Medicine Hat teen skateboarding (Photo courtesy Teagan Rasche)

By Teagan Rasche

LegalizeSkateboardingMH

Local teen campaigning to legalize skateboarding downtown

Jun 1, 2021 | 10:09 AM

MEDICINE HAT, AB – 15-year-old Noah Cobbehoggan and his friends like to skateboard together.

But whenever they do it downtown, he says they get kicked out.

“I think sometimes people forget that we’re still just kids, kids trying to have fun,” Cobbehoggan said. “We’re not here to annoy people or get in people’s ways. We’re just here to have fun.”

Being regularly kicked out sparked an idea.

IN THE COMMUNITY

Medicine Hat's Adopt-A-Rink program still seeking volunteers

16h ago

HOLIDAYS

Medicine Hat Kiwanis hosting Christmas dinner

Dec 06, 2024

IN THE COMMUNITY

CHAT News producer makes 'emotional' return to Medicine Hat's old arena

Dec 06, 2024

Six months ago, Cobbehoggan created LegalizeSkateboardingMH. A social media movement to legalize skateboarding in downtown Medicine Hat.

A bylaw in effect since 2004 has prohibited the activity

Davie James with the Medicine Hat Skateboard Association says it’s wonderful to see the youth in town care so much.

And he’s encouraging their effort.

“Why can’t we use a skateboard?” James said. “When we can ride a bike but not use a skateboard while we’re going through downtown.”

Logo for LegalizeSkateboardingMH (Photo courtesy LegalizeSkateboardingMH)

For a daily skateboarder like Cobbehoggan, it’s a form of transportation, same for a lot of his peers. He says there are a lot of benefits to his cause.

“It’s great physical activity, it’s been proven to drive out crime and it brings a lot of customers to local businesses,” Cobbehoggan said.

Inspector Brent Secondiak with Medicine Hat Police says the bylaw was likely created because of safety precautions.

“Our concern is always interaction between vehicles and pedestrians and if you include a skateboard as a vehicle, it could be potential for collision,” Secondiak said. “We want to ensure the safety of the downtown core but if they can come up with a solution for that, we’re all supportive of that.”

The next step for LeaglizeSkateboardingMH is to raise the issue with city council.

“We’re really encouraged that this young man really had the courage to see what he thought was an issue or problem and he’s bringing it forward to lawmakers with the city which is great to see,” Secondiak said.