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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To want to skateboard to work?

113 replies

CarriesBucketOfBlood · 04/09/2015 08:25

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.

OP posts:
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Hackersschmakers · 04/09/2015 09:29

I think scootering adults look silly, sorry. I work in the city though, it is definitely not hipster but dull and corporate so people on scooters just look very odd.

If you can away with it without looking like a wolly, go for it.

icklekid · 04/09/2015 09:33

A friend had a skateboard like that and had a great time until she broke her arm...caution definitely required!

Gileswithachainsaw · 04/09/2015 09:34

Who gives a shit what people think. they can walk drive cycle whatever they want to. no reason why you should have to do the same just so strangers who don't know you don't think your strange.

if you want to skate board. bloody get your skateboard!!!

SoupDragon · 04/09/2015 09:35

Adults on scooters are just plain wrong

Gosh, you sound dull.

Pooseyfrumpture · 04/09/2015 09:35

Scooter would be easier to learn than a skateboard.

Given that you are going to look dubious anyway, would you consider roller blades? I'm sure you can get adult heelies as well - that way you wouldn't even need to stop to change.

Petallic · 04/09/2015 09:35

YANBU - providing you can do it whilst looking effortlessly cool & relaxed about it whilst weaving your way around people. But I may not be the best judge - first time I saw someone cross the road and suddenly start sliding in their Heelys I nearly jumped out of my car to chase them down I thought they were so fab easily impressed

SoupDragon · 04/09/2015 09:37

A work colleague once broke his arm, on foot, when he was blown over on a particularly windy corner near the office.

That said, I think scooters are safer because they have a brake and are easier to balance on.

MischiefInTheWind · 04/09/2015 09:43

Try it out and see what you think. Tha advantage of adults skateboarding to work seems to be that you can use your phone at the same time.
I regularly see young adulst on boards, the added advantage of Brighton is that they often use the cycle lanes and it's mostly downhill in the mornings. Grin

Original poster
CarriesBucketOfBlood · 04/09/2015 09:49

The thought of adult heelies has got me very excited. I could actually use the in the office too, we have a big warehouse with nice long walkways to use them in.

Speaking to the man downstairs is a good thought too. We are right next to a huge park so maybe he'd let me have a go during a lunch break or something.

I looked at folding bikes but they are £££ and non folding ones aren't allowed on the trains. It's only for the 15 minute walk the other end really, too far to cycle to work from the London terminus so I don't think I could justify the cost.

OP posts:
MummaGiles · 04/09/2015 10:16

I'm clearly against general opinion here, but there are a few people I see on my commute that I see using scooters etc and my OH and I call them man-children. You're an adult. It's a 15 minute walk. Don't get a skateboard.

Gileswithachainsaw · 04/09/2015 10:18

Why?
Is there a law we don't know about? do shops not sell these things to over 20s?

the joy if being an adult is you cab decide for yourself surely? and hopefully by then have the confidence to not follow the sheep.

SoupDragon · 04/09/2015 10:20

There are a few people I see giving disapproving looks when I scoot to school. I call them boring old farts.

FatalFemme · 04/09/2015 10:20

If you can ice skate, I'd go for roller skates

MothertotheLordsofmisrule · 04/09/2015 10:25

You want to skateboard - go for it.
Just wear a helmet and look where you're going. end of mum nag

I would like to be borne aloft by an adoring crowd for my trip to work

Failing that a piggyback from Johnny Depp.Grin

Original poster
CarriesBucketOfBlood · 04/09/2015 10:31

MothertotheLord you should get the Northern line with me. I am basically carried off the tube at Camden. They sadly don't adore me though.

OP posts:
HedgehogAtHome · 04/09/2015 10:36

There are a few people I see giving disapproving looks when I scoot to school. I call them boring old farts.

Good on you! Jesus, according to some you hit 30 and then have to limit yourself. Nothing wrong with being 'boring', I am in no way hip or exciting, but if I saw a grown woman enjoying her scoot/skate to work I'd think 'good for her' and be a bit jealous.

Roller skates sound fun too. Plus you'd have so much toning going on.

BrendaFlange · 04/09/2015 10:46

If you like the idea, give it a try!

Borrow a skateboard and have a go in the park, and see if you master the basics after a week or two.

That style of board is known as a Penny Board and they are easier to ride and smaller and lighter to carry than other decks. Make sure you buy one that is made for adult weight. Many work-friendly rucsacs have straps designed to carry your board on the outside of the bag, to avoid putting wet wheels in with your stuff.

As for who looks silly using them - it's an efficient and fun mode of transport that uses no fossil fuels and will keep you fit. Imagine if girls were told 'oh no, unless you are a 14 yo boy you look silly on a skateboard' or 'skateboards are for girls and men'. How narrow minded of anyone to think this!

Just make sure you are not a hazard to anyone else and give it a whirs!

(I have tried, and failed, so am not evangelising as a skater Wink )

Sgtmajormummy · 04/09/2015 10:48

The other day I saw a Segway style skateboard which CAME APART into separate foot Segways. Awesome. DS tells me they're called Hovertrax.

However it was being ridden by an equally awesome 25yo.
Can you compete OP?

patterkiller · 04/09/2015 10:52

Do it. DH bought me these for my 30th, although I don't commute, I do go out and play with my DCs. I'm sure the neighbours think I'm bonkers but I know they are all secretly jealous

To want to skateboard to work?
SoupDragon · 04/09/2015 10:55

Those are almost exactly the same as the ones I had in the 1980s :o

Fluffy40 · 04/09/2015 10:55

Put the money towards a bike.

patterkiller · 04/09/2015 10:59

Get some again soupdragon It does wonders for your bum.

Eva50 · 04/09/2015 11:10

I'm sure the neighbours think I'm bonkers but I know they are all secretly jealous

There's a Dad that does the school run here on either a skateboard or a scooter each day. Part of me is utterly horrified and the other part quite jealous.

SoupDragon · 04/09/2015 11:13

patterkiller I live on a hill. I need something with brakes :)

SoupDragon · 04/09/2015 11:15

Put the money towards a bike.

A bike is completely different to something like a scooter or skateboard and completely inappropriate for what the OP wants it for.

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