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City of Belfast, ME
Waldo County
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Code
New Laws (26) Index Notes (1)
[Adopted 8-6-2013]
Skateboarding in the downtown area can be a dangerous activity when conducted on public ways and places. The purpose of this article is to protect the public health and welfare by prohibiting or limiting skateboarding activities in certain public areas within the municipality.
DOWNTOWN AREA
That area of the City of Belfast which lies within the Route 1 bypass area.
PUBLIC WAY
Includes all roads, streets, avenues, lanes, alleys, municipally owned parking lots, public easements, paths and sidewalks. "Public way" also includes privately owned parking lots which are open to the public (whether free or for charge) for parking. This term does not include privately owned roads, driveways and areas not open to the general public.
SKATEBOARD
A single platform which is mounted on wheels and ridden in a standing or crouching position, and having no mechanism or other device with which to power, steer or otherwise control the direction of movement thereof while being used, operated or ridden. For the purposes of this article, the term "skateboard" shall include in-line skates, roller skates and other similar devices.
Use of skateboards in all public areas must adhere to the following:
(1) 
There shall be no use of skateboards in the following areas:
a. 
On Main Street from its intersection with Lincolnville Ave. (Route 52) to the water's edge at the public landing:
b. 
On the Harbor Walk from the Boat House to the Armistice Bridge; and
c. 
On any sidewalk located within the downtown area.
(2) 
When traveling on a public way, the operator of a skateboard shall travel as far to the right as safely possible.
(3) 
When traveling on a public street, avenue, road or alley, the operator of a skateboard shall obey all rules of the road to include speed, appropriate right-of-way issues, stop signs, traffic lights and pedestrian cross walks.
(4) 
Skateboards shall observe all rules of the road, including but not limited to:
a. 
Stop signs.
b. 
Yield signs.
c. 
Traffic lights.
d. 
Rights-of-way at intersections.
e. 
Speed.
(a) 
No person shall operate a skateboard, in-line skates, roller skates, or other similar device in any public area (including the City skate park) or public way within the City of Belfast, in a reckless fashion so as to be a danger to the health, safety or welfare of such operator or other persons or property.
(b) 
Reckless conduct may include, but is not limited to the following acts:
(1) 
Operating to the left or swerving from left to right on any public way.
(2) 
Darting in and around stopped or moving vehicle traffic.
(3) 
Passing a stop sign at excessive speed.
(4) 
Failing to stop at traffic lights or to obey any road signs.
(5) 
Traveling at excessive speed.
(6) 
Use of ramps or obstacles within any public way.
Any police officer may enforce the provisions of this article.
Any person who uses a skateboard or other similar device in a manner not in compliance with any provision of this article shall be deemed to have committed a civil violation and shall be subject to the following enforcement actions and penalties:
(1) 
Operation in prohibited areas.
a. 
Any person who operates a skateboard or other similar device on Main Street or on any sidewalk where such use is prohibited shall be subject to a fine of $25 for each occurrence.
b. 
Fines must be paid to the City Clerk's office within 30 days. If a fine becomes delinquent, the amount due will automatically increase to $50.
c. 
If fines remain unpaid for a period of 60 days or more, the individual cited will lose the privilege to operate a skateboard in the downtown area (including the skate park) until all fines are paid.
d. 
If an individual operates a skateboard or other similar device within the downtown area during a time that his/her privileges to do so are revoked, the individual shall surrender his/her skateboard or skates to the Belfast Police Department for a period of not more than 10 days.
(2) 
Reckless operation.
a. 
Any person who operates a skateboard or similar device in violation of Section 50-114 of this article shall be subject to a fine of $250 and shall be summonsed to court for a civil violation.
b. 
The officer investigating the incident shall draft a report and submit it to the Chief of Police and the Belfast City Attorney.
c. 
Upon conviction of a reckless operation violation, and in addition to the penalty of $250, the person responsible shall lose his/her privilege to operate a skateboard or other similar device in the downtown area for a period of 30 days.
d. 
If an individual operates a skateboard, in-line skates, roller skates or other similar device within the downtown during a time that his/her privileges to do so are revoked, the individual shall surrender his/her skateboard or skates to the Belfast Police Department for a period of not more than 10 days.