It is the intent of the director in adopting these skateboard regulations to acknowledge the dangerous impact that skateboarding on the capitol campus has to the health and safety of state employees, visitors, skateboarders, and the general public and the destructive impact it has on physical structures, roadways, and pathways on the capitol campus.
The following are some of the reasons why skateboarding on the capitol campus must be controlled:
(1) During recent years, the use of skateboards has increased dramatically. As a result, the department has been contacted by numerous employees and citizens complaining about the dangerous and destructive practices of skateboarders on the capitol campus grounds.
(2) Many skateboarders ride their boards in high volume areas and thus threaten the safety of pedestrians, motorists, and the skateboarders themselves.
(3) The director finds that skateboarding in such high volume or crowded areas, even if done in a nonnegligent manner, is incompatible with pedestrian use of these areas, due mainly to the speed and maneuverability of skateboards.
(4) Skateboard riders have ridden their boards down entrance and exit ramps of state underground parking facilities, sometimes against traffic, placing the skateboarders in serious danger and placing the motorists in a position of liability and possible harm. Skateboarders also have ridden their boards near doorways, nearly hitting pedestrians. In addition, skateboarders have ridden into state buildings jeopardizing occupants, and have ridden on walls, curbs, partitions, ramps, or other vertical and irregular physical surfaces, causing damage to state facilities and surfaces.
(5) The director finds that skateboarding in roadways and parking facilities and parking ramps creates a danger to the skateboard rider and to the motorist and is incompatible with motor vehicle use in such areas.
(6) The director finds that these skateboard regulations are necessary in order to avoid property loss, personal injury, and liability exposure associated with the use of skateboards on state property and within state facilities.
[WSR 19-14-004, recodified as § 200-260-160, filed 6/20/19, effective 6/20/19. Statutory Authority: 2011 c 43. WSR 11-23-093, recodified as § 200-200-160, filed 11/17/11, effective 11/17/11. Statutory Authority: RCW
46.08.150. WSR 92-09-076, § 236-12-160, filed 4/15/92, effective 5/16/92.]