To want to skateboard to work?

[CarriesBucketOfBlood]

I work in a reasonably 'cool' area, think lots of hipsters and alternative mums etc. Work doesn't have a dress code, and I don't have to commute with much (no laptop etc).

In the last week I've seen three different people skateboarding once they get off the tube. One of the men works in my building (although a different office) and for me it's a 15 minute walk. By the time I get to work I can see him sat down at his desk drinking tea and eating breakfast. I also see him whizz off to the sandwich shop for lunch. My break is shortened because of the walk to and from the shops.

AIBU or crazy to think that I could learn to skateboard like him? Obviously not learn to do tricks, just as a mode of transport? I am in my 20s, I have ok balance (I don't fall over when we go ice skating). I considered a scooter but it looks too big/ heavy to take on two trains before I really would use it.

His skateboard is quite distinctive (very bright colours) so I had a quick look on Amazon and found the brand. They are about £30-40. Would I just be wasting this money? I think I'd have time to learn, a couple of hours each weekend. The pavements near work are usually quiet enough that the skateboarding commuters can pass by easy enough.

[kelda]

Why not? I know someone who uses a light weight scooter to scoot to work.

[SoupDragon]

I bought myself an adult sized scooter to do the school run on. It is such good fun (but only going to schools the homeward leg is uphill).

This last week I've also had to use it to scoot to Waitrose as my car was in the garage.

[StillStayingClassySanDiego]

I am 47 and perhaps a bit long in the tooth but I'll give you my opinion anyway.

Don't do it!

It might take you a while to get the hang of it, you'll have wasted money.
What if you fall and hurt yourself and can't work?
Will you wear a helmet or is that not hipster?

So many questions

[StillStayingClassySanDiego]

A scooter would look better too, less effort to maintain your balance.

[SoupDragon]

You can hang a shopping bag on the handles of a scooter. Two in fact.

[CarriesBucketOfBlood]

How much do the scooters weigh? I have a commute of 3 trains actually, one mainline and 2 tubes and I wrote off a scooter because all the adult ones looked like they would be very heavy, whereas I thought the skateboard would be lighter and fit in a rucksack.

StillStayingClassy I think I would probably wear a helmet all the time, definitely while I was practicing. That's a necessity for a scooter too, right?

[TiggyD]

Adults on scooters are just plain wrong. Give yourself a slap and stop thinking about it.

Skateboards are OK until you turn 30, then see above.

Also discount unicycles, those bouncy stilt things, space hoppers, Crocs, pogo sticks and those new segway type boards.

[Duckdeamon]

You can get fold up adult scooters!

[Mrsjayy]

Will it be an authenic 1970s skateboard though so much to think about

[Mrsjayy]

Oh get a space hopper set a new trend

[StillStayingClassySanDiego]

A helmet as well for a scooter, yes.

Go for it, you'll get fit too.

[Annaliesey]

Go for it!

[ItsAllGoingToBeFine]

An adult Micro Scooter (top of the range) is 4.7kgs

[Oysterbabe]

Are you a 14 year old boy? If not then yabu.

[poocatcherchampion]

Do it with a scooter. I wish I could!

[YeahOkayWhatever]

Skateboarding is hard. I'd suggest a scooter if you really must.

[CarriesBucketOfBlood]

This is the exact one that the man downstairs rides (I think). Same colours and design.

This is apparently the lightest adult scooter around. Does anyone know how they fold up?

Does anyone have any spare children/ teens floating around who could ask them how long it took to learn to skateboard? I can scoot already but I am slightly put off by the fact that when I was younger, I was playing on a scooter with a girl who lived up my road. She came off her scooter and the board part rotated 360° and smashed into her ankle and shattered it into about 10 pieces. The memory of seeing her now is making me feel a bit sick!

[noiwontstoptalking]

Roller skates would be safer (and excellent for muscle tone)

[OneInEight]

Sounds like fun! Am thinking skateboarding down Oxford Street (or any other busy street) might not go down well though.

[InTheBox]

It would be a long term investment because if you're a beginner you'll need quite a bit of practice before you can confidently 'speed off' iyswim. By all means buy one and learn.
I'll stick to power walking whilst listening to my iPod.

[SquareStarfish]

A mirco scooter folds and is very light. You wouldn't need practise or a helmet with it. You can't really fall off, one foot is only an inch off the floor and the other is pushing. If you 'crash' it would be like if you were running and 'crashed'. It's not like you are going on a half pipe with it.

A skateboard takes a long time to master and you could fall off and break bones in the process!

[SquareStarfish]

*wear. Missing word. Sorry

[OneDayWhenIGrowUp]

My uncle fell off a skateboard (as an adult) and broke his leg so badly he was in hospital for 3 weeks and off work for a few months. So just.... take care is all I'd say!

[RabbitsarenotHares]

Why don't you go and ask the man downstairs if he could give you a lesson to see how you get on? You might find you hate it, in which case it would be a shame to have wasted the money on buying a board.

I'm sure he wouldn't mind you asking. He can only say no.

[Theycallmemellowjello]

Is there a reason you don't want to cycle? I think adults on scooters and skateboards look ridiculous (and I also live in an area where there are some who do this).