Skateboards
Introduction
Faster than Walking, More Flexible than Biking: Skateboarding as a Real Mobility Mode (PDF) "You might associate skateboarding with teenagers flying around the neighborhood skatepark. However, a growing number of people use skateboards for a more utilitarian purpose: travel. Skateboards are part of the suite of human-powered sustainable travel modes and a relatively popular form of mobility for younger people.
Yet while skateboards can be just another way people get around, in some places, commuting on a skateboard can result in a trip to a courthouse. Skateboard travel regulations are challenging — they can be colored by existing, often negative perceptions of teens at skateparks, and from a planning standpoint, skateboard travelers introduce another unique user into the competition for travel space between drivers, bicyclists, pedestrians, and transit users. These issues make skateboard travel an interesting test case of the bounds of the concept of “complete streets.” "
Alternative Transport Option
Surfer Today explains that, "as there is no engine, fuel consumption, or large machinery parts of any kind, skateboarding is a way better commuting option than the cars we use regularly.
Additionally, it can help with the existing traffic problems we have seen in bigger cities.
While in traffic, running cars' engines emit harmful fuels, which can be prevented by encouraging skateboarding to travel from one place to another.
I know some of you are wondering what older people can do here as skating is most considered a sport for the young generation.
There is an easy solution here for that, too.
If you are familiar with electric skateboards, you might also know that it almost requires zero physical strength and attributes to ride one.
Some environmental issues also need to be solved with electric skateboards, as they run on the motor on batteries.
Still, in terms of efficiency and environmental pollution, an electric skateboard is way ahead in the game than any gas-powered vehicle."
Materials
The materials used to make skateboards are the biggest point of environmental impact, which in turn impacts landfills.
"Skateboard decks are made using Canadian maple trees, which take 40 to 60 years to mature. Millions are cut down and shipped out each year to meet rising global demand. With this, the environmental consequences of aggressive deforestation only worsen.
Bamboo skate deck companies claim to have a solution. Unlike Canadian maple trees, there is a surplus of bamboo, which only takes months to grow. It also grows back harder once cut down, which means stronger decks." - Dose Skate Boarding: Bamboo Skateboards: Raise the Bar or Not Up to Par
Wood Decks
While skate boards use only a fraction of the timber harvested by the lumber industry, and the lumber industry cuts down far less trees than the livestock and livestock feed industries, there is still an impact. Fortunately bamboo skate boards are beginning to become more available.
Trash
How Do You Make a Skateboard Out of Trash?
3:02 minute video
Ocean Plastic Products
Some manufacturers now offer more sustainable materials including ocean plastic which helps support efforts to remove plastic form our seas.
Companies Selling Sustainable Boards & Parts
Asia
China
FYS Factory Board makes a variety of boards including bamboo and hybrid boards.
LEPSK8 "we have spared no effort to create innovative skateboarding, longboarding products and gears, which bring fun to this energetic community. LEPSK8 always pays great attention to latest building technology and strives to provide with the high quality while affordable products, for each of players.
We also care about our planet, trying best to make use of more environmental-friendly material, such as bamboo, which grow fast and consume less resources. In our variety of skateboard board series, we combine bamboo veneers into our decks, which provide both toughness and great flex."
North America
USA
California
Arbor "was founded in 1995 to focus on the environment in the construction of the most mindfully crafted skateboards possible. For 25 years, we have used sustainable forest products to achieve this objective. Along the way, we select the most responsible processes and components possible.
Since day one, we have used proceeds from the sale of our line to fund the preservation of indigenous forests - giving back much more than we responsibly take out." Their products include bamboo boards.Bamboo Skateboards "Our boards are grown and harvested from sustainable, managed bamboo forests -- far from wild or protected panda communities.
Bamboo boards help reduce deforestation. Maple takes up to 60 years to mature. By contrast, bamboo grows up to two feet a day. Sustainable bamboo is the socially-responsible choice.
Bamboo skateboards are lighter and stronger than maple. So, you get more “pop” when performing tricks and refining your skills. Nothing performs better than bamboo.
Bamboo absorbs impact better than maple. Your naturally shock-absorbent bamboo skateboard will resist cracking and provide top performance far longer than maple."Evolve: Bamboo Electric Skateboards "features the best in old school craftsmanship to give you that traditional longboard feel with just the right amount of pop."