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.

patterkiller i also had a pair of rollerboots just like that in the 80,s i loved them! i see a lady everday who must live near me scooting home from work always makes me smile!

Do it! I grew up in a place where loads of people skate & it's not unusual to see adults skateboarding with their kids or into town or whatever.
Just as a quick guide, my youngest DD (9) can't ride a bike to save her life but learnt to skateboard in 2 days.
Also I haven't RTFT so apologies if already mentioned, but kids don't tuck their boards into rucksacks they lie them in the gap between the bag & their back. This means that the muck on the wheels doesn't get on any of your stuff.

Lots of people used to scoot past me on my old commute (around Blackfriars). I was jealous as I plodded on.

My son is 11, he's just got a penny board, which is a lighter weight scooter & easier to manage, but as an adult you'd have to get the biggest size & they are not cheap!

I mean board, not scooter.

I vote roller skates!!!!!!

DH bought a pair of roller blades in a fit of enthusiasm on Santa Monica Boulevard, where everyone looks cool roller blading and thought he would use them to skate to work. He didn't take into account he worked in Central Croydon. He only did it once.

Iv seen the mini segways at a event I went to with dp cost about £500 each the group ended up with the name segway penis's turned out that the group was sidemen iv seen a lady rolletskate in my local area and mum's on children's scooter after dropping them off

OP did you get a board?

OP, I would get a scooter. Skateboarding is very hard to learn even on a quiet and level street - it'll take month to perfect it to the level where you can go among people. A scooter you can learn to master to this level in about an hour.

I think adults on scooters look exactly like everyone else: adults getting somewhere (and probably enjoying it much more than those who are walking and judging them). And in any case: what does it matter what everyone else thinks?

What?! Don't try it because it's hard to learn?!

That's how you can tell what's worth doing! Skateboarding (and in particular Longboarding) looks so damn cool precisely because it's a bit of a challenge!

Any chump can learn to cruise (points to self) but yes, learning to gracefully cross-step and pivot is something else, as is leathering up and learning to power slide.

Anyone can skate. Everyone is allowed to, doesn't matter who you are or how old you are.

OP, I hope you've got a beautiful cruiser and have been out in the sunshine today!

Indomitable, the OP was looking for a way to speed up the walking part of her commute not for a challenge, I think. But I would never say don't do it because it's a challenge. I'm just saying that if she buys a scooter, she can go to work on in the next day; if she buys a skateboard, she can use it for commuting in 6 months. Depends on her priorities really. And on how important it is for her not to get injured, as she would have innumerable falls off a skateboard while learning, whereas she'd have to be exceptionally unlucky to have any accident with a scooter.

Realistically, being proficient in a skateboard is much harder than using skates (especially the 4 wheel boot rather than in-line) and the scooter. If i were you i'd try a skateboard to look for any latent talent but i would set my sights on skates or scooter for commuting purposes.

Have fun whatever you try