's the big deal?? I skate at night, when the streets are empty and it's awesome! Skating has nothing to do with age or profession. It's your attitude towards life and really, it clears your head, kind of like yoga.

Am just so tired of hearing that skating is just for little boys/ kids. People with that attitude sound just like THEIR parents.

http://xadness.com

guest

i'm 20 & i ride a longboard to work on nice days. or just around. it's nice. nicer than the subway anyway.

guest

Nothing says winner better than a 38 yo on a skateboard...

krispayne

I ride my skateboard to work very often, I like it because I can go through the cars easier than on my bike, and it's a lot faster than walking without any of the bullshit involved with a bike. And, I run pretty slick bearings and there is no way it's as fast as my bike.

guest

I can't help but laugh when I see these guys, but as long as they (and hipsters with scooters) stay off the dang sidewalks, I don't really care.

SideWALK, get it? Nuff said.

Hope they have good health coverage.

guest

are the streets even smooth enough to ride on?

i've seen skateboarders fall off while their board keeps rollin down the street with cars driving by. thats not exactly a safe situation.

Leon Freilich

WOMEN ALL KNOW

Boys will be boys

Time and again.

Boys will be boys

And so will men.

RatherBeBiking

"the skateboards can go just as fast as bikes"?

Are you kidding me? Gothamist, please reread that and edit it.

darkshark

"the skateboards can go just as fast as bikes"?

i dunno what bikes you're riding, but i'm afraid this is not the case.

MarygraceNYC

I think that it is awesome. People should do whatever makes them happy getting to work. Better for the environment, makes for tighter butts on guys! I am in. No problems there. Gay or not, a nice ass is a nice ass. Go for it boys ; >